New Kiewit HQ

[clock84]

If you look at the aerial shot up further in this thread, I think the brick will make sense with the rest of the newer buildings around. It'll match up with the smaller Kiewit University once they get the southeast corner window block put in too.

[Louie]

The north side of the building has to 'un-windowed' strips that look very bad right now.

[Joe_Sovereign]

You think the building is ugly. Wait until you see their block long parking garage forming impenetrable wall of dead space between Creighton and North Downtown.

[Linkin5]

You think the building is ugly. Wait until you see their block long parking garage forming impenetrable wall of dead space between Creighton and North Downtown.

Yeah, I’m still in awe how Kiewit |expletive| this up so bad.

[daveoma]

Photo from this evening:

Nice pic ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Is it just the perspective of the photo or are those huge windows?

[Busguy2010]

Is it just the perspective of the photo or are those huge windows?

They are huge windows, meant to look like a warehouse.

[daveoma]

Is it just the perspective of the photo or are those huge windows?

They are huge windows, meant to look like a warehouse.

Valid criticisms of the building notwithstanding, that's a wonderful thing. I love that the workers will have a lot of natural light and I love that the building fits into the neighborhood.

[Busguy2010]

I like the building. We haven't had new construction that is meant to look like an old warehouse from the 1910's. The part I don't like about it is the SE corner facade/"modern" portion of it that looks like 20 other buildings of the past decade in this city. The fact that it loses off two blocks of 15th street is a negative, but the design isn't terrible, to me. It fits the area.

[Omahacritic]

It’s a brick veneer. Somewhat similar in appearance to next door. But nowhere near matching other brick exteriors in the area.

Architecturally, it’s a dud.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Is it just the perspective of the photo or are those huge windows?

They are huge windows, meant to look like a warehouse.

Valid criticisms of the building notwithstanding, that's a wonderful thing. I love that the workers will have a lot of natural light and I love that the building fits into the neighborhood.

I agree..

I don’t quite understand the “hate” for the building design. We all knew from the very beginning this wouldn’t be anything “earth shattering” as it relates to design..and I think we can all agree what a positive it is for Kiewit to build their world HQ’s in North Downtown. It’s a win-win for the core and will assist in spurring additional development within North Downtown. Taking a big picture perspective might help quell the disdain for the building design..which as others have pointed out, completely fits in with the architecture of the area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

Is it just the perspective of the photo or are those huge windows?

They are huge windows, meant to look like a warehouse.

Valid criticisms of the building notwithstanding, that's a wonderful thing. I love that the workers will have a lot of natural light and I love that the building fits into the neighborhood.

I agree..

I don’t quite understand the “hate” for the building design. We all knew from the very beginning this wouldn’t be anything “earth shattering” as it relates to design..and I think we can all agree what a positive it is for Kiewit to build their world HQ’s in North Downtown. It’s a win-win for the core and will assist in spurring additional development within North Downtown. Taking a big picture perspective might help quell the disdain for the building design..which as others have pointed out, completely fits in with the architecture of the area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Disagree. It barely fits in with others. Maybe when they install the glazing I will think differently. But “fitting in” is hardly the “big picture”.

More cornfield architecture begets the same.

Visitor:”Hey resident, what’s that 8 story building over there?”
Locals: “Well Visitor, the HQ of Kiewit Companies”.
Visitor; “you mean the builder of massive tunnels and massive infrastructure jobs around the world?”
Locals: “yes, that’s them”.
Visitor: “Ohhhhhhhh,”
Locals: “Want to see building that holds a major architecture firm?”

[Omaha Cowboy]

Is it just the perspective of the photo or are those huge windows?

They are huge windows, meant to look like a warehouse.

Valid criticisms of the building notwithstanding, that's a wonderful thing. I love that the workers will have a lot of natural light and I love that the building fits into the neighborhood.

I agree..

I don’t quite understand the “hate” for the building design. We all knew from the very beginning this wouldn’t be anything “earth shattering” as it relates to design..and I think we can all agree what a positive it is for Kiewit to build their world HQ’s in North Downtown. It’s a win-win for the core and will assist in spurring additional development within North Downtown. Taking a big picture perspective might help quell the disdain for the building design..which as others have pointed out, completely fits in with the architecture of the area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Disagree. It barely fits in with others. Maybe when they install the glazing I will think differently. But “fitting in” is hardly the “big picture”.

More cornfield architecture begets the same.

Visitor:”Hey resident, what’s that 8 story building over there?”
Locals: “Well Visitor, the HQ of Kiewit Companies”.
Visitor; “you mean the builder of massive tunnels and massive infrastructure jobs around the world?”
Locals: “yes, that’s them”.
Visitor: “Ohhhhhhhh,”
Locals: “Want to see building that holds a major architecture firm?”

LOL. Well, I disagree critic. “Fitting in is hardly the big picture”.. You completely miss the point..

Would you rather Kiewit build HQ’s out west in the suburbs? Worse yet- perhaps you’d rather they just skip town completely and build their world HQ’s elsewhere? LOL. Nonsense..

This is what happens when we allow dissatisfaction over a structure’s aesthetic appearance cloud what's really important.. Which is Omaha maintaining a significant local business and having them committed to the downtown core..whose added presence will likely spur additional developments in the area..

And frankly, WHO CARES what a visitor might “think” about the appearance of the building? What matters is what Kiewit thinks and what their commitment to downtown means for the city..

Finally, the building is not completed yet. It appears from what I’ve seen thus far, it’s looks fit right in with the architecture in the area. You might not want to put the cart before the horse on this aspect until the building is actually completed...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

So far as cart before the horse ... physician, heal thyself.

So far as “big picture” ... because we approach the topic with our unique perspectives I think it is a good coffee discussion.

The visitor view is extremely important, That “man on the street” visitor may be the next Jobs, Bezos, or Musk. You want those people to be inspired to locate in Omaha. Looking like Iowa won’t do the trick.

[Garrett]

So far as cart before the horse ... physician, heal thyself.

So far as “big picture” ... because we approach the topic with our unique perspectives I think it is a good coffee discussion.

The visitor view is extremely important, That “man on the street” visitor may be the next Jobs, Bezos, or Musk. You want those people to be inspired to locate in Omaha. Looking like Iowa won’t do the trick.

People aren’t necessarily going to be inspired or drawn to a place by a corporate headquarters architecture. There is way more to the psychology and life of a city than that.

[Omaha Cowboy]

So far as “big picture” ... because we approach the topic with our unique perspectives I think it is a good coffee discussion.

The visitor view is extremely important, That “man on the street” visitor may be the next Jobs, Bezos, or Musk. You want those people to be inspired to locate in Omaha. Looking like Iowa won’t do the trick.

It is a good coffee discussion. We definitely don’t see eye to eye on this one..

If a visitor, regardless who they are, judges a city by the way a building looks, they’re likely someone too immature or superficial to matter anyway..

There is much, MUCH more to a city/metro than building aesthetics.. In the end, I’ll come back to- WHO CARES...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

So far as “big picture” ... because we approach the topic with our unique perspectives I think it is a good coffee discussion.

The visitor view is extremely important, That “man on the street” visitor may be the next Jobs, Bezos, or Musk. You want those people to be inspired to locate in Omaha. Looking like Iowa won’t do the trick.

It is a good coffee discussion. We definitely don’t see eye to eye on this one..

If a visitor, regardless who they are, judges a city by the way a building looks, they’re likely someone too immature or superficial to matter anyway..

There is much, MUCH more to a city/metro than building aesthetics.. In the end, I’ll come back to- WHO CARES...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

There were some who complained about the rendering of the HDR building, saying it's too boring, unimpressive, uninspiring, especially for an architectural firm. Since its completion, I don't remember seeing the same complaints. It is a sharp looking building and most have applauded its addition to AV. I think the same will be said of the Kiewit HQ. Despite some qualms concerning design or aesthetic, I have confidence that most will be happy with the end product. Also, as others have said, we are seeing it right now with very minimal exterior work completed, let's give it a year before we start issuing final judgment on it.

[Omaha Cowboy]

So far as “big picture” ... because we approach the topic with our unique perspectives I think it is a good coffee discussion.

The visitor view is extremely important, That “man on the street” visitor may be the next Jobs, Bezos, or Musk. You want those people to be inspired to locate in Omaha. Looking like Iowa won’t do the trick.

It is a good coffee discussion. We definitely don’t see eye to eye on this one..

If a visitor, regardless who they are, judges a city by the way a building looks, they’re likely someone too immature or superficial to matter anyway..

There is much, MUCH more to a city/metro than building aesthetics.. In the end, I’ll come back to- WHO CARES...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

There were some who complained about the rendering of the HDR building, saying it's too boring, unimpressive, uninspiring, especially for an architectural firm. Since its completion, I don't remember seeing the same complaints. It is a sharp looking building and most have applauded its addition to AV. I think the same will be said of the Kiewit HQ. Despite some qualms concerning design or aesthetic, I have confidence that most will be happy with the end product. Also, as others have said, we are seeing it right now with very minimal exterior work completed, let's give it a year before we start issuing final judgment on it.

Agreed ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

So far as “big picture” ... because we approach the topic with our unique perspectives I think it is a good coffee discussion.

The visitor view is extremely important, That “man on the street” visitor may be the next Jobs, Bezos, or Musk. You want those people to be inspired to locate in Omaha. Looking like Iowa won’t do the trick.

It is a good coffee discussion. We definitely don’t see eye to eye on this one..

If a visitor, regardless who they are, judges a city by the way a building looks, they’re likely someone too immature or superficial to matter anyway..

There is much, MUCH more to a city/metro than building aesthetics.. In the end, I’ll come back to- WHO CARES...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Why then the uproar over the tear down of old buildings?

Back in the day, kings built castles to awe and impress. Churches were built fo much the same reason.

When was last time you walked on a University campus? Structures are built and arranged to inspire thought.

[Linkin5]

Kiewit headquarters planned for north downtown won't have retail space in parking garage


Developers of the construction and engineering company’s offices are asking the city to waive a requirement that garages built in certain areas include first-floor retail offerings, like restaurants and shops.

I’ll just leave this here as a reminder why this project is so disappointing. Unless this request got turned down and I missed it, I still can’t believe Kiewit got away with building a massive pedestrian dead zone.

[Omaha Cowboy]

So far as “big picture” ... because we approach the topic with our unique perspectives I think it is a good coffee discussion.

The visitor view is extremely important, That “man on the street” visitor may be the next Jobs, Bezos, or Musk. You want those people to be inspired to locate in Omaha. Looking like Iowa won’t do the trick.

It is a good coffee discussion. We definitely don’t see eye to eye on this one..

If a visitor, regardless who they are, judges a city by the way a building looks, they’re likely someone too immature or superficial to matter anyway..

There is much, MUCH more to a city/metro than building aesthetics.. In the end, I’ll come back to- WHO CARES...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Why then the uproar over the tear down of old buildings?

Back in the day, kings built castles to awe and impress. Churches were built fo much the same reason.

When was last time you walked on a University campus? Structures are built and arranged to inspire thought.

Oh come on critic. This isn’t apples to apples and you know it, lol..

You’re making several big assumptions here- #1- That the new Kiewit HQ’s building will inspire some out of town visitor to declare Omaha a worthy place for business (or not). #2- The new Kiewit HQ’s building will inspire “thought” as if a visitor was strolling along a college campus, lol. #3- The Kiewit HQ’s structure, not yet completed, will end up a “dud” as you say.. None of these factors, imo, matter at all as it relates to a visitors impression of Omaha after they view the COMPLETED Kiewit HQ’s building..

And why the uproar over tearing down old buildings? Because many of the ones which have been demolished (mainly Jobbers Canyon) reflected the historic past and fabric of Omaha. It was a historic landmark. If you’re trying to compare that to the potential aesthetics of the not yet completed Kiewit HQ’s building, you’re reaching in a massively big way..and as I stated previously, it’s not remotely apples to apples..

Why not just relax and enjoy the process of the completion of this HQ’s building, be thankful Kiewit decided to commit to North Downtown and the core of Omaha, and see what the future holds as their presence will likely spur additional development into the area..which will help to create the 24/7 environment visionary Omaha leaders had for NDT when new construction started there nearly 20 years ago...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[buildomaha]

I agree with the sentiment that the project is a little disappointing when it comes to pedestrian issues with the parking garage, but I do respect the development this will help drive in NDT and am thankful Kiewit decided to keep their world HQ in Omaha. Businesses like Kiewit and Flywheel acting as anchors for NDT is great and having businesses in the area that to start out with was primarily entertainment will be great.

[guy4omaha]

I agree with the sentiment that the project is a little disappointing when it comes to pedestrian issues with the parking garage, but I do respect the development this will help drive in NDT and am thankful Kiewit decided to keep their world HQ in Omaha. Businesses like Kiewit and Flywheel acting as anchors for NDT is great and having businesses in the area that to start out with was primarily entertainment will be great.

^^This

[Omahacritic]

Cowboy, I’m slow to respond. Enjoying the weather!

I guess if you look next door, you get an idea what the Kiewit tower will look like. I’ve been gone a few weeks but I imagine the glazing is being installed and the faux brick is entirely installed. But when I return I imagine I’ll be underwhelmed.

Is it a coincidence that Peter Kiewit used to own what was once a good newspaper?

However, yes, I am glad Kiewit still calls Omaha it’s home.

[NEDodger]

Drove by it this weekend while hanging out downtown and am on the same page as OmahaCritic. I’m glad they chose to stay in Omaha, but....

....the thing kind of looks like a Dino’s Storage, both size and looks-wise. I’m disappointed because I really thought Kiewit would be our best shot at another downtown skyscraper.

[Cermak]

I Still think this will look good when finished. I never thought Kiewit would build a skyscraper. I did think they would maybe leave Omaha for another city. So I am happy they chose to build here in Omaha, especially Downtown.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I Still think this will look good when finished. I never thought Kiewit would build a skyscraper. I did think they would maybe leave Omaha for another city. So I am happy they chose to build here in Omaha, especially Downtown.

And I agree..

Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion. But some of the “gloom and doom” I’ve read here regarding this development is a bit silly to me (just my opinion no offense to any poster intended)..

One thing to remember- when Kiewit announced they’d build HQ’s in North Downtown nearly 2 years ago, I can’t imagine anyone thinking the building would be a skyscraper or highrise. Something like that would simply look out of place in NDT..so the 8 story structure while not “earth shattering” certainly is a significant, welcome and needed component for NDT and the entire core really..

I am glad to read that while some are “underwhelmed” by the structure, they are glad Kiewit chose to build downtown. And that is what’s most important anyway ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

Yes, skyscraper would be needless. It’s not the size that counts, it’s the aesthetic.

I’ll look at with fresh eyes next week.

[NEDodger]

To clarify, I was not expecting a skyscraper on this spot. My belief was that Kiewit would have been our best chance at a corporate skyscraper had it been built in downtown proper.

[Busguy2010]

To clarify, I was not expecting a skyscraper on this spot. My belief was that Kiewit would have been our best chance at a corporate skyscraper had it been built in downtown proper.

And that's fair. I think we all kinda believed that.

[Omahacritic]

Can you guess the building?









Actually, four different downtown buildings. Not including Tip Top.
If you guessed one of them is new Kiewit ... kudos. That is what passes for innovative architecture in Omaha these days.
Step one ... get cookie cutter.
Step two ... construct building.
Step three ... get World Herald to write a fluff piece.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I’ll give you that it has less detail than the other three, but usually you want to try to match architecture styles with the surrounding neighborhood.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’ll give you that it has less detail than the other three, but usually you want to try to match architecture styles with the surrounding neighborhood.

Agreed...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

I’ll give you that it has less detail than the other three, but usually you want to try to match architecture styles with the surrounding neighborhood.

Except none of the buildings is within 6 blocks. With such logic, First Nat Center would look like Red Lion. UP building would look like Red Lion. Lanoha proposal would look like Red Lion. And so on.

Want to build your own little Leavittown?

Or maybe “Little Boxes”:

“Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky tacky,
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.”

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I’ll give you that it has less detail than the other three, but usually you want to try to match architecture styles with the surrounding neighborhood.

Except none of the buildings is within 6 blocks. With such logic, First Nat Center would look like Red Lion. UP building would look like Red Lion. Lanoha proposal would look like Red Lion. And so on.

Want to build your own little Leavittown?

Or maybe “Little Boxes”:

“Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky tacky,
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.”

Frankly I don't know what these buildings are located from the pictures, but North Downtown's general aesthetic is brick warehouses and retail buildings. There aren't as many these days, but historically that's what it's been known for and there are a few prime examples left that have kept the pattern set like the TipTop building, those around Hot Shops, China Taste, etc. It's also an aesthetic that people are drawn to - it's been trendy for awhile. Why not embrace it where you can?

With regard to the First National building, UP, Red Lion, etc., CBDs are generally an exception to the rule for matching, especially for cities the size of Omaha. Prominent downtown buildings are generally meant to stand out and be unique. However, many larger cities do have fairly uniform skylines. The City of London, Paris's La Defense, and midtown New York generally utilize the same architectural styles. This is largely due most of the buildings within these skylines being built during one architectural era coupled with limitations on building materials - you couldn't exactly build the Shard of London out of your typical English brick.

But this is not the CBD. North Downtown is a neighborhood. I see what you're saying with Leavittown and with that poem, but if you read the poem again, you'll note that one key, repeated point is that the little boxes are made of ticky tacky - implying they are built cheaply and with little thought. Cheap and uniform are together the criticism of suburbia as depicted in this poem. Again, they could have added more detail to the Kiewit building, but you don't often get criticism for thoughtful, detailed, and/or patina-ed and uniform together:

Paris:


San Francisco:


New York:


Nobody goes to Paris for the crazy architectural patterns.

[Omahacritic]

The “three sisters” are not in Paris. Go back to your Full House reruns.

You mention Paris but leave out Pompidou Center. Or the Louvre pyramid. But even as you go down the Champ de you notice subtle changes.

London ... don’t forget the “Walkie Talkie”, the Lloyds building, or even the television tower.

The point about the other buildings I showed ... they are a dime a dozen.

Ticky Tack .., actually, words to a song. And appropriate because really, the new Kiewit building is an extension of 50’s Leavittowns.
The Kiewit being north downtown should be irrelevant to its architecture.

[Garrett]

The “three sisters” are not in Paris. Go back to your Full House reruns.

You mention Paris but leave out Pompidou Center. Or the Louvre pyramid. But even as you go down the Champ de you notice subtle changes.

London ... don’t forget the “Walkie Talkie”, the Lloyds building, or even the television tower.

The point about the other buildings I showed ... they are a dime a dozen.

Ticky Tack .., actually, words to a song. And appropriate because really, the new Kiewit building is an extension of 50’s Leavittowns.
The Kiewit being north downtown should be irrelevant to its architecture.

I mean he does note in his post that the cities shown are Paris, San Francisco, and New York. And those aren't the Three Sisters anyway. The buildings you note are all monuments, not neighborhood buildings as Kiewit is trying to build. In the vast majority of Paris, you will find buildings that look exactly like the ones Tito pictured. Take Park Slope in Brooklyn: one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city and most of the streets look like this:

[TitosBuritoBarn]

The “three sisters” are not in Paris. Go back to your Full House reruns.

I'm not sure when I mentioned anything about the three sisters... The first pic is Paris, the second pic is San Francisco, and the third pic is New York as I have labeled them. The point was to show random streets in well regarded urban neighborhoods with common patterns in architecture and design.

You mention Paris but leave out Pompidou Center. Or the Louvre pyramid.

Garrett is right, you're comparing monuments to general neighborhood buildings. Monuments are a similar exception to CBDs.

But even as you go down the Champ de you notice subtle changes.

Subtle being key. There are different architectural styles and different construction eras represented along the Champs-Elysee, but each building fits within certain aesthetic principles and context. You won't, for example, suddenly come upon a 20-story, jet-black example of Chicago Modernism while on the Champs-Elysee.

London ... don’t forget the “Walkie Talkie”, the Lloyds building, or even the television tower.

CBD buildings. See above

The point about the other buildings I showed ... they are a dime a dozen.

And Kiewit is not a carbon copy of any of them, but you can only do so much to tie in with a neighborhood predominantly composed of brick warehouses.

[Linkin5]

Omahacritic is Rockharbor. Discuss.

[Louie]

Omahacritic is Rockharbor. Discuss.

Oh my god, I'm dead haha.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Omahacritic is Rockharbor. Discuss.

Just because you don't like what Omahacritic has to say you are trying to paint the bullseye on him and slander and humiliate him. If you do successfully pull your scheme off it would not surprise me nor would it be the first time I have ever seen it done here. Sorry but you did ask!