It used to be that one’s hipness was judged by the sunglasses they wore, the coffee they sipped, and the tech gadgets in their hands. (Sigh.) Gone are those simple days of broadcasting one’s coolness with a mere hand prop. Now, to be truly fashion-forward in Wichita, you may want to consider a live/work arrangement in one of the city’s newest pockets of cool:
Delano
The kooky-but-likable Delano district unwinds to the west of downtown Wichita, bordered by the Arkansas River to the east, Meridian Avenue to the west, Kellogg to the south and MacLean to the north. Don’t be fooled by its bohemian vibe; the businesses breathing new life into Delano are part of a well-organized association that uses Facebook to promote special events and cold-hard economic statistics that encourage Wichitans to spend their dollars locally. So, go out and sample this assemblage of arts, entertainment, shopping and dining establishments.
Douglas Design District
The “triple D” is an up-and-coming neighborhood that’s sure to be the next darling of Wichita. A sub-section of the charming College Hill neighborhood that reaches toward I-135, it contains a diverse community of businesses (both retail and professional services) and apartments. Decorator-in-residence Kyle McGee, owner of Interior Style by Kyle, says, “The best place for a single decorator to live is in a loft on Douglas Avenue in the heart of the new Design District. My loft doubles as a home and office and I really enjoyed the process of remodeling and decorating to my own tastes. It has been especially nice to see the transformation and development of the district. It’s in the center of everything!”
Old Town
An area with just as much right to claim to be “the center” is Old Town. If Old Town isn’t the heart of Wichita, it’s at least the left ventricle. It’s the most enduring pocket of cool in doo-dah, and it’s probably fair to say the success of the rebirth of Old Town has given inspiration and innovation to developers and business owners who’ve set their sights in more recent years on resurrecting the other Wichita niches mentioned here. Restaurant patrons, business people, and club-goers have been hoofing the brick-lined streets underneath the historic wrought-iron lampposts for a few decades now, but converted lofts and apartments give the area a mega cool-factor that keeps the momentum of Old Town’s renaissance going.
Waterwalk
Of course, before any of these neighborhoods or districts existed—and before the city of Wichita even existed —there was (and is) a river. Cities have always been built around rivers because of their necessity for survival and commerce, and now most modern river-based cities have been answering the challenge of how to continue to capitalize on their waterways. Wichita’s answer? Waterwalk. It’s now part of the entertainment triangle that consists of Intrust Bank Arena and Century II. Although it exudes an upscale cache, it’s a pedestrian-friendly area east of the Arkansas River that’s relaxed by day—with families strolling along the river or shopping at Gander Mountain—but promises to be spectacular and sizzling at night, with plans for a festive nighttime water display in the works. Office and residential spaces have been established and plans call for restaurants, clubs, festivals, concerts and more to round out the playful live-work dynamic of Waterwalk.
There you have it: a quick tour of the pockets of cool. Which one suits you?
