One Renaissance Center

Proposed Development Projects that got Minarded.

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eomaha
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One Renaissance Center

Post by eomaha »

For your viewing pleasure... http://www.onerenaissancecenter.com for more information.

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Post by DMRyan »

Well I think the towers look much better now that they've shed the more conservative design we've seen previously. They will compliment the proposed condos on the Omaha side quite well. My only concern with these towers are materials used on the other sides of the building. Based on this rendering/model, it looks like precast concrete panels will be on the sides, let's hope they don't continue to clad them with concrete around towards the back of the towers too. There's a nice looking condo that was built in downtown Columbus, Ohio called Miranova. The 'business' side features a great looking piece of architecture and expansive glass panels. The back is clad in all concrete panels, and looks quite ugly.

I love the jagged looking treatments the tops of the Reniassance buildings will feature!


If this development is 100% official, Council Bluffs will be the 3rd city in Iowa that will be constructing a substaintial new tallest building for their city this year. (Ames, Iowa City, now Council Bluffs)
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Post by edsas »

The renderings look great, but Ryan's right, let's hope that's not precast concrete.

Of course, as you all know, there's no market for highrise living in the Omaha metro, anyway. It's just one big suburb. :shock:
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Post by edsas »

BTW Ryan, how tall are the Iowa City and Ames buildings going to be? Are they University related buildings?
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Post by eomaha »

That's right... no market for highrise living... shame on us for even talking about it.

Hopefully the precast concrete will be limited to those side strips. I'm not going to complain too much though. If it's only a further catalyst to more downtown residential development... I'll be happy. And I don't necessarily want an ugly facade facing Council Bluffs either.
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Post by edsas »

Hey guys, I pulled this from the renaissance center link that Jeff posted:

"The Omaha Metropolitan Area is centered within a maximum one-day travel radius (500 miles) of 53,456,600 people, comprising of 20,293,000 households."

That can't possibly be true. I'd be surprised if it was half that number. 500 miles includes Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City, but isn't St. Louis a little over 500 miles? I know Denver is outside that range. Dallas is outside that range. I just don't know where these 53 million people would be. Maybe they meant within a 1,000 mile radius.
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Post by eomaha »

Yeah, I think that's high. But not dramatically so. I mean within 500 miles are Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin (Milwaukee right at 500), Oklahoma, and of course the mighty Dakotas and Wyoming... perhaps stretching a little to the Denver metro. St Louis is in the 425 range or so. A quick addition within the state census tables put it in the 40 million range at least (oh wait! we're starting from Iowa :lol: )
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Post by edsas »

I guess I could buy 40 million within 500 miles. I thought the rest of the metro description was well-written and pretty statistically accurate. That one sentence just kind of jumped out at me.

That statisitic really does go to show that Omaha is not "in the middle of nowhere". It's on the edge. The eastern third of Nebraska is every bit as densely populated as its eastern neighbors. But since the western 2/3 of the state is only as dense as Wyoming, it really drops the average down.
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Post by Minneapolis Boy »

A breath of fresh air!! Thanks for refocusing on the positives of Omaha! :D
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Post by DMRyan »

Well, it makes sense to have a the good side with the glass and balconies facing the river and the downtown skyline for obvious reasons. I wonder if the other side will feature balconies as well?

The look of these things are really starting to grow on me. With the crazy looking flat decoration on the top and bluish, green glass, it almost reminds me of some tower in Istanbul or Dubai or something. They'll truly match the condos proposed for the Omaha side.
by edsas: BTW Ryan, how tall are the Iowa City and Ames buildings going to be? Are they University related buildings?
I haven't seen a height for The Plaza Towers in Iowa City, but it'll be two 14 story mixed use towers right on downtown's most active and eclectic strip.
Ames' new tallest will only be 8 storiesm and 160 feet, beating out several other nearby apartment towers and dorms. This will be a luxury apartment building with vaulted ceilings and a mezzanine level restaurant on top--> thus the small amount of floors, but decent height.
Both are being built by private developers.

I suppose if I wanted to get technical, Coralville and Johnston (DSM Suburb) are both building 6-7 floor hotels that will be the tallest in each respective city, but it's hard to get excited about buildings like this.
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Post by eomaha »

Should mention there will be 'several' 6-story apartment buildings associated with this project as well... each with 60 units. I assume demand will drive the number... haven't seen any specific number quoted anywhere.
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Post by Will »

is this website accurate? I don't recall if the group ever discovered if one tower was going to be 17 stories or not
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Post by Admin »

One 14 stories... one 12 stories. Let me know if there is a page I've forgotten about stating otherwise (other than the one below). Thanks.

http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/develop/8/
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Post by Rob »

:D

I agree that the project is very attractive. I love that the building appears to sit at an angle to the river rather than facing it on one side only. I certainly agree with DMRyan and others that hopefully the CB Business side will be just as attractive. That side does face the bluffs to the North and East...so the views should hold enough value to warrent balconies and glass.

Ryan...they also reminded me of apartments in Dubai as well. Its nice to see some variety in architecture as well. A great addition to the metro.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

That looks fantastic!

Unless we learn otherwise, I would assume that the east facing sides would be the same as the west facing sides. They're more narrow than the original renderings, which I like because it makes them look taller. This is really outstanding that the Iowa side of the river is experiencing economic growth like this as well.

When does it break ground? Did we ever discover if they were doing grading for this project, or something else?
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Post by Zephyr »

I am excited that there will soon be activity in that area. Every time I am down at the Landing at night, I think how nice it will look with lights across the river. It will really enhance the urban riverfront experience!
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Post by skinzfan23 »

I think that the condos are also a great addition to the Council Bluffs side of the river. It is nice to see that Omaha and Council Bluffs are working together and competing all at the same time. This is what the metro has lacked for several years and now with the new developments I believe the metro is starting to make a name for itself. I hope to see more continued growth like this in the future. From reading the World Herald the other day it lists that Omaha could be a top destination for companies looking to open newer, smaller, and more cost-effective headquarters because of its central location geographically in the US.
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Post by eomaha »

Agreed!
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Post by sokkerdewd »

A few random things:

Actually, that statistic about population is probably correct (Chicago, Oklahoma City, even Fargo all fall within the 500 mile radius according to mapquest.)

Also, DMR - is the construction in Iowa City actually underway now? It's been a few months since I've been down on the Ped Mall. Thanks!

And: I wonder if the Omaha design was chosen to compliment its Council Bluffs counterpart (at least to some extent.) Anyone else think so?
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Post by DMRyan »

Should go together like peas and carrots:

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Post by Will »

Is there a height (meters or feet) on either set of towers :D
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Yeah, they'll go quite well together!

Actually, if anything, I would say they changed the CB design to fit more with Riverfront Place.

And just so everyone knows, I am to thank for the Renaissance web site's up to date, 820,000 population stat for the metro :wink:. I sent them an e-mail bringing it to their attention. Just a week ago, their site listed the metro at the severely outdated 699,000 stat.
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Post by DMRyan »

Well, it's more than likely true that Omaha's CSA population is near or past the 820,000 mark right now anyway. The problem is educating the various media and economic development entities of Omaha to use the same population stats. If Omaha is anything like Des Moines, than the population is often misquoted or misunderstood by many.

I'd love to break it down for those who don't understand...
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Post by eomaha »

Heck... plenty of organizations are quoting the 390,000 number.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Yeah, I actually corrected my Urban Studies professor just today on the population issue. She had said on multiple occasions that Omaha's consolidated area was "almost 600,000".

I of course raised my hand being the know it all that I am, and informed her and the class of the restructuring and redefining of the metropolitan area that took place last summer, and how Omaha is now an 8 county, 820,000 CSA. She was surprised and enlightened. Then a girl raised her hand and said she had just moved to Omaha from Minneapolis and had asked someone what the metro area pop. was and the person had told her 800,000. So the word is getting out :) .
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haha

Post by sokkerdewd »

:shock:

An urban studies prof at UNO didn't know Omaha's population...yikes. You'd think that if they were supposed to be teaching the stuff, they'd at least have an interest in their own environment. Wow...but then again I've corrected some of mine regarding information in their specializations.
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Post by Linkin5 »

To me, one rennasaince center is going to look out of place. The design looks like something right out of Miami beach, not the Missouri river. Please feel free to critizice me on that.......
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

I think One Renaissance Center will look fantastic on the river.

Sokkerdewd, Yeah, I was surprised that she didn't know either. She's actually a really cool lady, and is really involved with where she lives, and is very knowledgeable about Omaha and the world. But hey, she wasn't up to speed on the population. I can't really blame her, 'cause not everyone is as nerdy as some of us, and keeps totally up to date on the population :) . But should have at least known that it was more than 700,000, not "almost 600,000".
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One Renaissance Center on the bubble

Post by eomaha »

Another major Council Bluffs project to fall through?

I sure hope not... this is a pivotal one. I have little doubt the pedestrian bridge is what has left feet dragging.

COUNCIL BLUFFS - Time is running out.

The promoters of a proposed condominium project along the Missouri River here missed Monday's deadline to provide the city with proof that the $72 million project is moving ahead.

The City Council authorized staff to prepare a resolution voiding a development agreement with the group working on the proposed One Renaissance Center, the DLR Group and Signa Development Services, for its Sept. 13 meeting.

Mayor Tom Hanafan said the agreement essentially is void with the passage of Monday's deadline. But if the group brings back a proposal before the meeting, the deal might proceed.

Jack Ruesch, an attorney representing the group, urged the council to keep an open mind on the proposed project.

Plans call for two condominium towers and two apartment buildings on 13 acres of Playland Park north of Interstate 480 and across the river from the Qwest Center Omaha. The developers have purchased the park property from the city.

Ruesch said the group has been working to arrange financing with American Invsco, a Chicago luxury condominium developer that has $4 billion in projects to its credit. Steve Gouletas, the company's president, visited Council Bluffs in May and was excited about the project's potential.

The condo developers are still considering the project and hope to have a response soon, Ruesch said.

Councilman Matt Walsh said he was concerned because the group has known of the deadline since May. Ruesch sent a letter Monday notifying the council that the developers would not be able to meet it.

In the meantime, Walsh said, other developers have expressed interest in a similar project on the property.

The proposed condominium project has been seen as potential western gateway to the city. It would tie in to a planned Missouri River pedestrian bridge and to the development of a public park with a lake, trails and other amenities on the west side of the river levee.

In other action, the council gave second-round approval to a package of stiffer animal control rules.

But Councilman Chad Primmer said he and fellow members Lynne Branigan and David Tobias plan on Oct. 11 to again propose banning pit bull dogs.

The proposed ban, which would have been the first of its kind in the Omaha metropolitan area, died with a tie vote at the council's Aug. 9 meeting. Branigan and Tobias voted for the ban. Primmer, a ban supporter, was absent.

The council also voted to reject the bids it had received for the Southwest Iowa Law Enforcement Training Center. The bids the city had received came in $300,000 over projected costs.
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Post by DTO Luv »

Well even if 1RC doesn't get built it says others are interested in doing the same. Or maybe Riverfront Place can be 2x as tall :D.
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One Renaissance Center update

Post by eomaha »

It's disappointing when a company like DLR Group cannot get funding for a project like this. I think the city of Council Bluffs should have been taking a more pro-active role in seeing this project through... instead they were off justifying $20million for a Bass Pro Shops. You know what we'll probably end up with... another casino... right across the river from downtown.
Bluffs riverfront condos on hold

COUNCIL BLUFFS - The City Council on Monday declared a developer that had been working for four years on a $72 million condominium complex on the Missouri River in breach of its city agreement.

The move raised questions about the future of the riverfront's east bank and of the project, which would have been the largest condo and apartment development planned in the metropolitan area's downtown and riverfront zones.

The Council Bluffs project was envisioned as a gateway to the community and the eastern endpoint of a planned pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River.

But city and other officials said Monday that there are plenty of options for development along the Iowa side of the river.

"I still think there are other opportunities out there that can be just as significant," said Matt Buchanan of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce.

The agreement was declared breached because the group working on One Renaissance Center, the DLR Group and Signa Development Services, missed an Aug. 23 deadline to provide the city with proof that it was moving ahead with the project.

The group had been working to arrange financing with American Invsco, a Chicago luxury condominium developer.

But the group had not heard back from the Chicago organization Monday on whether financing would be forthcoming, said Jack Ruesch, an attorney representing the local group.

Phased plans called for two towers with a total of 228 condos and two apartment buildings housing 120 units on 13 acres of Playland Park north of Interstate 480 and across the river from the Qwest Center Omaha.

The developers already have purchased the park property. However, the agreement allows the city to buy back the property from the developer for the original purchase price of $500,000.

Don Gross, the city's community development director, said his office has applied for a grant from the casino-funded Iowa West Foundation to buy back the property and to create a development plan and market study for it.

The application also includes funding to study the landing area for the bridge, which has changed since early designs. Instead of ending atop the levee, the bridge now would end on the west side of the levee.

"I think it's just a matter of regrouping," Gross said.

The condo development also was to be tied to a public lake as well as trails and other recreational features on the west side of the river levee.

Ron Hopp, city parks director, said the lake would not be built if the condos are not constructed. But the city's plans call for plenty of other recreational features.

The Iowa West Foundation initially had pledged $4.5 million to develop those features. Foundation officials said Monday that they would wait for the city's decision before reviewing the pledge.
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Post by papiostud »

Ugh very very sad. The riverfront plans looked so perfect a year ago! I guess it was too good to be true. If the predestrian bridge isn't built, I'll flip |expletive| and move to...Portland. No...Minneapolis, I need a winter.
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Post by eomaha »

This project may have been riding on the timely construction of a pedestrian bridge... but the reverse is certainly not the case.

The pedestrian bridge will be built.
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Post by barndog »

Glad you think so Jeff. If you don't mind me asking, what makes you so sure exactly? Also, what other kinds of developmental oppurtunities do you see over there now and when do you think they might happen? Like you, I truly hope that premo land isn't wasted on a casino.
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Post by DMRyan »

I don't think the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is going to allow another casino facility in Council Bluffs anytime soon with the three already there. I bet Council Bluffs finds a developer to build a similar (maybe shorter though) project in the future. The land is too valuable if both cities get their riverfront plans completely in order.

I didn't want to hear the bad news, but I kinda thought it was coming since we hadn't heard anything in a while. Just goes to show you that a project like this isn't final until the steel starts rising out of the ground.
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Post by omahaopinions.com »

Is this another deal like the amusement park gone bad? I know they had already purchased the land, but an agreement allows the city to buy it back for the original purchase price.
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Post by DTO Luv »

Here's some wishfull thinking. If CB's condo tower plans are delayed long enough, could it be possible for Omaha to get another condo tower(s)? All of the DTO housing projects are taking off and selling before construction or renovation so someone could take charge and build the second large condo project in Omaha instead of CB.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

It's a dissapointing article, and I agree with Jeff that I think the city of CB could do more to see this through.

I think the project is still alive, this is just a delay, at least let's hope so. I mean, come on. It's DLR and Signa!
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Post by j4nu »

If sales are off to a good start, perhaps this will accelerate Riverfront Places plans for their 2nd tower. Cash in on the delay on the other side of the river.
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Post by eomaha »

Other developers weigh in...
Downtown condo builders optimistic

COUNCIL BLUFFS - The two-tower condo development facing Omaha from Council Bluffs might have proved too grand for the emerging housing market along the Missouri River.

A rendering of the two condominium towers proposed for the Council Bluffs riverfront site.

The Council Bluffs City Council pulled the plug on the plan Monday when the developers of the proposed One Renaissance Center complex failed to provide proof they could finance the $72 million project.

The planned community of up to 228 condos and 120 apartments billed itself as "the Omaha area's most luxurious option for urban living."

Developers of condominium projects in and around downtown Omaha, however, say the market for such units is just unfolding.

Four condo projects are under development in downtown Omaha. Each has its own appeal, said Mike Moylan of Shamrock Development, which built the 1000 Dodge condominiums and is in preliminary stages of a project at the Paxton Hotel.

"I don't think we're tapping out the market at all," he said Tuesday.

Ross Robb, a partner in the planned Riverfront Place south of Gallup University, said he sees an opportunity for hundreds, if not thousands, of residential units in downtown Omaha over time.

"This is my story, and I'm sticking to it until I'm proven wrong," he said.

Robb, Moylan and other developers said they were not familiar enough with the proposed Council Bluffs project to speculate on why it hasn't moved ahead as other condo projects are booming.

The DLR Group and Signa Development Services first proposed the Council Bluffs project four years ago.

They missed an Aug. 23 deadline to demonstrate financing. The project was envisioned as a gateway to the community and the eastern endpoint of a planned pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River.

The group had been working on financing with American Invsco, a Chicago luxury condominium developer, but didn't have an answer by Monday, said Jack Ruesch, an attorney representing the local group.

One Renaissance Center would have been the largest condo and apartment development planned in the metropolitan area's downtown and riverfront zones. It would have covered 13 acres of Playland Park north of Interstate 480, across the river from the Qwest Center Omaha.

Robb said developers typically must sell 40 percent to 60 percent of their planned units in order to close on financing. If the Council Bluffs project had to meet that mark, it would have to sell 60 or more units.

"When we were designing our project, we were thinking of achievable phases that wouldn't keep us on the market for months and months," Robb said.

Council Bluffs officials said plenty of options remain for developing the Iowa side of the river.

"I still think there are other opportunities out there that can be just as significant," said Matt Buchanan of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce.

City officials said other developers have expressed interest in a similar project on the property.

The One Renaissance Center developers already have purchased park property for the project from the city. But the agreement allows the city to buy back the property from the developer for the original purchase price of $500,000.

Don Gross, the city's community development director, said his office has applied for a grant from the casino-funded Iowa West Foundation to buy back the property and to create a development plan and market study for it.

The application also includes funding to study the landing area for the bridge, which has changed since early designs. Instead of ending on the levee, the bridge now would end on the west side of the levee.

"I think it's just a matter of regrouping," Gross said.

The condo development was to be tied to a public lake, trails and other recreational features.

The Iowa West Foundation initially had pledged $4.5 million to develop those features. Foundation officials said Tuesday that they will continue discussions with the city about potential development in the area.
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