NuStyle Redevelops Wells Fargo Center

[GenX]

Developer buying downtown Omaha's Wells Fargo center for $5 million, plans 200 apartments

NuStyle Development is poised to convert another downtown Omaha building into housing — replacing much of the Wells Fargo Bank center with about 200 apartments and indoor parking.

Todd Heistand, co-owner of NuStyle, expects to complete the purchase this week of the roughly 160,000-square-foot complex at 1919 Douglas St.

The $5 million transaction includes office space and almost 80 covered parking stalls. It also includes a surface parking lot on the northwest corner of 20th and Farnam Streets that has about 170 spaces; on that lot, an ATM would remain. The lot could be the site of future development, Heistand said.

Wells Fargo will keep a bank branch on the street level of the building, the bank said. It will lease about 5,000 square feet back from Heistand’s NuStyle.

The change continues NuStyle’s pattern of re-purposing old buildings into urban residential living — a trend that included the same developer’s 2011 conversion of the 11-story former Farm Credit building on 19th and Douglas Streets next to the Wells Fargo center.

Indeed, Heistand said, apartment residents of the former Farm Credit building (now called The Bank) will benefit from the Wells Fargo center acquisition because, as neighbors, they’ll gain amenities such as indoor parking.

Much work is ahead, he said, including a request to the city for tax-increment financing to assist the conversion project. Design work also is to be done, and the name and other branding touches could be connected to The Bank, Heistand said. If all goes as planned, renovation work could begin this summer with the apartments, rentals that could be available about 2020.

Why this building, at this time? Heistand said the structure, built in 1969, had been on the market a few years and had been only partially occupied. He had been working with the bank and others to plot out a possible path. He said “it was a puzzle,” for example, to figure out how to keep the bank operational while renovating such a structure.

[skinzfan23]

Here is the picture from the paper: quick question though....is it just the white building in the picture?

[skinzfan23]

Another huge rehab by NuStyle. Thank goodness for them. They have proven that they can do amazing things to buildings that others wouldn't take a chance on. I still think their most impressive rehab was the old power plant.

How many apts have they now developed in downtown Omaha?

[GenX]

How many floors will they need to add for 200 apartments? 160,000 sq ft is nowhere near enough space.

[skinzfan23]

How many floors will they need to add for 200 apartments? 160,000 sq ft is nowhere near enough space.

That is what I was wondering. That is only 800 sq ft per apt, not leaving space for any of the retail, hallways or anything else.

[GenX]

How many floors will they need to add for 200 apartments? 160,000 sq ft is nowhere near enough space.

That is what I was wondering. That is only 800 sq ft per apt, not leaving space for any of the retail, hallways or anything else.

NuStyle has a history of adding floors, so it’s reasonable to assume they’ll do the same here.

[Garrett]

How many floors will they need to add for 200 apartments? 160,000 sq ft is nowhere near enough space.

That is what I was wondering. That is only 800 sq ft per apt, not leaving space for any of the retail, hallways or anything else.

NuStyle has a history of adding floors, so it’s reasonable to assume they’ll do the same here.

Tiny homes are also all the rage. They could do ~300 sqft studios easily. The two bedroom I currently live in is 550 sqft

[GetUrban]

How many floors will they need to add for 200 apartments? 160,000 sq ft is nowhere near enough space.

That is what I was wondering. That is only 800 sq ft per apt, not leaving space for any of the retail, hallways or anything else.

NuStyle has a history of adding floors, so it’s reasonable to assume they’ll do the same here.

Tiny homes are also all the rage. They could do ~300 sqft studios easily. The two bedroom I currently live in is 550 sqft

According to DOGIS and the Assessor’s page, the existing 1969 building is only about 97,000 SF on 3 floors plus a mezzanine. It’s unclear in the article how they’re going to get 160,000 SF and 200 apartments unless they’re adding more floors or remodeling the adjacent 11 story 143,500 SF building again and/or counting that. Should be a great project to watch though.

[Garrett]

How many floors will they need to add for 200 apartments? 160,000 sq ft is nowhere near enough space.

That is what I was wondering. That is only 800 sq ft per apt, not leaving space for any of the retail, hallways or anything else.

NuStyle has a history of adding floors, so it’s reasonable to assume they’ll do the same here.

Tiny homes are also all the rage. They could do ~300 sqft studios easily. The two bedroom I currently live in is 550 sqft

According to DOGIS and the Assessor’s page, the existing 1969 building is only about 97,000 SF on 3 floors plus a mezzanine. It’s unclear in the article how they’re going to get 160,000 SF and 200 apartments unless they’re adding more floors or remodeling the adjacent 11 story 143,500 SF building again and/or counting that. Should be a great project to watch though.

Interesting. I wonder why the article calls it a 160,000 sq ft building then. They already renovated the building next door, the Farm Credit Building, into "The Bank" that they talk about in the article. Though, is anything in 1904 Farnam? That's about 52,000 sq ft, and if you add in the about 5,300 sqft by closing the mezzanine that's a lot closer to 160,000. But perhaps there will just be an add on.

[iamjacobm]

They just churn them out don't they. The sale includes a pretty sizable chunk of land along Farnam west of 20th. Eventually see something similar to the Highline 2.0 building there I would imagine.

[GetUrban]

The Lerner Building at the NE corner of 16th & Harney is a good example of how additional residential floors can be added to an existing building. They wouldn't want to block the views from the 11-story former Farm Credit building apartments though, which is also a recent NuStyle project, as mentioned.
The number of 24/7 residents just keeps increasing downtown. The Wells Fargo building has a real modern look, so it will be interesting to see how they key off of that.

[mistergutierrez]

Notice that NuStyle also owns the garage in Douglas, west of the Masonic Lodge Temple. There is where most of The Bank residents and some of the Wire have their parking space.

Considering the amount of people living in a four block radious (Bank, Wire, Slate, Highline, City View...), a medium sized grocery store (as Trader Joe´s) wouldn´t be such a bad idea.

[skinzfan23]

Depending on the development of the Civic site and the rumored HyVee store, I am not sure they would build another grocery store so close.

[Dundeemaha]

Depending on the development of the Civic site and the rumored HyVee store, I am not sure they would build another grocery store so close.

I think a Trader Joe's on the first floor of a new development on the Northeast corner of 20th and Farnam would do fantastically and probably win any battle with HyVee at the Civic for foot traffic.

It's a far better location than the Civic.

[mcarch]

That would have made a nice grocery store, and then built up to add apartments. A shame.

[iamjacobm]

TIF request before the planning board.

[iamjacobm]

TIF document. Rendering shows the exterior changing quite a bit.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... une/08.pdf

[Garrett]

TIF document. Rendering shows the exterior changing quite a bit.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... une/08.pdf

I understand they have to make changes but yikes does that look like Frankenstein’s Monster as a building.

[Dundeemaha]

Wow, hopefully it comes out better looking in real life than that rendering. That's impressively ugly

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Even NuStyle makes mistakes...

But in all seriousness the building looks fine as is, it just needs interior renovations.

[RockHarbor]

Darn, I can't see that rendering. I'm glad they are removating the building, but I really hope they tastefully change the exterior to not have a hint of the former commercial structure. Lets not get too tacky of a city on our hands here, with commercial-looking structures & hospitals continually converted to residential, as a quick & easy fix.

[Coyote]

image.jpeg

[RockHarbor]

Thanks for posting that. It's not awful, or anything, but you can see the restrictions from not having the "blank slate" for designers to work with. (Honestly, I dont think there could be a better attempt at taking that 60's/70's commercial structure and its structural lines, and turning it into trendy, current day residential.) But, still... I'm just shaking my head here, though. Can we maybe tear it down (for I dont know how much more $$$), create a blank slate, then design something really awesome & normal for downtown residential? Would Minneapolis, KC, or even Des Moines, allow this? I really do believe, Omaha needs to start using Minneapolis & Kansas City (and maybe even very sharp Des Moines) as a "filter" before it makes a move. I feel on the verge of writing a book titled: "The City That Allows Silly Things: A Look A Omaha, NE and Its Urban Choices." (I'm joking and love Omaha. I do believe in recycling of materials. But, I just want it to be the best city it can be. This is gonna sound like I'm "Dr. Phil" and I'm psycho-analyzing Omaha like it's a person, buit sometimes Omaha feels like it is an "aggresive player" on the U.S. stage, has really put its name out there, has strong & healthy civic pride, but then it makes choices that make me question possible underlying low self-esteem. Doesn't the city believe it deserves the best?)

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Okay it's not that bad, looking closely. I thought the balconies were something else.

Guess I'm just not into the black

[lisanstan]

Eh, Des Moines isn't my idea of design inspiration. A more sterile aesthetic can only be found at Disney. They are determined to renovate the character completely out of every old building downtown. Everything cannot be pre war or current modern. I'm all for buildings representing different eras of architecture. Do it well and it keeps the city looking interesting.

[RockHarbor]

Eh, Des Moines isn't my idea of design inspiration. A more sterile aesthetic can only be found at Disney. They are determined to renovate the character completely out of every old building downtown. Everything cannot be pre war or current modern. I'm all for buildings representing different eras of architecture. Do it well and it keeps the city looking interesting.

I couldnt agree more. That's one reason I like Kansas City's striking skyline. It is such a perfect, eclectic balance of buildings from every era -- something Minneapolis or Denver can't claim (or Omaha or Des Moines can claim). That's the reason I don't like what Indianapolis allowed with their 1970's Indiana National Bank. The original building made the skyline more satisfying to me, personally. Now, with the remodel, it has that "forced new look" like this building (feaured here) has. I mentioned Des Moines only because I feel it seems to have "good taste", and seems to be more careful & concerned with doing the right thing urban-wise than Omaha seems to (to me) -- like the city is more "level headed" or something. (Now, that doesn't mean the city doesn't need to tame its impulse & desire to renovate too many mid-Century buildings -- as you mentioned.) Des Moines's collection of downtown buildings, as a whole, are more tasteful & have more exciting flair than Omaha's collection as a whole, imo -- although I still favor Omaha's skyline over Des Moines (being my hometown). Des Moines sits in the center (& true heartbeat) of Iowa, Omaha doesn't enjoy the "heartbeat" of Nebraska & stradles the state line -- with a true "division" always present in town. Omaha's more awkwardly tugged between the East & West than Des Moines, being located in Nebraska -- a true transitional state between East & West. Yet, the city doesn't have an identity crisis at all -- plenty puts it on the map. It just needs to "raise the bar" a bit, imo. Maybe because it has survived all its existance as a "wallflower city on the Plains", and it is just now getting more attention & validation, it still has that old mindset at work and at play somewhat.

[buildomaha]

Eh, Des Moines isn't my idea of design inspiration. A more sterile aesthetic can only be found at Disney. They are determined to renovate the character completely out of every old building downtown. Everything cannot be pre war or current modern. I'm all for buildings representing different eras of architecture. Do it well and it keeps the city looking interesting.

I couldnt agree more. That's one reason I like Kansas City's striking skyline. It is such a perfect, eclectic balance of buildings from every era -- something Minneapolis or Denver can't claim (or Omaha or Des Moines can claim). That's the reason I don't like what Indianapolis allowed with their 1970's Indiana National Bank. The original building made the skyline more satisfying to me, personally. Now, with the remodel, it has that "forced new look" like this building (feaured here) has. I mentioned Des Moines only because I feel it seems to have "good taste", and seems to be more careful & concerned with doing the right thing urban-wise than Omaha seems to (to me) -- like the city is more "level headed" or something. (Now, that doesn't mean the city doesn't need to tame its impulse & desire to renovate too many mid-Century buildings -- as you mentioned.) Des Moines's collection of downtown buildings, as a whole, are more tasteful & have more exciting flair than Omaha's collection as a whole, imo -- although I still favor Omaha's skyline over Des Moines (being my hometown). Des Moines sits in the center (& true heartbeat) of Iowa, Omaha doesn't enjoy the "heartbeat" of Nebraska & stradles the state line -- with a true "division" always present in town. Omaha's more awkwardly tugged between the East & West than Des Moines, being located in Nebraska -- a true transitional state between East & West. Yet, the city doesn't have an identity crisis at all -- plenty puts it on the map. It just needs to "raise the bar" a bit, imo. Maybe because it has survived all its existance as a "wallflower city on the Plains", and it is just now getting more attention & validation, it still has that old mindset at work and at play somewhat.

Maybe the entire western NE and Eastern IA (Omaha area) should secede and form the 51st state? It seems to me like the rest of the state is dependent on the economic engine in the east.

[RockHarbor]

I'm just pointing out that Omaha logically has dealt with more "psychological discomforts" than Des Moines with it's location verses theirs, plus has been fighting the "wallflower city" thing all its existance. Yet, its now featured in movies, it has Warren B, it has a famous furniture store (that expanded to KC, then Dallas), it has Omaha Steaks, a famous insurance company & now their accompanying bank (that I even see in my new town, makes me happy), the College World Series, the best zoo in the country. Now, I'm sorry...that's impressive. Now, urban-wise, design-wise, I also want the best for Omaha -- to also be impressive in that category, too. ///////////////////// Anyways, back to this renovated building... This is exactly why I'm pegged "Rabbit Trail Man." Ugh... I think just because a company can eye empty, for-sale, vacant properties in town, and buy them up, and convert it to whatever, doesnt always mean they always should -- for the "good of the city." Now, Im thankful for any company that is interested in buying vacant properties in Omaha, and giving them life again, but still... I can't bare too much of this kind of stuff. What's next? Converting an Eppley terminal into big square footage condos? Some lady accidently puts a gouge in her wall moving furniture, and after the dust settles, underneath the dry wall she sees a commercial man's restroom sign & the airport's signature blond bricks? Lol

[TitosBuritoBarn]

NuStyle is kind of a crapshoot for design. Sometimes their projects look nice, like The Breakers and Atlas. Sometimes they're a little meh like Highline 2.0 and Slate. I think it's too early to tell with this discolored rendering how it'll turn out.

[RNcyanide]

NuStyle is kind of a crapshoot for design. Sometimes their projects look nice, like The Breakers and Atlas. Sometimes they're a little meh like Highline 2.0 and Slate. I think it's too early to tell with this discolored rendering how it'll turn out.

The black and white scheme is kind of getting old, and I'm not sure how it's going to age. I get they need to probably redo the windows and add balconies and whatnot, but I think the shape it has presently looks kinda neat and elegantly simple. It looks like they'll also add a floor too.

[nebugeater]

Eh, Des Moines isn't my idea of design inspiration. A more sterile aesthetic can only be found at Disney. They are determined to renovate the character completely out of every old building downtown. Everything cannot be pre war or current modern. I'm all for buildings representing different eras of architecture. Do it well and it keeps the city looking interesting.

I couldnt agree more. That's one reason I like Kansas City's striking skyline. It is such a perfect, eclectic balance of buildings from every era -- something Minneapolis or Denver can't claim (or Omaha or Des Moines can claim). That's the reason I don't like what Indianapolis allowed with their 1970's Indiana National Bank. The original building made the skyline more satisfying to me, personally. Now, with the remodel, it has that "forced new look" like this building (feaured here) has. I mentioned Des Moines only because I feel it seems to have "good taste", and seems to be more careful & concerned with doing the right thing urban-wise than Omaha seems to (to me) -- like the city is more "level headed" or something. (Now, that doesn't mean the city doesn't need to tame its impulse & desire to renovate too many mid-Century buildings -- as you mentioned.) Des Moines's collection of downtown buildings, as a whole, are more tasteful & have more exciting flair than Omaha's collection as a whole, imo -- although I still favor Omaha's skyline over Des Moines (being my hometown). Des Moines sits in the center (& true heartbeat) of Iowa, Omaha doesn't enjoy the "heartbeat" of Nebraska & stradles the state line -- with a true "division" always present in town. Omaha's more awkwardly tugged between the East & West than Des Moines, being located in Nebraska -- a true transitional state between East & West. Yet, the city doesn't have an identity crisis at all -- plenty puts it on the map. It just needs to "raise the bar" a bit, imo. Maybe because it has survived all its existance as a "wallflower city on the Plains", and it is just now getting more attention & validation, it still has that old mindset at work and at play somewhat.

Maybe the entire western NE and Eastern IA (Omaha area) should secede and form the 51st state? It seems to me like the rest of the state is dependent on the economic engine in the east.

You really don't understand anything about agriculture do you.

[RockHarbor]

I was reading more about this on Omaha.com. (They have a link to an area on their site that has a great rundown of all the current projects. ) That Wells Fargo building was built in 1969 -- the same year the Woodmen Tower was finished. I could tell it was from that era. It practically looks like the base of the Woodmen Tower. That's the perfect building to tear down for a new skyscraper, imo -- as nobody will really miss it, and its not an important building downtown that is a "keeper." Now, there will never be a bigger & taller building there. Thats why I dont want just any vacant building converted to apartments. It's like a quick "band-aid" slapped on things. I appreciate NuStyle's good intentions and their work around town, though.

[iamjacobm]

Work has already started here.

[RockHarbor]

Work has already started here.

I wish in the remodel they would set it up to add more floors in the future. It just is so short. "Blair Power Plant To Be Converted to Trendy & Swank Apartments." OK, I dont mind this project or the hospital, but I'm dreading future headlines if this pattern continues to snowball...

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Work has already started here.

I wish in the remodel they would set it up to add more floors in the future. It just is so short. "Blair Power Plant To Be Converted to Trendy & Swank Apartments." OK, I dont mind this project or the hospital, but I'm dreading future headlines if this pattern continues to snowball...

Hold up, Blair has a really cool old power plant...
Get on it NuStyle.

[RockHarbor]

Work has already started here.

I wish in the remodel they would set it up to add more floors in the future. It just is so short. "Blair Power Plant To Be Converted to Trendy & Swank Apartments." OK, I dont mind this project or the hospital, but I'm dreading future headlines if this pattern continues to snowball...

Hold up, Blair has a really cool old power plant...
Get on it NuStyle.

Lol. That would be awful... You're joking right? I'm just imagining a woman drawing her drapes, and there's the edge of a big, cement, wide, tall, huge, curving reactor stack (like you see at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania) right outside her window -- the top slowly blinking on & off with little red airplane warning lights. lol

[OmahaChef]

Being a big fan of architecture and design, I get some of the comments, although this style of architecture is currently popular among builders in quite a few American cities. Given the cost of construction, it is what is available at a somewhat cost effective level. Personally, I see nothing wrong with it.

Anyway, the main floor of the Wells Fargo Center is extremely tall, so I thought it smart that part of the first story has been turned into two stories, as is shown on the south side. I do find it interesting that no one has mentioned the "fifth" floor, as the overdone top of the building has become another floor of apartments in the rendering. That is where some of the additional square footage is coming from.

[mcarch]

That is one ugly building. I still think they should make the first floor a Hy-Vee Grocery Store... especially since the first floor is tall enough.

[obvious2677]

That is one ugly building. I still think they should make the first floor a Hy-Vee Grocery Store... especially since the first floor is tall enough.

That's kind of up to Hy-Vee...?

[Louie]

Work has begun here.