New Hi-Rise!!

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:56 am

There is a proposal for a new condo/hotel tower on the surface parking lot located between 10th/11th and Harney Street. It could be around 25 stories! This site saw a proposal for a tower about seven years ago that fell through. This is a prime site for development with its proximity to the Mall and the Old Market. The new proposal is still in the incipient stages.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:19 pm

Finn-

That's two topics in a row that have me sporting a chub.

Not to doubt you, but what's your source, all the way out there in DC?

-Big E

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:32 pm

This could really help out our skyline, Im keeping my eye on this one..

Im having a hard time figuring out where that would be in some photos.

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:42 pm

Finn hasn't been wrong yet...

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:54 pm

Good news for the height obcessed who want to make up for the Mariott. (lol). This would be incredible news if it works out, especially if Creighton announces this week they're going to build a new ballpark.

Do tell Finn. Especially about the likelyhood of its happening and when the story will come out officialy.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:00 pm

How exciting!!

pkiphd - If I'm not mistaken that is the parking lot across 10th street from Con Agra! Spectacular!!

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:02 pm

mariott

-> daub

, that all i have to say about that

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:09 pm

almighty_tuna - i know, but its hard to tell where that would be in a shot of d.t. from 6miles away.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:18 pm

Im having a hard time figuring out where that would be in some photos.

It is west of ConAgra Drive entrance, east of the Michaels Mexican Restaurant building and part of Landmark that houses a sports bar (formerly Varsity), north of the small parking lot near Barry O's and south of the Chinese restaurant (China Wall?) and row of small buildings that front Farnam Street.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:28 pm

would it border the GL mall? I always thought the mall would be better if it were surrounded by tall buildings like central park in NY.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:31 pm

No, the Great Wall and row of small buildings border the mall, this project would be on the same block, directly behind them.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:58 pm

Well finn, I hope your right, I trust that you know what you are talking about, but, what is your source. Anyway, if this goes through, we can start to see a lot more cranes in downtown with the new Creighton baseball stadium (if it is announced soon like it is rumored) and this. If you find anything else out, keep us in the know.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:18 pm

omahahawk wrote: Good news for the height obcessed who want to make up for the Mariott.

And as the King ofg the Height Obsessed I'm very happy, BUT they were already talking about getting this started last year at one the Omaha By Design Meetings. Someone had brought up that old proposal and Larry Foster had said that their were people interested in resurrecting that idea very soon. Now is a good time to do it.

If you don't know where this is it is right behind the building in the foreground. It's caddy corner from the OM's Famous Dave's.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:44 pm

Is there a chance that the Creighton/Royals field will be announced this week????

Greg

j4nu · Post by **j4nu** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:48 pm

I was just looking at this sight the other day and thinking how great this would be for an infill project. Use the existing ally as an entrance for a parking garage below ground and on part of the street level. Complete wrap the street level on three sides with retail space and then go up from there with the tower. It would be a crown jewel of downtown if done well.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:55 pm

I think they will try to make it look more like the rest of the older OM type buildings. I hope they can get a good mix of old and modern with it.

Finn-

Do you have any sort of time line.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:01 pm

I agree that land is far too valuable for a change box drop parking lot. Something needs to go there and a parking garage should be included.

OhioStreetKid · Post by **OhioStreetKid** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:46 pm

I think this thread should be moved to the rumor forum, until we get some better details. No disrespect to Finn, but at this point the proposal is still very sketchy. Hopefully this rumor becomes reality!

Raraavis · Post by **Raraavis** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:48 pm

If this project is built it would be great but those of you interested in the height of the building a 25 story residential could end up only being about the same height as the U.P. cube. It won't be another FNT or Woodman size building.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:37 pm

True, it wouldn't have the impact of a FNB or Woodmen, but it will add to the density. Also, the UP building is a bit of a victim of surrounding scale - its right by the tallest building in several states. I think this, if it comes to fruition, will stand out more than the UP building even at the same height because the surrounding area is much different. There will be more visual impact IMO.

Post by **Coyote** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:18 pm

I agree with Almighty Chu Toro.
Because of its location and proximity to the river the view of Omaha from Harrah's will make this building stand out in Omaha's profile. It won't be lost in the taller neighbors but fit right in and make the density of downtown more spectacular.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:03 pm

Yea, right now I'd rather gain some density than have it stick out, we can concentrate on height later, I just want to get rid of little two story brick boxes (wonder what building) and surface lots. If this building does have parking below, I hope they keep first level retail, it would be a huge shame if that block of the old market lost retail space for that.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:19 pm

Even though it won't be the Woodmen it will still be a very visible building. The OM is about all that some people ever see of DT. It will give people another tall building to look at, increase awareness of DT living to people unaware, and be another sign the DT and Omaha are on the move.

Even if it's only as tall as UPC or the old First National it will still be a great addition from certain angles like this one. It's crappy but oh well.

Post by **Coyote** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:19 pm

Retail space lost?
What retail space?
Its a parking lot!
Anything is better than that.
But yes, below level parking - surface level retail - lofts above = Old Market perfection

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:39 pm

If it were built to the full 25 stories, I'm not sure why it wouldn't tower over the UP building. Isn't that only like 18 stories or something? But I guess thats the key word "if" it were built to 25 stories. Hope we hear something about it soon. Also hope that in no way, shape, or form has any notation of Walmart on the side.

CountOfMC · Post by **CountOfMC** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:52 pm

Finn, has there been any renderings or are we getting a little ahead of ourselves here? Any timeframe or hunches... do you personally think this thing'll get built? You seem more than reliable, and if you feel good about it, then I'm sure the rest of us will feel good about it.

Isn't the old Butternut another high profile location of a (secretly) proposed high-rise? More good things starting to surface...

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:58 pm

Their is a differance between the floor heights in office buildings and residences/hotels. The UPC and the DoubleTree are both 19 stories but the UPC is 319ft while the Double Tree is only 238ft. So if the Doubletree is 12 feet per floor then a 25 story apartment building would be around 300 ft. It would really stand out in the OM since there aren't lots of tall buildings nearby. And is would be taller than the nearby Landmark Center which would make both buildings seem taller.

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:59 pm

If it were built to the full 25 stories, I'm not sure why it wouldn't tower over the UP building. Isn't that only like 18 stories or something? But I guess thats the key word "if" it were built to 25 stories. Hope we hear something about it soon. Also hope that in no way, shape, or form has any notation of Walmart on the side.

Residential buildings typically don't have as tall of ceilings on each floor as a commercial building would and don't usually have tall lobbies on the 1st floor either.

Skersy · Post by **Skersy** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:12 pm

I wouldn't suprise me if this project does grow through. The property is currently owned by The John Q. Hammonds Group that owns the Embassy Suites in the Old Market. That would explain the hotel part of the project.

Post by **Admin** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:13 pm

Yeah, I'm afraid until we get some concrete info... I'm compelled to place this (and the other loft project thread) in the rumor category.

Exciting prospects indeed.

From the Harvey's Casino vantage point ... the skyline would really benefit in a big way.

OhioStreetKid · Post by **OhioStreetKid** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:13 pm

Does a story = floor? Couldn't the building be 25 stories and say 30 floors? I thought stories were a height scale like feet or inches? Could someone with knowledge clarify?

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:12 pm

I second all the notions that from a density standpoint this would be the perfect location for a new building. Even if it is only about the height of the UP it will do wonders for the way things look down there. Especially if coupled with some kind of new multi story building at the Swanson location just down the street. Filling up that area with even mid-rises will probably look alot better than what the Mariott ever would have done for the QC. In fact I kind of think that the Mariott in some ways would detract from the QC. IMHO I think the QC should kind of stand as a focal point in and of itself for that area. Now if we can only get a new ball diamond behind it. That would make for a great addition to the area and an excellent background.

edsas · Post by **edsas** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:32 am

OhioStreetKid wrote:Does a story = floor? Couldn't the building be 25 stories and say 30 floors? I thought stories were a height scale like feet or inches? Could someone with knowledge clarify?

Yes, story = floor. A 30 story building is a 30 floor building is a 30 level building, what have you. There is no set incriment for stories.

OhioStreetKid · Post by **OhioStreetKid** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:36 am

Thank you edsas!

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:36 am

I think this thread should be moved to the rumor forum, until we get some better details. No disrespect to Finn, but at this point the proposal is still very sketchy. Hopefully this rumor becomes reality!

Yeah, I'm afraid until we get some concrete info... I'm compelled to place this (and the other loft project thread) in the rumor category.

RUDE!

The property is currently owned by The John Q. Hammonds Group that owns the Embassy Suites in the Old Market. That would explain the hotel part of the project.

Apparently, they are looking at making it a Residence Inn.

Sorry, no renderings, time lines, etc. This is a little early as there is still ongoing due diligence.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:48 am

Keep us posted Finn (I know you will)..

A hotel-type establishment such as this encompassing 25 stories would most likely end up in the 310-330 foot range and the number would be closer to 330 ft putting it slightly taller than the 319 ft UP Center..

If this ends up comng true..

Another big WOW for downtown Omaha..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

jborg · Post by **jborg** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:48 am

If the 22 floor masonic manor is 320 feet, isn't likely that this building will be taller?

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:53 am

Masons are tall people!

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:58 am

'If the 22 floor masonic manor is 320 feet, isn't likely that this building will be taller?'..

Good question. Typically (but not always the case) the floor to ceiling measurements on most highrise hotels are a bit smaller than an office/retail/and even an older residential tower like the Masonic Manor..

Typically the number is pretty much 13 feet from floor to ceiling. Taking 13ft X 25 stories gives you 325 ft. Since the 1st floor lobby is usually much larger spacing than that, the potential building height would most likely reach 330 to 340 ft at 25 stories..

Assuming the project becomes a reality

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:04 am

As mentioned, this is planned to be a condo/hotel tower. However, the hotel portion will only include around 5 floors.