Home of (late) H & R Block Co-Founder to be 37th Kansas City Symphony’s Designers’ Showhouse

The Bloch Family home located at 6315 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO is owned by Annette and the late Richard Bloch and will be a fundraiser for the Kansas City Symphony April 29th- May 21st, 2006. The Junior Women’s Symphony Alliance is an auxiliary that coordinates the project, which is one of the country’s longest running Showhouse projects. The public can preview the undecorated Showhouse as well as shop from about a dozen vendors who will also feature Valentine themed products January 28th & 29th.

This Showhouse is significant because of the prominence of the family name, the accessibility and prestigious location of the House. JWSA President Linda Mitchell is excited because of the increased traffic potential, "We have great visibility on Ward Parkway with the Bloch family home. Thanks to Annette Bloch who has loaned us her wonderful home, Symphony Designers' Showhouse XXXVII should be a huge success. The Bloch family has had such an impact on our community and country. There are many Cancer Survivor Parks across the country similar to the one west of the Plaza. Recently Ms. Bloch gave a huge donation to the University of Kansas Heart Center for Advance Heart Care. By allowing us to use their stately home with its' spacious grounds, they are now helping us to raise money for the Kansas City Symphony. JWSA members are all eager to be involved with this project.”

The mansion was built in 1925 and was purchased by the Bloch family in 1957. The house has over 40 interior and exterior design areas. It sits on 4 residential lots with a pool, gazebo, cabana and tennis court. The pool is believed to be the first in-ground pool in Kansas City. However, it is in disrepair. If a pool company is not found to repair the pool, it will be covered. The 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom house is currently on the market.

Last year’s Amateur Designer Contest will be replaced with an opportunity to win the furniture in a specific room. Most of the furniture in the designated room will be available during a silent auction. Visitors, who often wish they could take a room in the house home with them, can do so this year, for a price. They can bid on the specific room and win some of the furniture and the services of a Design Consultant from Johnson County Community College in order to recreate the room in their home.

There will be a Boutique with over 50 vendors and a lunchroom with food and beverages provided by local businesses and restaurants when the Showhouse opens April 28th- May21st. Special Events will include the 2nd year of the art contest where youth and adults will present their renditions of the Showhouse in the medium of their choice and will sell the winning artwork. There will also be a Port-A-Potty Decorating Contest among other events.

Preview hours are 10:00-4:00 Saturday and 12:00-5:00 Sunday. The cost is $5.00 at the door. Tickets for the tour this Spring are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. New this year is a multi-visit ticket for $25.00 which allows 1 visit to the Preview and 2 visits to the decorated House. They are available online and at the Preview. All tickets can be purchased online at this time.


For more information visit: www.showhouse.org. Or call: 816-968-9711