ARCO National Construction Delivers Award-Winning Bar K Destination on the Missouri Riverfront

ARCO National Construction delivered Bar K, a nationally recognized, 7,265-square-foot dog park and hospitality venue located in Missouri Riverfront Park in Kansas City, Missouri. Designed as a first-of-its-kind destination combining a restaurant, bar, and fully fenced dog park, the project required innovative construction methods, adaptive reuse materials, and precise site coordination.

Bar K earned national recognition for its design and community impact, receiving multiple awards across architecture, construction, hospitality, and economic development categories.

Bar K redefined traditional hospitality spaces by merging a full-service restaurant and bar experience with a fenced-in, 1.5-acre outdoor dog park. The venue includes a second-floor bar and rooftop terrace overlooking the park, a beer garden and performance stage, outdoor seating shelters, and a dog splash pool.

Supporting amenities include dog wash stations, a full-service grooming station, dog obstacles and climbing features, and thoughtfully designed circulation paths that allow pets and patrons to safely coexist in a highly activated environment.

A defining feature of Bar K’s design is its use of repurposed shipping containers as primary structural and architectural elements. ARCO coordinated the structural adaptation of these containers to meet commercial building standards while preserving the architectural intent.

The project incorporated reclaimed wood flooring, high-end finishes, exterior graphics, and custom detailing to create a polished yet industrial aesthetic. This execution earned the project the Architecture, Construction & Design Award for Hospitality, recognizing the creativity and precision behind the container-based design.

Located within Missouri Riverfront Park, the project required careful coordination with surrounding infrastructure and environmental considerations. ARCO managed site development across the 1.5-acre outdoor dog park, integrating fencing systems, circulation paths, and durable concrete elements designed for heavy public use.

Concrete elements throughout the project were recognized with the Concrete Promotional Group’s Excellence in Concrete Award in the Recreation Category, highlighting the quality and durability of the structural and site work.

Bar K received multiple regional and national awards following completion. The project earned a KC Business Journal Capstone Award, recognizing outstanding development in the Kansas City market. It also received the EDC Kansas City Cornerstone and People’s Choice Awards for its economic development and community impact.

Additional national recognition included PETS+ Magazine’s America’s Coolest Stores designation and multiple USA TODAY 10BEST honors. These awards reinforced the project’s position as a standout hospitality and recreational destination.

Constructing a venue that combined hospitality, recreation, and pet-focused amenities required flexibility, coordination, and a solution-driven mindset. ARCO’s ability to integrate adaptive reuse materials, high-end finishes, complex outdoor programming, and structural durability ensured the project met both design vision and operational demands.

Bar K stands as a strong example of ARCO National Construction’s ability to execute unconventional, award-winning projects that push beyond traditional building typologies and create meaningful community destinations.