The 4+1⁄2-story structure designed by Owen Saylor and Payson opened on December 18, 1926, as the Ararat Shrine Temple.

During World War II it was sold to the American Red Cross as a blood collection center.

In 1970 the Lyric Opera of Kansas City signed a lease to perform at the theatre.

[1] In 1974 Metromedia, then owners of KMBC-TV, took over management of the building although the live arts continued to be performed.

In 1989 a piece of plaster fell from the building during a rehearsal of the Kansas City Symphony.