In 2016, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its revolutionary design by Helmut Jahn.

The nearly windowless structure contrasts to Jahn's later signature style of providing wide-open, glass-enclosed spaces.

The American Institute of Architects had given the building an "Honor" award in 1976[6] and the AIA, coincidentally, was holding its annual national conference in Kansas City half a mile away at nearby Bartle Hall.

The arena was one of the first major projects by influential architect Helmut Jahn who was to take over the Murphy/Jahn firm founded by Charles Murphy.

Second, there had been a miscalculation on the strength of the bolts on the hangers when subjected to the 70 mph (110 km/h) winds while supporting the additional rainwater weight as the roof swung back and forth.

[8] On May 23, 1999, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) hosted the Over the Edge pay-per-view event at Kemper Arena.

He was, however, released prematurely when the harness line malfunctioned, and fell more than 70 feet (21 m) into the ring and later died at nearby Truman Medical Center-Hospital Hill.

[12] In court, his widow Martha, children, and parents sued the organization, contending that poor planning of the dangerous stunt caused Owen's death.

[18] Additional American Royal livestock buildings were built adjoining Kemper in 1991–92 at a cost of $33.4 million (the City of Kansas City built the original American Royal Arena in 1922 nearby for about $650,000) In 1997, a $23 million expansion made significant changes to the original Jahn design—most notably a glass-enclosed east lobby.

In 2017–18, the arena underwent a $29 million renovation by Foutch Architecture and Development LLC to be converted into a youth sports facility.