Upholding Tradition: Ludowici Tile Graces the Country Club Plaza

When it comes to choosing the most beautiful roofing in Kansas City, there aren’t many who will argue with a roof made of Ludowici tile. Ludowici tile roofs are not just beautiful; they’re classy. They’re long-lasting, too. Ludowici tile has become the trademark of many unique, historical landmarks in the Kansas City area. The historic Country Club Plaza is one of these landmarks.

The Shamrock Difference

Many Kansas City roofers install beautiful roofs, but not many are Ludowici Authorized Crown Roofers. Shamrock Roofing and Construction has earned this honor, making it one of the few in the city with this distinction. If you’re looking for a new roof installation or a Kansas roof replacement on an older property, Shamrock Roofing is the contractor to call.

The Country Club Plaza: A Tourist Destination

Built by developer J.C. Nichols in 1923, the Country Club Plaza — or the Plaza, for short — features Spanish-style architecture. This style was influenced by Nichols’s trip to Seville, Spain, in 1921, where he fell in love with the buildings of that city. Built with Moorish influence, the buildings of Seville featured brick facades, clay tile roofs, and tile mosaics, as well as statues and fountains adorning many of the city’s courtyards. 

All these features are found in the Country Club Plaza, making it one of the most unique attractions in Kansas City. The Plaza attracts tourists and residents alike to its many shops and restaurants. Its crown jewel is the beautiful J.C. Nichols fountain, the perfect backdrop for photos.

The Legacy of Ludowici

The story of Ludowici tile began in Italy 400 years ago, where a family named Ludovisi became famous for expertly crafted terra cotta clay roof tiles. As European demand for their product grew, the family emigrated to Germany, changing their name to a Germanized form: Ludowici. In the late 1800s, Carl Ludowici moved the family—and its legacy of old-world craftsmanship—to America, establishing a terra cotta roof tile company in Chicago, Illinois.

Ludowici Roof Tile Company officially got its start in Alfred, New York, with the organization of the Celadon Terra Cotta Company, which was eventually sold to Ludowici in 1906. As the company grew and flourished, it expanded, leading to additional production facilities in Lexington, Ohio, Johnstown, Georgia, and Coffeyville, Kansas, before eventually consolidating all operations into a single facility in New Lexington, Ohio. The company now has design showrooms in Dallas and Atlanta and a Factory of Ideas at its headquarters in New Lexington.

Call Shamrock Roofing for Ludowici Tile Roofs in Kansas City

Shamrock Roofing and Construction has over 55 years of history in the Kansas City market. We’ve been helping area homeowners with their roofing needs for a long time, and we’ve seen pretty much every roof condition you can imagine. 

If you’re considering a new roof installation or you need a Kansas roofer for a roof replacement on your classic or historic home, we’d love to talk with you. We know how important it is to maintain your home’s original character. A Ludowici tile roof may be just the right thing to take your home to a new level.
Contact us today for more information about Ludowici tile or to get any of your roofing questions answered. We know you want the very best for your home. We’re here to help with that.