Architecture-led renovations reshape Kansas City’s most storied country clubs.
Words
Megan Felling
ansas City is home to a number of storied and elegant country clubs throughout the metro area, long valued for recreational offerings such as golf, swimming, and tennis. Beyond these pursuits, clubs provide a broader range of amenities, with the clubhouse serving as the social heart—a place to gather, celebrate milestones, and spend time with friends and neighbors. For many members, it’s truly a home away from home.
As member lifestyles and interests continue to evolve, many area country clubs are reinvesting in their facilities, upgrading and refreshing amenities to better reflect how members live today while still honoring the traditions that define them.
Oakwood Country Club
@oakwoodcc_kc
Architecture and Landscape Design
NSPJ Architects
@nspjarchitects
Photos
Scott Powers
@scotty.p.kc
As member lifestyles and interests continue to evolve, many area country clubs are reinvesting in their facilities, upgrading and refreshing amenities to better reflect how members live today while still honoring the traditions that define them.
Founded in 1881, Oakwood Country Club is undergoing a thoughtful transformation under new ownership—one that blends its storied history with a vibrant, modern vision for the future. Recent upgrades reflect a commitment to both tradition and innovation, beginning with family-friendly additions such as a new children’s splash pad and adjacent snack bar, along with new outdoor tennis courts, pickleball courts, and updated entry monuments.
For golf enthusiasts, Oakwood’s enhancements position the club as a regional destination. A new nine-hole Par 3 course, a 12-hole putting course, an expanded driving range, and a state-of-the-art Performance Center equipped with three additional TrackMan systems elevate both practice and play. The new Putting Cottage further enriches the experience, offering an indoor snack bar, televisions, surround sound, outdoor grills, and a pizza oven—creating a lively gathering place before and after rounds.
Interior spaces have been refreshed as well. Locker rooms and the pro shop received updated finishes, while the clubhouse and ballroom were renovated to enhance the beauty and functionality of spaces frequently used for weddings and special events.
“Care was taken to maintain the Tudor style through the use of brick and stone, creating a luxurious feel while honoring the club’s traditional aesthetic,” says Katie Martinovic, executive vice president and principal landscape architect with NSPJ Architects. “Because this is a historic property, it was important that the updates feel as though they’ve always been here.”
The Carriage Club
@cc_kansascity
Photos
Nate Sheets
@natesheetsphoto
Architecture
SixTwentyOne
@sixtwentyone_
Located in the heart of Kansas City since 1956, The Carriage Club’s Coach House had outgrown its original footprint. Recently, it underwent a bold transformation designed to better serve modern, active lifestyles while respecting the club’s history.
“Due to tight site constraints, we added onto both ends of the building, expanding existing amenities,” says Kara Bouillette, principal at SixTwentyOne, the architecture firm behind the project. “Our goal was to bring the building into a new era while remaining respectful of the historic site.”
The comprehensive renovation included a full interior redesign, a new pool deck, and a 7,000-square-foot addition that complements the traditional architecture of the adjacent clubhouse. With hospitality and member experience at the forefront, the reimagined Coach House now features expanded dining areas, a larger fitness center, and a new gathering space near the ice rink.
Outdoors, a new loggia provides shaded lounge seating near the pool, while an extended snack bar, updated restrooms, and a pergola with sun shades and new furnishings invite members to linger. A significantly expanded commercial kitchen supports elevated culinary offerings, and existing locker rooms beneath the pool near the ice rink were renovated, with additional locker space created by converting former storage areas to better accommodate hockey programs.
“The look is fresh but elevated,” says Dan Brown, also a principal at SixTwentyOne. “It’s a special place to be—sophisticated, but not stuffy.”
With deep experience in hospitality design, the firm approaches each project with a focus on comfort and connection. “Designing spaces where people feel most at ease is what we love most—and what we do best,” Brown adds.
Mission Hills Country Club
@missionhillscountryclub
Photos
Michael Robinson
@mrobinsonphoto
Architecture and Design
INVISION
(formerly known as
GastingerWalker&)
@invisionarchitecture
SixTwentyOne
@sixtwentyone_
Built in 1951, the Mission Hills Country Club clubhouse is an iconic example of mid-century modern design. Its original pinwheel plan, long sightlines, and low-sloped roofs were intentionally designed to connect the building to the surrounding landscape and outdoor amenities.
A recent addition designed by GastingerWalker& (now INVISION)—featuring a fitness room, snack bar, and pool cabana, presented an opportunity to honor and restore the original architectural intent while introducing modern amenities for today’s members. The addition and accompanying renovations were carefully planned to improve functionality, comfort, and flow, allowing seamless movement between dining, fitness, and pool-related spaces.
Interior updates to the main dining room, lounge, and dining terrace reestablished visual connections to the landscape. Thoughtful detailing, furnishings, and lighting create an atmosphere that feels relaxed, informal, and true to the club’s mid-century roots. Improved glazing, extended sightlines, and strategically placed gathering areas further strengthen the relationship between interior spaces, outdoor terraces, and pool amenities—allowing the landscape to function as a natural extension of the clubhouse.
The club has also launched Mission 30, a long-term, phased improvement plan extending through 2030 in partnership with architecture firm SixTwentyOne. Phase I included renovations to the main lobby, staff offices, a private dining room with built-in wine storage, and the addition of a small bar in the boardroom. Phase II focused on the family dining room, the creation of a new three-season outdoor terrace, updates to the downstairs fitness and group fitness areas, and a renovation of the golf pro shop—including the addition of three golf simulators.
A fire in the golf cart barn ultimately created an opportunity for further improvement. In response, a new state-of-the-art golf pavilion was developed, allowing staff to have carts and bags prepared in advance and enhancing the sense of arrival for members, notes architect Kara Bouillette, who led the project. Planning is currently underway for Phase III upgrades.
Loch Lloyd Country Club
@lochlloydcountryclub
Architecture
WSKF Architects
wskfarch.com
Contractor
J.E. Dunn
@jedunnconstruction
Pool Architect/Builder
Waters Edge Design/Royal Construction
At the center of the luxury gated community of Loch Lloyd, Loch Lloyd Country Club has always been a welcoming place for members to gather. Last summer, the club completed a significant renovation and expansion of its recreational complex and pool facilities for members to enjoy. The updated amenities include indoor and outdoor pickleball and tennis courts, a fitness center, dedicated wellness spaces, and an on-site café. Together with robust programming for all ages—from fitness classes and social gatherings to swim team competitions and golf tournaments—the enhancements reinforce Loch Lloyd’s reputation as an active, community-driven destination.
Additional improvements are already on the horizon. Phase II of the renovation is planned for the coming year, with designers currently submitting proposals for updates to the main clubhouse.
The most transformative change, however, is the debut of The Sechrest at Loch Lloyd. The former adjacent Sechrest Golf Course is being reimagined as a 44-lot residential development, representing the village’s most significant residential expansion in recent years. Each homesite has been carefully planned to highlight the area’s natural beauty—whether tucked along a quiet cul-de-sac, backing onto preserved green space, or located just steps from Loch Lloyd Country Club. An elite group of preferred builders will construct homes in a range of architectural styles and floor plans.
Beyond new residences, The Sechrest signals a major reinvestment in the community’s long-term vitality. More than 50 acres of the former golf course will be preserved and transformed into parkland, walking trails, and open green space. Over the next two years, the project will also deliver key infrastructure and community enhancements.
“This milestone represents more than the approval of new homes—it’s a reinvestment in the future of Loch Lloyd,” says Village Trustee Chairman Chuck Etherington. “By securing permanent green space, trails, and infrastructure alongside new development, we’re creating lasting value for every resident.”
Indian Hills Country Club
@indian_hills_country_club
Photos
Michael Robinson
@mrobinsonphoto
Architecture and Design
INVISION (formerly known as
GastingerWalker&)
@invisionarchitecture
Indian Hills Country Club has completed several phases of expansion and renovation over the past decade, thoughtfully enhancing amenities while preserving the club’s established character. Key highlights include a new 19th Hole Pavilion featuring indoor-outdoor dining, expansive views, upgraded pool locker rooms, a redesigned snack bar and kitchen, and enhancements to the swimming pool. The scope also included a renovation and addition to the tennis pavilion, along with a complete reroof and interior refresh of the existing structure.
The men’s locker room underwent a full renovation of the existing 6,500-square-foot space, including new lockers, refreshed restrooms, and an updated lounge—known as the Q Room—all designed to enhance functionality and user experience while maintaining the club’s charm. The women’s locker room was refreshed to improve light, circulation, and the overall spa experience. Updates included new finishes and lighting, added skylights in the card room, a steam room, a private massage room, and a bridal suite. Reconfigured circulation and the integration of the card room, lounge, and central bar created a cohesive, welcoming environment.
Throughout the project, key architectural elements were preserved and refined. Large sliding glass doors and open layouts strengthen connections between interior spaces and the outdoors, framing sweeping views of the golf course and surrounding landscape. Materials and construction methods were carefully selected to remain consistent with existing structures on site.
“This integrated design seamlessly ties into the existing architecture through the use of brick, wood detailing, a cohesive color palette, and unified site elements like fencing and trellises,” says Rhonda Pearlman, senior associate, who oversaw the project. “Our goals were to create user-friendly spaces, maximize natural light, and significantly improve circulation.”
You may also like these articles.
Arrive Safely, In Style
From executive black car service and airport transfers to group transportation and large event logistics, Kansas City Transportation Group (KCTG) helps keep the city moving every day.
One Stop Decorating Brings Three Decades of Experience to Window Coverings
Walking into one of the three metro area One Stop Decorating showrooms is about more than a large variety of window coverings, it’s about stepping into three decades of experience.
Home Is Where The Art Is
The men behind Heidmann Art Salon boldly balance an array of contemporary art in their Rockhill home.
Art for Everyone
Whitney Kerr III’s murals transform Kansas City walls into shared moments of art and storytelling.
Thinking Inside the Box
Illustrator Frances MacLeod finds creative freedom by embracing boundaries.
She Speaks in Color
Artist and illustrator Morgan Elliott channels a lifetime of creativity into vibrant work that feels alive.
Leave a Reply