The Glam Room Salon, Medical Spa, and Beauty Bar
Kansas City, MO
Theglamroomkc.com
Owner: Carl Glorioso
Salon Style: Historic, Modern Luxury
Square Footage: 12,700
Stations: 32
Treatment Rooms: 8
Manicure Stations: 5
Pedicure Thrones: 5
Equipment: Millard Kwon Design
Furniture: Millard Kwon Design
Total Design Investment:
Retail Lines: Kerastase, L’Oreal, Shu Uemura
Color Lines: L’Oreal
Design by: Millard Kwon Design
Architect: Tom Nolte
Photographer: Molly Hoffman

The Glam Room Salon, Medical Spa and Beauty Bar found its new home in a building that once was the historic Phoenix Hotel, built in Kansas City in 1888. At nearly 13,000 square feet, the sheer size of the space was Owner Carl Glorioso’s biggest design challenge.

“With such a large footprint, our goal was to maintain a sense of intimacy and warmth while still maximizing functionality and flow,” he says. “We overcame this by strategically placing our Lather Lounge at the center of the salon, creating a natural hub that also divides the massive salon floor into two smaller, more personal spaces. To maintain symmetry and balance, we mirror key features on each side, including two fully equipped color bars.” 

What makes The Glam Room’s design sing is its seamless fusion of old and new. They were able to preserve the soaring ceilings, 19th-century woodwork and architectural integrity of the original building while breathing new life into it with modern amenities and trend-forward services. Glorioso’s personal collection of antique mirrors on the salon wall creates a gorgeous time capsule of beauty. Black and white images of real celebrities bring glam and beauty stories into the space. 

Guests are welcomed with a shimmering arrangement of chandeliers at the from desk, located within an upscale boutique that sells products, men’s and women’s apparel and accessories, including fanwear for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. A charming Juliet balcony creates a fun photo opportunity for guests, as well as a place for Santa to perch during the holidays. 

Clients ascend the split-level, winding staircase into The Glam Café which serves handcrafted lattes, signature cocktails and comfort foods. “It’s a place where beauty and hospitality intertwine, creating both a social and sensory experience,” Glorioso says. 

In the spa area, a Medical Treatment Room and a Holistic Doctor Suite offer professional consultations and cutting-edge wellness services that complement beauty. “Our pride and joy is our beautiful Himalayan Salt Room which is excellent for guests suffering from inflammation, eczema, asthma and compromised immune systems,” Glorioso says. 

With five manicure stations and five pedicure thrones, the light-filled Nail Room rounds out the one-stop beauty and wellness destination. Ventilation is built into the custom-designed, black-and-white nail stations to direct any fumes outside. 

Behind the scenes, each department has its own dispensary, complete with sinks, washers, dryers, and storage, which keeps the large operation running smoothly. Glorioso’s office is located next to the Leadership Room, where managers find the space to concentrate on operations. The Glam Room even has an elevated parking experience. “Each guest who books an appointment is texted directions and a unique code to open the door to the salon’s private, secured parking garage,” Glorioso says.