Renier's Piano Building (49 & Dodge Street)

[Fromaha]

Looks like they are testing paint schemes on the exterior. It is great to see this building restored to its original glory. Will be interesting to see how it looks next to the new CVS.

[Seth]

That's pretty cool they're testing paint schemes. It's just one more indication this will look fantastic when it's finished.

[FrontlineOmaha]

Drove by the building this weekend and was amazed at how nice it looks. I hate seeing painted brick, but it looks surprisingly nice, almost looks like real brick.

[omaproud]

What do you mean it looks like real brick? It IS real brick.

[Brad]

What do you mean it looks like real brick? It IS real brick.

The photo someone sent me, it looked like they painted it brown. Either way, I can't wait to get up there this evening and see it!

[Brad]

Update Photo:

[ShawJ]

I think it's going to look great. Thanks for the photo.

[Big E]

Got stuck in rush hour on Dodge for the first time in a long time right by here the other day. It's amazing how fugly the CVS looks in comparison and how easily they could have made it not fugly. Complimentary, even.

(BTW: If you sit in rush hour on Dodge as a part of your daily routine, you really should seriously consider suicide.)

[Seth]

Got stuck in rush hour on Dodge for the first time in a long time right by here the other day. It's amazing how fugly the CVS looks in comparison and how easily they could have made it not fugly. Complimentary, even.

(BTW: If you sit in rush hour on Dodge as a part of your daily routine, you really should seriously consider suicide.)

I agree on all counts. I occasionally have found myself on Dodge between 5 and 6, and have had to think a minute about why there is so much traffic! The worst part of my commute is waiting to cross Leavenworth in the morning on my bike (sometimes waiting there is a significant portion of the trip!).

[iamjacobm]

Here is the development companies site.

http://www.fielddaydev.com/

Still no content on it, but if they can keep doing projects like this they will be a welcome addition.

[Brad]

Signs up for Varsity sports cafe/Roman coin pizza and a state farm office.

[Brad]

This turned out really nice! Can't wait for Varsity to open!

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[iamjacobm]

Amazing renovation!

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Oh my gosh, it looks amazing! What a rebirth! Thanks for the photos, Brad.

Now Dodge Street just needs a road diet so there's more than 1 foot of sidewalk in front of the shops! :yes: :P

This really sets a powerful example. How many buildings can you think of in Omaha that look just like the "before" shot of this building at the top of the page? There are so many buildings that have been neglected, abandoned, and left to deteriorate, but that are solid structures just waiting to be re-activated like this one!

[Big E]

DeWalt can suck one.

[S33]

DeWalt can suck one.

Lol. He sure did leave an impact on you. I hear Yeager Bombs are like roofies for him - you're welcome!

[skinzfan23]

What a great rehab they did on that building. I was looking at buildings downtown some too and I really wish that they would rehab this building too:

[Big E]

What's to rehab there? (other than the missing spire-thingy)

That is and has been a functional building, in about as original condition as you can get. Maybe a nice spray wash.

[skinzfan23]

What's to rehab there? (other than the missing spire-thingy)

That is and has been a functional building, in about as original condition as you can get. Maybe a nice spray wash.

Sorry I guess I would just like to see a restaurant or brewery go in there....it is a great building.

[Brad]

That was Alley Poyner's offices. I am fairly certain they renovated it before they moved in? What needs to happen around there would be Brick Rehabilitation in the street and appropriate buildings developed around it. Also, redevelopment of the fairmount building too!

[Ben]

Driving by last night, it appeared Roman Coin has opened (or at the least, had their lights on and people in there, prepping for a soon to be opening).

[FrontlineOmaha]

Driving by last night, it appeared Roman Coin has opened (or at the least, had their lights on and people in there, prepping for a soon to be opening).

I heard soft opening this week.

[Brad]

We drove by the other night and all the chairs still looked to be wrapped in plastic.

[Omaha_Gabe]

[Brad]

I noticed that sign last night, I like it. Can't wait to see it lit up.

Also the inside looked more finished last night too. People working and some of the TV's were on.

[iamjacobm]

Nice sign.

[DundeeVarsity/RomanCoin]

Thanks for posting the photos!!! We will be open to the public DEC 28th @ 11:00am!!! Come on down and check the place out.

[DundeeVarsity/RomanCoin]

Any more historical photos or info on the building would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Brad]

Thanks for posting the photos!!! We will be open to the public DEC 28th @ 11:00am!!! Come on down and check the place out.

No problem, welcome to the forum!

[nativeomahan]

This is a solid, almost spectacular addition to the neighborhood! Much much better than new construction could ever have accomplished.

[Fromaha]

This is a solid, almost spectacular addition to the neighborhood! Much much better than new construction could ever have accomplished.

Agreed. I also really like the addition of the outdoor seating area. Will be a great spot once it warms up.

[Brad]

Went to the new 49th and Dodge Varsity last night. Very nice! It looks new but yet old and historic all at the same time. The inside is really well done. You walk in at the corner at 49th and Dodge and the public space is an "L" shape with the bar on the left and the dining room on the right. They even have a grand piano in the bar! Definitely a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

[Omababe]

Any more historical photos or info on the building would be greatly appreciated!!!

A few ca. 2009 photos of the building appear on this page:

http://omababe.blogspot.com/2009/10/vil ... undee.html

Look about 1/3 of the way down.

[Brad]

I Like the new Varsity. Cool place in a cool old building. Good food and a nice selection of good beers.

However, Every time we go, the service gets worse and worse. The staff seems knowledgeable, but they are just slow. The first time it was decent, and then a little less and a little less. Tonight when we were finally waited on, our server was just slow and seemed to have zero motivation to do anything more than the bare minimum.

[Linkin5]

I Like the new Varsity. Cool place in a cool old building. Good food and a nice selection of good beers.

However, Every time we go, the service gets worse and worse. The staff seems knowledgeable, but they are just slow. The first time it was decent, and then a little less and a little less. Tonight when we were finally waited on, our server was just slow and seemed to have zero motivation to do anything more than the bare minimum.

I love Varsity's pizza but I have never got good service at ANY location. To me the pizza is worth the wait but I would never go there just to drink a beer and watch a game. I'm not the type to complain so I don't know if that would make a difference.

[windsor]

What an absolutely fantastic addition to the Neighborhood. The building is an absolute gem and the did such a good job restoring it.

[iamjacobm]

Hope there isn't structural damage.

[MTO]

I wonder if anyone told them “you can’t park there”.

[Louie]

This is a weird way to have the thought come to mind, but I wonder why this place has had so much trouble filling the lease since Varsity closed.

[Bob from Omaha]

Anything ever happen at the Hilltop House? Both it and the piano building should be filled. I wonder what the deal is.

By the way. The piano building was built as a hotel initially. It didn't last very long as a hotel but still.