The Raphael was built in 1927 and originally opened as the Villa Serena Apartments in 1927. Michael's Beauty Salon occupied the space which is now the Chaz Restaurant. Founder of the Country Club Plaza, J.C. Nichols' vision was for the building to resemble Central Park housing for the affluent, while keeping with the architectural style of the Plaza. One of his requirements was for it to be sound proof and fire proof brick building. The two sides of the building were built as a mirror reflection of each other, divided by an 8" concrete wall. The National Trust for Historic Preservation added the Raphael Hotel to its list in 2001. The Raphael was a pioneer in the emerging boutique hotel concept that emphasizes personal service and an ambiance that goes beyond the "cookie cutter" hotel. The Kansas City Historical Society cited the conservation as a "superb example of preservation of urban landscape.
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