Fairmont Creamery Building (12th &Jones)

[iamjacobm]

http://www.omaha.com/money/omaha-s-fair ... 0757f.html

But today, under different ownership, only about 20 percent of the cavernous 12th and Jones Streets plant that dates back to 1898 is actually used by its meat-processing business. Soon the 50 or so people who work there will move to more efficient digs elsewhere in the city.

That puts up for grabs one of the Old Market area’s last original brick warehouses still used for industrial purposes.

While the fate of the nearly 132,000-square-foot structure is up to a buyer, many foresee its future as trendy loft apartments on top of street-level retail shops.

Indeed, a rendering by Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture lays out the possibility of a 99-unit mixed-use complex with more than 24,000 square feet of retail space with deck areas and tables along what now are industrial loading docks.

Example rendering of what could be done here.

[Coyote]

That would be a great addition to the Jones St area. When was the area slated for new street bricks? And with Kanecko catty corner...

[iamjacobm]

That would be a great addition to the Jones St area. When was the area slated for new street bricks? And with Kanecko catty corner...

Article said Jones St scheduled for 2020. Would be nice to maybe get everything u/c at the same time to reduce the headache.

[skinzfan23]

I saw that rendering. That would be great to have all those windows in the buildings. Amazing potential here.

[iamjacobm]

I saw that rendering. That would be great to have all those windows in the buildings. Amazing potential here.

Some big time opportunities for the Old Market neighborhood over the next few years. Moxy, Landmark Hotel/new plaza, here, Warren Distribution land, Chamber site. Could add +250 hotel rooms, +250 residential units and retail space to the area.

[Louie]

That would be spectacular.

[asherballa]

I kind of wish the pink color change was a done deal. Has anyone ever taken a jog or stroll from MTC to the downtown/Old Market area on cold, gray March day? It is drab, drab, drab -- lots of brown and gray and not much else. I know that most of our urban buildings are brick and that isn't going to change, but some attention to the downtown color scheme would be a nice changeup.

[mcarch]

That would be a great addition to the Jones St area. When was the area slated for new street bricks? And with Kanecko catty corner...

Article said Jones St scheduled for 2020. Would be nice to maybe get everything u/c at the same time to reduce the headache.

Um, if this is to be successful, they need to move redoing the street way before 2020! If you drive down Jones you might as well just drive your car straight into the river.

[admiralArchArch]

Walked by on lunch break and noticed the for-sale signs were removed and according to the DC Assessor page there was a real estate transfer on 8/17/18 between Needham Properties INC and Fairmont Creamery LLC facilitated by Ryan Kuhel of Investors Realty. Also noticed Now Hiring signs on the building.

[iamjacobm]

Walked by on lunch break and noticed the for-sale signs were removed and according to the DC Assessor page there was a real estate transfer on 8/17/18 between Needham Properties INC and Fairmont Creamery LLC facilitated by Ryan Kuhel of Investors Realty. Also noticed Now Hiring signs on the building.

Nice find, LLC traces back to 7 Oaks Investments it looks like. Sold for $3 Million.

https://www.7oaksinvestmentscorp.com/?_rdr

[SiliconFarmer]

Ace Pipe Cleaning is currently working at the site

[iamjacobm]

Rezoning before the planning board.

Not much info, just says a mix of uses.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... uly/12.pdf

[iamjacobm]

https://www.omaha.com/money/30-million- ... 9c9.html#2

A nearly $30 million project is underway to transform a rare Old Market area industrial complex into a modern mix of condos, apartments, office, retail and gallery space.

When done, the three-building Fairmont Creamery at 12th and Jones Streets is to stretch seven stories high on its east end. That’s where a new floor is to be added for penthouse condos.

A new floor also is to be built atop the westernmost part of the complex, adding a fourth level to house amenities for apartment dwellers that include a fitness room and rooftop swimming pool.

Wrapping new ground-floor retail bays will be a raised dock area where people can socialize, eat, drink or stroll around the place that will retain the nostalgic Fairmont Creamery name.

[Omahacritic]

This will be an interesting project to watch. Begs the question will they go for blending in the top floor additions or go ambitious. Good to see this underutilized block put to use.

[Omaha Cowboy]

This will be an interesting project to watch. Begs the question will they go for blending in the top floor additions or go ambitious. Good to see this underutilized block put to use.

It really will be.. And admittedly, I’m a bit jealous you’ll get a Birdseye View..

Makes me yearn to move back east of 42nd St again.. I’ve been out in West O far too long this go around, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Looks like a good project and even better that it is activating this area of Old Market. I like that the company redeveloping it is headed by a local architect that loves the City. I am looking forward to seeing this one completed.

Also, I hope the trend of adding additional floors and creating rooftop spaces continues downtown.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Looks like a good project and even better that it is activating this area of Old Market. I like that the company redeveloping it is headed by a local architect that loves the City. I am looking forward to seeing this one completed.

Also, I hope the trend of adding additional floors and creating rooftop spaces continues downtown.

Very true. It’s a great sign..

And adding on to what’s already in place adds to built up density in the core, along with preserving the original architecture...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Louie]

Looks like a good project and even better that it is activating this area of Old Market. I like that the company redeveloping it is headed by a local architect that loves the City. I am looking forward to seeing this one completed.

Also, I hope the trend of adding additional floors and creating rooftop spaces continues downtown.

Very true. It’s a great sign..

And adding on to what’s already in place adds to built up density in the core, along with preserving the original architecture...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Helps stretch the OM to the south beginning to connect to the Flatiron area, too

[ita]

Update from today's article about downtown history (https://omaha.com/business/local/could- ... the-latest):

Cindy Gonzalez
At 12th and Jones Streets, the Fairmont Creamery stands as an example of how challenging a conversion project can get. Omahan Paul Waggener bought the former cold storage and meat-processing plant, which dates back to 1898, and planned to create 142,000 square feet of residences, retail and gallery space.

The estimated $30 million rehab now has stalled, due mostly to rising wood and steel prices, said Waggener, who is considering bringing on a partner. Earlier, Waggener said he "fell in love" with the structure then only about 20% in use, adding that he "wanted to make sure she was taken care of properly."

[skinzfan23]

I saw that blurb as well in the article. Hopefully this is just temporary, I would love to see it still happen.

[ita]

I saw that blurb as well in the article. Hopefully this is just temporary, I would love to see it still happen.

Agreed, I hope it doesn't completely fall through. This would be an amazing project for Old Market.

[Athomsfere]

Feels a little like mismanagement to me. Why couldn't the core of it get re-habbed and rented, and then use that to finance the rest?

Did he not even have the runway to get that far?

[ita]

Feels a little like mismanagement to me. Why couldn't the core of it get re-habbed and rented, and then use that to finance the rest?

Did he not even have the runway to get that far?

If you go back to the article from OWH on the project, which is almost exactly a year ago, the owner was still demoing and remediating hazardous aspects of the property. I don't know about mismanagement as it would make sense that inflation in materials cost, which was likely an unforeseen variable, at least to the extent we've experienced, blew up the $30 million price tag. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but I really hope this doesn't kill the project altogether.

[iamjacobm]

This is an insanely cool property, but it needs a massive amount of work. The basement was basically filled with some sort of poisonous gas from the old refrigeration system that took like a year to pump out. Each building is going to be a bear to bring up to ADA standards. Almost every window being broken out left one floor covered in about a foot of bird poop. There are a bunch of other issues they have had to work through just to get to where they are today.

I hope they can find a partner with deep pockets that is willing to see this one through b/c it isn't an easy project.

[NEDodger]

Good elaboration of the problems, Jacob. Unfortunate because this would be great to see completed. Sounds like the guy really hit a perfect storm on this…

[iamjacobm]

Current owner must not have been able to make it work. This is back on the market for sale.

[Brad]

Dang, that’s too bad. I really want to see this one start moving forward.

[skinzfan23]

That is sad news. Hopefully someone else will be able to convert it in the same manner. This would still be a very desirable building.

[iamjacobm]

Heard there may be a buyer. Locals with some recent experience doing rehab.

[iamjacobm]

Heard there may be a buyer. Locals with some recent experience doing rehab.

Was told the deal closed. The group has done a lot of work on the east side of town. Excited to see what kind of details are announced.

[nebport5]

Heard there may be a buyer. Locals with some recent experience doing rehab.

Was told the deal closed. The group has done a lot of work on the east side of town. Excited to see what kind of details are announced.

That's great to hear particularly if they can salvage a reasonable amount of the facade. Could this be Clarity Development Co?

[ita]

Heard there may be a buyer. Locals with some recent experience doing rehab.

Was told the deal closed. The group has done a lot of work on the east side of town. Excited to see what kind of details are announced.

That's great to hear particularly if they can salvage a reasonable amount of the facade. Could this be Clarity Development Co?

I am putting my money on nustyle. They haven't had big project in downtown since the Bank project. I think the could pull it off.

[skip]

Any updates on if this building is still planned to be revitalized? I walk past this building almost every other day and it would be nice to see the stretch between 12th and 13th streets on Jones to be redeveloped. It’s the Fairmont building on one side and parking lots on the other side (with the cute little one story building that has a charming design). Very much a desolate area on the edge of the old market.

[skinzfan23]

I haven't heard anything, but I agree, it would be nice to see some movement here and also those parking lots across the street next to the old depot.

[skip]

Excuse my ignorance, the "For Sale" signs on the corner of 12th and Jones have been down for weeks, if not months. Movement must be happening.

[realestate_zach]

The last I heard was that a local development group (I was not involved in the project, and can't name the group that was) was very deep into negotiations with the seller but ultimately backed out of the purchase. As I understand it, there are significant structural issues with the three buildings that make up the site, and it was determined that redevelopment would be cost-prohibitive at that time. Interest rates and construction costs haven't been kind recently, and I think many project opportunities like this will sit for the time being.

[Louie]

The last I heard was that a local development group (I was not involved in the project, and can't name the group that was) was very deep into negotiations with the seller but ultimately backed out of the purchase. As I understand it, there are significant structural issues with the three buildings that make up the site, and it was determined that redevelopment would be cost-prohibitive at that time. Interest rates and construction costs haven't been kind recently, and I think many project opportunities like this will sit for the time being.

Dang. Wonder what the main issues are with the structure.

[djc311]

The last I heard was that a local development group (I was not involved in the project, and can't name the group that was) was very deep into negotiations with the seller but ultimately backed out of the purchase. As I understand it, there are significant structural issues with the three buildings that make up the site, and it was determined that redevelopment would be cost-prohibitive at that time. Interest rates and construction costs haven't been kind recently, and I think many project opportunities like this will sit for the time being.

Dang. Wonder what the main issues are with the structure.

It may fall over

[Louie]

The last I heard was that a local development group (I was not involved in the project, and can't name the group that was) was very deep into negotiations with the seller but ultimately backed out of the purchase. As I understand it, there are significant structural issues with the three buildings that make up the site, and it was determined that redevelopment would be cost-prohibitive at that time. Interest rates and construction costs haven't been kind recently, and I think many project opportunities like this will sit for the time being.

Dang. Wonder what the main issues are with the structure.

It may fall over

I hope the engineer used that phrasing when inspecting it

[InTheRoom]

The last I heard was that a local development group (I was not involved in the project, and can't name the group that was) was very deep into negotiations with the seller but ultimately backed out of the purchase. As I understand it, there are significant structural issues with the three buildings that make up the site, and it was determined that redevelopment would be cost-prohibitive at that time. Interest rates and construction costs haven't been kind recently, and I think many project opportunities like this will sit for the time being.

Dang. Wonder what the main issues are with the structure.

It may fall over

I hope the engineer used that phrasing when inspecting it

The engineer: