A A new sauna concept from Kyle Steppe is expected to turn down the heat in downtown Kansas City — bringing a more social, immersive feel of sauna culture to the city’s wellness scene.
180 ° Bathhouse, a small bathroom experience, is set to open in August in Holtman Buildingcurrently being updated by Molzer’s development with an expected end this spring.
The group behind the idea is led by Steppe, former owner of KC Hemp Co. in Overland Park. He is now working with his current business partner, Carrie Bacon, to close on $600,000 in May and move the project into construction.
“It’s been a journey to get to this point,” Steppe said. “Having a designated area has helped a lot to confirm what will be involved in the business.”
The Holtman Building at 708 E 18th St. o Kansas City’s East Crossroads; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Restoring the sauna model
Instead of replicating the one- or two-person infrared settings common around the metro, the 180° Bathhouse is designed around shared experiences, Steppe explained. The space will sit on a large format sauna that can accommodate 35 to 40 people at a time, combined with cold areas and open public spaces.
That approach opens the door to guided programs, including aufguss, a traditional German sauna technique that uses water and towel movements to circulate steam throughout the room.
“The steam is the most amazing part of the sauna,” Steppe said. “That’s what’s missing from what people are used to.”
180° Bathhouse Version; a figure of honor
The concept also acts as a downward extension of the extensive Steppe Repeat KC vision, a bigger bathroom and a health campus that he has been improving. While Frequency KC is planned as a more expansive space, the 180° Bathhouse is designed more as a proof of concept to bring the same core experience to a smaller, more accessible format.
The Holtman Building connection began with a conversation between Steppe and Zach Molzer, founder of Molzer Development, last summer that turned into a tour of the property. Seeing the space in person helped translate the idea into something tangible, Steppe said.
“Having a physical place to react changes everything,” he said.
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The building is in line with his vision of accessibility and repeat visits. The surrounding mix of small businesses and steady foot traffic shows the potential for the bathroom to become part of the neighborhood’s routine, Steppe said.
180° Bathhouse Version; a figure of honor
Establishing a connection
Steppe and Bacon position the bathroom as a gathering place that provides an alternative to the normal social setting. Group meetings, private appointments and guided experiences are all part of the mix, along with design features such as biophilic features and dedicated cooling areas.
“There’s a thirst for new things to do in the community that aren’t focused on going to a bar,” Steppe said.
The area is expected to act as a wireless zone, encouraging guests to take a swipe as they move between saunas and cold areas.
Bacon, who currently lives in Puerto Rico, plans to move to Kansas City as the opening approaches. The co-founders first connected at a health center in Wisconsin, where they met during a cold water conference and found a place to build a shared sauna.
Kyle Steppe, 180° Bathhouse; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Price and initial performance
The group expects programs to start at $39, with discounted rates available with multiple passes. The pricing model is built around high capacity at one time, which allows the business to keep costs affordable while maintaining volume.
Soon, the focus is on closing its funding early in the year, which will fund construction and position the project for a late summer opening.
“We want to give Kansas City something they’ve never seen before,” says Steppe.
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