The Winslet event space to open at the Waterfront in June

Carrie Rengers
·2 min read

The Winslet is close to opening at the Waterfront at 13th and Webb Road.

That’s the venue that Kansas City-based Abbott Events is putting where Noah’s Event Center used to be. Noah’s abruptly closed in 2020 after the national chain filed for bankruptcy.

In September, Have You Heard? reported that Abbott, which has four venues in Kansas City, would open at the Waterfront. It is also preparing to open two more venues near Chicago and Des Moines.

“Each have their own kind of premier feel to them, and we wanted to bring that same mindset down here to Wichita,” said venue manager Ashlee Baysinger.

Even though Noah’s had been open only a handful of years in Wichita, she said, “We’ve given it a complete face-lift.”

She said that’s because the space “didn’t fit our aesthetic” of “luxury and premier.”

Workers have removed tiles from walls and added new coats of paint, new chandeliers and wall sconces, new chairs and a new bar so there can be in-house liquor.

Most Abbott venues are named for either movie stars or children of founder Matt Abbott.

The Winslet, named for actress Kate Winslet, joins names such as the Harlow and the Bardot in Kansas City.

The Winslet event venue, which has had a pretty big face-lift, is close to opening at the Waterfront at 13th and Webb Road where Noah’s Event Center used to be.
The Winslet event venue, which has had a pretty big face-lift, is close to opening at the Waterfront at 13th and Webb Road where Noah’s Event Center used to be.

Baysinger said part of the renovation includes connecting lights, screens and shades “so we can set scenes.”

Guests can see some of those scenes — they will be set up so visitors can see what events might look like in the space — during a grand opening event from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 16, which will have drinks and light hors d’oeuvres.

That’s when the finished space will be ready, though guests can take tours before then as work progresses.

Krista Racine and Leisa Lowry of J.P. Weigand & Sons handled the sale of the property.

The main ballroom can hold 200. Smaller rooms can fit 100 people theater style.

Baysinger said the rooms are multifunctional for a range of events, such as weddings, parties and corporate events.

There’s also room for outdoor events and yard games, Baysinger said.

“So, really, we’re going to be able to help anybody that just needs a space to meet.”