[ By ROD ZOOK ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The transformation that continues in the 200 block of South Main in Hutchinson has been further highlighted by the renovation of The Burt building at the corner of B and Main.
The renovation includes the reopening of the Crystal Ballroom, which had been a big part of the Hutchinson entertainment scene from the 1930s all the way into the 1960s. Now the ballroom is celebrating its grand reopening behind the efforts of owner Lucinda Piligian. It’s been an effort she takes great pride in.
“I just love construction and I love antiques. I just love this process,” Piligian said. “If I could go back and do it all over again, I think I would have become an architectural engineer.”
While the ballroom certainly brings the building back to its original use, it was not the original plan.
“We originally bought the building for a future folk art museum, and once I found the history of the Crystal Ballroom, I said, ‘wow this is gorgeous,'” Piligian said. “I started working with Mark Schwartzkopf to do the architectural drawings and went through several variations of what we could do with the building.”
The building is a mixture of old and new with old maps of the U.S. and even a copy of the Declaration of Independence. It has the original floors and ceilings along with the original brickwork. It also features modern fixtures and a full-service kitchen, along with modern amenities. While the ballroom is capable of hosting any event, it’s geared toward weddings with special rooms for brides and grooms to settle in before the ceremony.
“We put the focus on weddings, which is why we did the bridal suite and the groom’s room,” Piligian noted. “I wanted to be able to provide for brides and grooms in giving them a place that is just spectacular. I tried to think of everything I could think of.”
The signature of the building, of course, is the crystal chandeliers that hang in the hallways and rooms. Each one was built by hand on location by David Childs.
“Each one of those, the crystals, they don’t come like that. You have to build them,” Piligian said. “Dave Childs had practically lived here for awhile. He literally had tarps laid out on the floor and had to put all the arms together, and then every one of those chandeliers is individually hung.”
The building was first constructed in 1901 as the Home Theatre by William Loe. He was well known for bringing in talent from all over the area. He also ran a printing business and published several area newspapers at a site now occupied by the Wiley Building.
In 1930, The Burt building was constructed and the second floor became the Crystal Ballroom. A December 1932 ad was the earliest record found announcing a dance at the ballroom. By February of 1933, the Grace Council of the Security Benefit Association leased the second floor of the building, including the Crystal Ballroom. The Grace Council held regular meetings and fundraising events, including dances, at the ballroom. The events were very popular, attracting 600 guests on a regular basis.
The Crystal Ballroom was listed in various ads through the early 1960s. Live music was also broadcast on various radio stations, including KWBW radio, in the 1940s and the live entertainment went out over the airwaves. Now the ballroom is back, ready to host and entertain again.
Piligian says she just wants to bring something to the city that is unique.
“I really want Hutchinson to be more of a destination place,” Piligian said. “We’ve got some great things here. This is just another element of something special that nobody else has. There’s only one Crystal Ballroom at The Burt.”
Today, the ballroom is part of an overall renovation of The Burt, which includes Holly’s Sweet Treats and other business space that is available along with the ballroom in all of its grand splendor.
