A Kansas City couple builds dream home blending Chiefs passion with modern design.

Story by Ann Butenas | Photography by Matt Kocourek

In the heart of Kansas City’s West Plaza area, a new home stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Chiefs fandom and the allure of contemporary design. Recently completed, this 3,500-square-foot residence belongs to Justin and Kate Foutes, a couple whose connection to Kansas City runs as deep as their appreciation for stylish living.

The story of this home begins in 2020 when the couple purchased the existing home and determined it would not fit their needs in terms of space and entertaining purposes. Further, their investment goals would not be met due to the deterioration of the home. As such, they opted to tear it down and start from scratch. Their vision for a modern dwelling that could serve as both a game day haven and a year-round entertainment and relaxation space led them to partner with a builder and architect. The process, however, wasn’t without its challenges.

“We had to get a variance from the city first,” Justin explained, shedding light on why the project took nearly three years to complete.

Justin, born and raised in Independence, Missouri, until about eighth grade, has been a devoted Chiefs fan for as long as he can remember. His family has held season tickets for 45 years, a tradition that has been passed down through three generations.

“I started going to the games at a very early age,” he recalled. “My grandpa initially had the tickets, and then my dad had them and now I do. My dad still goes to the games with me.”

Despite having lived in Atlanta for over two decades, where Justin oversees Assurgent Medical Staffing, a physician placement agency he founded in 2003, his connection to Kansas City has never wavered. This new home serves as a bridge between his past and present, allowing him to reconnect with his roots while enjoying the city’s vibrant present.

A key factor in the couple’s decision to build this home was Justin’s lifelong friendship with Jeff Hoskins. The two have been friends since childhood and have attended countless Chiefs games over the years, including the last three Super Bowls.

“He is one of the most brilliant people I know,” Justin said of Hoskins. The proximity of their homes – about a 10-minute drive apart – makes carpooling to games a convenient and enjoyable new tradition now.

Kate brings her own professional expertise to the mix. As a successful apartment developer based in Houston, Texas, she splits her time between Texas, Atlanta, and now Kansas City. Her experience in multi-family projects proved invaluable in designing a home that’s both functional and stylish.

The house’s design was truly a collaborative effort, spanning multiple cities and involving several talented professionals. Initial plans were drawn by Sandford Steinberg of The Steinberg Dickey Collaborative in Houston, a longtime collaborator and friend of Kate’s.

“I have a great rapport with him, so this project was fun,” Kate shared. These initial concepts were then refined by local architect Lonnie Shanks of Jowler Creek Architects, who worked closely with the city of Kansas City, Missouri, to secure the necessary variances.

Kate’s vision for the home included a grand curved staircase, which became a central feature of the design. Justin’s contribution was equally personal: a wine room that adds a touch of sophistication to their entertainment spaces.

“Sanford understood our lifestyle,” Kate explained. “And he knows we love good porch sittings.”

The result is a home that, while larger than its neighbors, still honors the character of the street. With three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, the house is designed for entertaining. It features three patios – two on the main level (one off the dining room and one on the side) and one upstairs with a tree standing through it, seamlessly blending nature with architecture. A two-car garage on the side can accommodate up to four vehicles, providing ample space for guests.

Inside, the home’s flow was carefully considered to maximize natural air circulation. Large sliding glass doors connect the dining room to one of the patios, allowing for easy indoor-outdoor living when weather permits.

“When the weather is cooperative, I keep the doors open,” Kate said.

One of the most thoughtful features of the home is a clever coffee bar located just outside the guest rooms upstairs.

“We wanted that coffee bar and fridge right outside the guest rooms so people who stay with us don’t have to ask for anything,” Kate explained, emphasizing their “help yourself” philosophy. Each guest room boasts a king-size bed and an ensuite bathroom, ensuring privacy and comfort for visitors.

Kate handled the interior design, drawing on her professional experience and access to design centers in Dallas and Las Vegas. The home’s color scheme revolves around matte black, white oak floors, and white walls on the first level, with some cream and very minimal gray accents.

“Once we selected the flooring, everything else just fell into place,” Kate noted.

She also sourced unique items from some unexpected places, like the lights at the coffee bar and the contiguous black metal flowers on the wall, the latter of which she discovered at the Plaza Art Fair.

“We like to support local talent,” she said.

The kitchen features a two-tone palette that complements the white oak floors beautifully. In the wine bar area near the kitchen, Kate used gifted bricks from a brick mason she knows in Houston to create a reclaimed look that pays homage to the 1920s house that originally stood on the property.

“The bricks were a fun find,” she mused. “I originally thought I’d paint them, but later changed my mind.”

Kate described the exterior of the home as “a modern farmhouse with a craftsman finish,” a style that manages to feel both contemporary and timeless. The natural fiber rugs throughout the house feature black accents, tying in with the overall color scheme.

For the couple, this home is about more than just having a place to stay for Chiefs games. It’s an investment in the West Plaza area and a way to stay connected to family and friends in Kansas City. Justin has even recently opened an office in the Kansas City area, further strengthening their ties to the city.

“I am over the moon about the house and about Jeff also buying a place in Kansas City,” said Justin. “This gives us the opportunity to spend more time together. It has worked out well for us.”

The couple uses the home frequently, not just for game weekends but also for holiday gatherings and dinners with friends and family. When they’re not in Kansas City, they split their time between Houston and Atlanta, often bringing their two dogs along (one of which is aptly named Chief).

Their decision to invest in a Kansas City home rather than a more traditional vacation property points directly to their values and priorities.

“Yes, we could have a beach house in Florida,” Justin reflected, “but we chose to enjoy life this way.”

Kate appreciates the energy currently running through Kansas City and the quality of life it offers. For Justin, the home represents a continuation of family tradition and a way to stay connected to his roots. It’s also a celebration of their other passion: travel. With homes in three cities, the Foutes have created a unique lifestyle that allows them to enjoy the best of multiple worlds.

In creating this unique home, Justin and Kate have scored a touchdown, blending their love for Kansas City, the Chiefs, and their family and friends into a space that’s truly one of a kind. It’s a special getaway that serves as both a tribute to the past and a celebration of the present, all while looking stylishly towards the future.

As Justin expressed, “It’s been fantastic. We are lucky.”