RIP The Red Box (aka the State Building)

[daveoma]

I love this building. Though I prefer the original building before it was modernized, I think it's a great example of mid-century modern. That thing on top is so distinctive and I think in a decade or two when buildings such as this one are few, people will begin to appreciate it more.

[RNcyanide]

I like the antenna on this. I can't find any now, but some corporate logos that use the skyline have enough detail to include the antenna on this place and it looks neat.

[Ford]

The microwave antenna on top of the building is no longer in use and could be removed if there was a reason to do so.

I work in the building. I will try and get some pictures from the inside and post them.

[daveoma]

The microwave antenna on top of the building is no longer in use and could be removed if there was a reason to do so.

I work in the building. I will try and get some pictures from the inside and post them.

That would be awesome! !

[Coyote]

Yeah, looking forward to it Ford!

[mr. omaha]

For height/size/color reference, here's a great photo of the old Woodmen of the World building that used to be on the NE State Office Building site:

I miss this building so much!!!

[GetUrban]

What a waste!

[Midwestern]

A lot of the Jobbers Canyon buildings were somewhat plain, but there were definitely 8-10 gems in there worth keeping for generations to come. But the old Woodmen tower is by far the "worst" historical loss. What a beautiful building.

Thank you mr. Omaha so much for all of these color photos, they are great! Do you happen to have any of the Hotel Fontenelle?

[Coyote]

Wow, WOW... I have never seen that pic...
Thanks, I think...

[mr. omaha]

A lot of the Jobbers Canyon buildings were somewhat plain, but there were definitely 8-10 gems in there worth keeping for generations to come. But the old Woodmen tower is by far the "worst" historical loss. What a beautiful building.

Thank you mr. Omaha so much for all of these color photos, they are great! Do you happen to have any of the Hotel Fontenelle?

Here's a couple of the ones I've acquired that I have scanned:

[U R my Helix]

Great photo of the detail work on the top of the Hotel Fontenelle! I doubt that it could be redone nowadays, I don't think that level of skill is abundant in the trades today. Is there even a construction outfit that does such detail work?

[mr. omaha]

Great photo of the detail work on the top of the Hotel Fontenelle! I doubt that it could be redone nowadays, I don't think that level of skill is abundant in the trades today. Is there even a construction outfit that does such detail work?

Probably not too many that still do terra cotta. However, detail like this could still be done nowadays, but it likely would be in larger sections of precast concrete, and very expensive.

[skinzfan23]

That photo of the old Woodmen building makes me sick.

[Joe_Sovereign]

For height/size/color reference, here's a great photo of the old Woodmen of the World building that used to be on the NE State Office Building site:

I miss this building so much!!!

What a tremendous waste. It is so sad how few people care when historic architecture is destroyed for the next thing. So few people have any concept of history. The majority of people have no concept of any thing beyond their personal experience.

Looking at the WOW building and the Jobbers Canyon photos you get an idea of how dense and tall Downtown Omaha was 100 years ago. Today we see a few tall shiny buildings with seas of parking garages, surface parking, and vacant lots. One hundred years ago every block was filled with storefronts, residents, and offices.

[mcarch]

It is so unfortunate that this giant monstrosity is:

A. One of the tallest buildings in the city

and

B. Apparently very, very important

and

C. Also apparently almost impossible to get rid of because of said importance

What is inside of the building anyhow?

[RNcyanide]

It is so unfortunate that this giant monstrosity is:

A. One of the tallest buildings in the city

and

B. Apparently very, very important

and

C. Also apparently almost impossible to get rid of because of said importance

What is inside of the building anyhow?

AT&T? Almost every internet connection in the city is routed through there.

[mr. omaha]

I'm not sure what the inside of Northwestern Bell/AT&T looks like, but here's what the outside used to look like:



Detail of terra cotta that used to be on the top:


Detail of what the base used to look like:


This is a building the City could have been proud of, and instead now we have a big boxy turd... sounds about right for this thread.