jLofts (13th & Jackson)

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 10:23 pm

The redevelopment plan with division of ad valorem taxes was approved at the Council meeting on the 28th. I noticed that there is an item in the City Council agenda for the 12th to rezone property at 1202 Jackson. I am not sure if it is related to this project or across the street.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 3:41 am

The rezoning was approved today. This project should be good to go!

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:12 pm

The "final" redevelopment package for this project is on the city council agenda for Tuesday. If I am not mistaken, this is the final step in the Planning Department/City Council process.

Raraavis · Post by **Raraavis** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 10:07 pm

Excellent, I hope we don't have to wait until next spring to see construction begin.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 4:39 pm

New rendering displayed on site... oh, and it appears to be called The Gregory.

RevitalizeOmaha · Post by **RevitalizeOmaha** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:09 pm

Evidently the developer named the condo project after himself.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:13 pm

It looks like an office building. Seems forbidding.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:20 pm

That thing is |expletive| ugly. Period.

It has come so far from the original look it's barely the same thing. Granted, I'm glad there will be some street level function, and more downtown residential is almost always good, but that looks like every other Soviet-inspired building Omaha built from the 50s on.

Don't they realize that they are building in the Old Market, and they need to maintain some kind of consistency with the surrounding aesthetic? heck, the parking lot that is there now looks better. We don't need another Embassy Suites. if you want to build that square-turd, do it in almost any other neighborhood downtown EXCEPT that one.

I don't expect them to build something that looks 100 years old, complete with faded painted billboards and tilted awnings. But come on... Where in the heck was Omaha by Design on this one?

-Big E

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 8:04 pm

it looks like a couple of the buildings on the UNO campus, has the same brick/beige exterior, hopefully the finished product will be better looking than the rendering

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:07 am

That's what happens when the Planning Board takes on the role of architect/visual appeal judge. They dissed the original design, in part because of parking at street level, but they also said...come back with something more modern. And that is what we get....something more modern.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:52 am

I think it looks fine.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:27 am

There is not enough art nouveau influenced architecture in Omaha.

I'd like to see more renderings of this building, but right now it looks like it belongs in a west-o business park, not in the Old Market.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:12 am

I'm not seeing whats wrong with this design???

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:31 pm

Unless there is a dramatic difference between that rendering and the completed building, that is one of the most out of place, inappropriate designs I have ever seen for new construction. It is completely out of place for the Old Market. Even the color scheme looks bad.

I have no problem with the planning board telling them to come back with something "more modern". You can be modern and still fit in a 100 yr old neighborhood. SoMa pulled it off, and that was a big factor in our deciding to purchase there.

-Big E

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:09 pm

Looks like a dormitory in Lincoln. Unimpressive.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:54 pm

Big E wrote:Unless there is a dramatic difference between that rendering and the completed building, that is one of the most out of place, inappropriate designs I have ever seen for new construction. It is completely out of place for the Old Market. Even the color scheme looks bad.

I have no problem with the planning board telling them to come back with something "more modern". You can be modern and still fit in a 100 yr old neighborhood. SoMa pulled it off, and that was a big factor in our deciding to purchase there.

-Big E

I agree. SoMa is also separated from the hart of the old market and they still managed to add to the area not distract from it.

This design is fine for any other part of the city but at 12th and Jackson? Anyone know which council member(s) pushed for the "Modern" look?

If I was looking to buy a loft in the old market I would chose one of the historic redevelopments over this. If I want a loft in a modern development I would look to the new riverfront or out west.

I am sure these will sell but if I was the developer I would have fought harder to keep such a unique opportunity. There are just so few spots. What a shame.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:26 pm

Actually it will fit right in with the other modern buildings on that street -

The totally out of place "Maggie Moos" and the "Little King" eyesore.

I am so surprised at not just the City Council but also with the Old Market Association. You would think they would be screaming their heads off over this. Yet they did approved the two mistakes I mentioned before. I guess we can't necessarily count on them alone.

It's too bad Omaha hasn't seen fit to protect that area with some zoning restrictions. I'm not in favor of that outside of the market mind you. But, that area is so unique it should be protected.

The developer obviously had his hart in the right place. The original design was so much more appropriate. Too bad someone else failed to see that and has insisted on a more "MODERN" Old Market.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:46 pm

It can be modern, as long as it clearly references the Old Market style. This building doesn't.

I'm still waiting to see more renderings though.

Asten · Post by **Asten** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:52 pm

Swift wrote:It can be modern, as long as it clearly references the Old Market style. This building doesn't.

I'm still waiting to see more renderings though.

I'd suggest everyone writing the City Council and Mayor's offices, as well as the developer, Old Market association, etc. It's certainly not too late to *try* for a change. I'd join in, but I've discovered that they don't tend to take people living 500 miles away too seriously, despite our good intentions.

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:21 am

I'm with you guys. There needs to be a more appropriate design for this location. What is with that concrete looking stuff on the corners? And how about something along the roofline to add detail and interest? This looks like a prefab concrete building. Will the brick even be real, or will it be a verneer molded onto the concrete panels holding it up.

It just seems this development could easily be tweaked and still keep the developer's total costs in mind.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:42 am

The elevation drawings dated Feb '05 (which look identical to the rendering above) have references to a 'metal panel system' where these concrete looking panels appear. Will have to inquire with the developer to find out what materials will be used.

click on image below

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:33 am

Interesting. The new design has been in place for months, with 3-D "realistic" photos, as well as full color schematics from all angles. What made everyone decide now they don't like it. I think it's an interesting building.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:11 am

Big E wrote:heck, the parking lot that is there now looks better.

Ok, that definitely isn't true.

Even in its current form, that building would be a welcome infill development in the Old Market, which has WAY too many vacant lots.

But I will agree that the design leaves much to be desired.

And put some damn balconies on it!!!

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:14 am

Aaron... I couldn't agree more!

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:25 pm

Chef- The previous renderings didn't look like the one on the sign, at least in my opinion. I would assume that is the best and most accurate rendering they have, since it is the one they put on the sign at the site. If that's indicitive of how the thing will look, then I have to give it a huge thumbs down. It is just completely inappropriate for the area.

-Big E

redfield · Post by **redfield** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:08 pm

Yeesh! You guys are wailing on this building!

Although I wasn't about to nominate the new design for any awards when I saw it, I think it's alright, and I welcome a little modern feel on the outskirts of the Old Market. It's not like this building is going to be sitting inbetween two historic buildings in the middle of the market, and it's not like it's colors or design will stick out like a sore thumb and clash with everything around it.

If I were a buyer I would probably rule it out because of the lack of balconies and smaller windows, but asthetically, the building is fine in my opinion. I like it better now than the original designs.

FatGuy · Post by **FatGuy** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:15 pm

The building looks nice to me. I thought the windows actually look big, but I guess it is all relative. Not having balconies is definitely a disadvantage. A balcony would be nice.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:09 pm

This project is on it's final reading at City Council today and a motion can finally be made to approve or deny.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:02 pm

redfield wrote: a little modern feel on the outskirts of the Old Market. It's not like this building is going to be sitting inbetween two historic buildings in the middle of the market, and it's not like it's colors or design will stick out like a sore thumb and clash with everything around it.

The Old Market is growing (as counter-intuitive as that is). Eventually this will be considered the middle of the Old Market as infill begins happening south to Leavenworth and west past 13th st.

lpgforms · Post by **lpgforms** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:37 pm

I saw an ad for this building in the Midlands Business Journal looking for tenants for the office space. Actually they were positioning it as a business investment. I guess that you would actually own the space that your office was located in.

Brain

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:57 am

And I thought the first floor space would be retail. Sounds like they have other plans. Probably pretty wise. There was a lot more retail in the Old Market when I moved here in '94 than there is today.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:24 pm

Old Market to get 55 condos
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=46&u_sid=2154850

A development team today announced plans for a new, 61/2 story building in Omaha's Old Market that will house 55 condominiums and ground-floor retail and office space.

The $22.5 million jLofts project will replace the Heartland Scenic Studio at 1308 and 1314 Jackson St. The studio, which makes theatrical and store sets, is moving to a new, $1.65 million facility that will be built northwest of Eppley Airfield.

The project joins a number of condo projects under way or planned at the south end of the Old Market. The project also brings to about 940 the number of new downtown residential units announced in the past two years.

In addition, 430 units have been converted from rentals to condos.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:28 pm

A little more, found this interesting (some of us have been saying for awhile now):

Market studies, Brannon said, have confirmed what he has observed in other cities: Downtown residential projects feed on one another, with each attracting more interest and eventually more retail offerings, which, in turn, attract more residents. He said he believes Omaha is far from reaching a saturation point in downtown condos.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:48 pm

940 wow that is awesom!

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:56 pm

wow completion by 2k7 (with a demolition in there) that is fast!

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:15 pm

Well, you know I'm going to gripe about knocking down an 89 year old building...

http://www.dcassessor.org/details.asp?N ... 0315600004

...and a 128 yr old building...

http://www.dcassessor.org/details.asp?N ... 0315600002

... but this is a HUGE improvement. Hopefully they'll at least consider retaining some of the facade.

-Big E

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:36 pm

so will streets im sure

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:45 pm

128 years or not, there is absolutely no need to save this!

Great project, we need more neighbors.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:50 pm

i was wondering how much density would improve plus we are getting rid of those... those.... ugly buildings. its a win-win

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:52 pm

Come on Finn... You know that wasn't BUILT looking like that. I guarantee you under that ridiculously crappy coat of paint and blocked up windows there's charm. It's like Omaha's formstone (Baltimore joke).

But like I said, HUGE improvement.

-Big E