Mutual of Omaha Tower (14th & Farnam)

[thenewguy]

LOL. If you watch NFL games, he's the guy on CBS that makes you want to turn off the sound.

LOL, I can think of few means of torture more painful than watching the NFL on TV.

Really really off topic, but Tony Romo is one of the best analysts across all the major broadcasters for football in a long time. The name you're looking for Chris Collinsworth.

or Joe Buck

[thenewguy]

It's been a while since FNB was built, so I'm not sure if I remember if the original rendering vs final product (were very similar or if they changed substantially?). Hopefully we can see a final rendering sometime soon and some foundation work to go with it

[Omaha Cowboy]

It's been a while since FNB was built, so I'm not sure if I remember if the original rendering vs final product (were very similar or if they changed substantially?). Hopefully we can see a final rendering sometime soon and some foundation work to go with it

The final product and original rendering of the FNB tower were basically identical. Little, if anything changed..

I suspect the final rendering of the Mutual tower won’t change too much from what we’ve already seen. I’m predicting it’s final height will be in the 700-725 ft range…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mcarch]

It's been a while since FNB was built, so I'm not sure if I remember if the original rendering vs final product (were very similar or if they changed substantially?). Hopefully we can see a final rendering sometime soon and some foundation work to go with it

The final product and original rendering of the FNB tower were basically identical. Little, if anything changed..

I suspect the final rendering of the Mutual tower won’t change too much from what we’ve already seen. I’m predicting it’s final height will be in the 700-725 ft range…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I am agreeing with you on height, while also crossing my fingers. If I remember correctly, the FNB renderings did not change.

Question to everyone. I heard that Omaha (in the contract) has to find new Tenants for the Mutual of Omaha Building(s) that Mutual vacates once the new building is complete. Is this true?

If it is in fact true, this tells me that Mutual really in the long run wasn't focused/truthful/kept its promise on redevelopment of Midtown. And if I am double correct, all of Mutual's Properties in the midtown area are roughly 1 million Sq. Ft.? Who would be a tenant for that, especially for old office buildings built from around 1900's - 1975? I am just worried of vacant buildings that so far no one has had no long term or current plans (at least they haven't gone public yet).

[Omaha Cowboy]

It's been a while since FNB was built, so I'm not sure if I remember if the original rendering vs final product (were very similar or if they changed substantially?). Hopefully we can see a final rendering sometime soon and some foundation work to go with it

The final product and original rendering of the FNB tower were basically identical. Little, if anything changed..

I suspect the final rendering of the Mutual tower won’t change too much from what we’ve already seen. I’m predicting it’s final height will be in the 700-725 ft range…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I am agreeing with you on height, while also crossing my fingers. If I remember correctly, the FNB renderings did not change.

The original rendering of the FNB Tower in 1999, did not really change at all from the finished product in 2002..I like the look of the rendering of the Mutual Tower. While it’s probably likely there will be a few tweaks here and there, my hope is the finished product isn’t too far off from what we’ve seen in the rendering, and the height hopefully 50-75 feet taller than FNB…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Bob from Omaha]

Not too long after the FNB tower was occupied a VP of some sort said he wished they'd gone taller and a lot more square footage.

[Busguy2010]

Motion to rename this thread... "Mutual of Omaha Tower (14th & Farnam NW)" or something like that.

[Hawkeye]

Ok but if Mutual backs out YOU have to build it

If that were to happen, you have my commitment..

60-90 days…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

This is what we in the development biz call a binding verbal contract.
Sincerely,
Steve Minard

[Omaha Cowboy]

Ok but if Mutual backs out YOU have to build it

If that were to happen, you have my commitment..

60-90 days…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

This is what we in the development biz call a binding verbal contract.
Sincerely,
Steve Minard

Once again, ‘Ol Hawkeye judges corrrecly..

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mcarch]

Not too long after the FNB tower was occupied a VP of some sort said he wished they'd gone taller and a lot more square footage.

No person who has ever built a building for a company has ever built it big enough (they've always said this), because they always underestimate what they need and they run out of room.

They do the math of: We need to consolidate all of our buildings and employees from all of our current sites of x, y, and z into the new building, and all of our leased sites as well. But they forget that once you put everyone together space grows, it doesn't shrink. You start to think that, well we don't need duplicate copy rooms, break rooms, less restrooms, etc. But the thing is, those rooms in the new building will be just as large as the ones they had if not bigger to accommodate all people (and supplies) in one spot.

[Athomsfere]

Motion to rename this thread... "Mutual of Omaha Tower (14th & Farnam NW)" or something like that.

Second.

For posterity.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Not too long after the FNB tower was occupied a VP of some sort said he wished they'd gone taller and a lot more square footage.

No person who has ever built a building for a company has ever built it big enough (they've always said this), because they always underestimate what they need and they run out of room.

They do the math of: We need to consolidate all of our buildings and employees from all of our current sites of x, y, and z into the new building, and all of our leased sites as well. But they forget that once you put everyone together space grows, it doesn't shrink. You start to think that, well we don't need duplicate copy rooms, break rooms, less restrooms, etc. But the thing is, those rooms in the new building will be just as large as the ones they had if not bigger to accommodate all people (and supplies) in one spot.

I think the height of the FNB tower is just right at 634 FT.. Any taller, and it would throw the skyline out of balance..

That’s why I’m pretty certain when all is said and done with the Mutual tower, it’ll end up in the 700-725 FT range. To me, that would be the symmetry sweet spot for balance of Omaha’s 3 tallest…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

I think the height of the FNB tower is just right at 634 FT.. Any taller, and it would throw the skyline out of balance..

That’s why I’m pretty certain when all is said and done with the Mutual tower, it’ll end up in the 700-725 FT range. To me, that would be the symmetry sweet spot for balance of Omaha’s 3 tallest…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

For the sake of the argument though, from a city with a wonky looking skyline. Specifically Oklahoma City.

If we used the Devon Tower and the OKC skyline as the upper bound.

The difference between the Devon Tower, and the next tallest is just under 41%, or 344 feet.

We could use that and the FNBO tower, and say 888 feet would be "too tall" for the aesthetic balance we would want. But even using the same metric of the FNBO and the Woodmen (~25%), I'd say 792 feet would still look great for the MoO tower.

Really, I think we'd still look 100% ok up to maybe 825 feet.


I'd say use is the most important thing of course. If MoO thinks 900 feet is what they need, I won't complain. But I do suspect 725' is pushing what they will build. And ~700 feet would look the best right now. But if the old UP site got major infill, or anyone else tried to fill in the gaps in the skyline, we could push higher and let the skyline fill in over the next couple of decades.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think the height of the FNB tower is just right at 634 FT.. Any taller, and it would throw the skyline out of balance..

That’s why I’m pretty certain when all is said and done with the Mutual tower, it’ll end up in the 700-725 FT range. To me, that would be the symmetry sweet spot for balance of Omaha’s 3 tallest…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

For the sake of the argument though, from a city with a wonky looking skyline. Specifically Oklahoma City.

If we used the Devon Tower and the OKC skyline as the upper bound.

The difference between the Devon Tower, and the next tallest is just under 41%, or 344 feet.

We could use that and the FNBO tower, and say 888 feet would be "too tall" for the aesthetic balance we would want. But even using the same metric of the FNBO and the Woodmen (~25%), I'd say 792 feet would still look great for the MoO tower.

Really, I think we'd still look 100% ok up to maybe 825 feet.


I'd say use is the most important thing of course. If MoO thinks 900 feet is what they need, I won't complain. But I do suspect 725' is pushing what they will build. And ~700 feet would look the best right now. But if the old UP site got major infill, or anyone else tried to fill in the gaps in the skyline, we could push higher and let the skyline fill in over the next couple of decades.

Mutual can go as tall as they want and I won’t complain..

I just think for skyline balance symmetry, about 725 FT would be a “sweet spot”, then FNB at 634, Woodmen at 478 and UP at 319 etc..

But like I stated, if Mutual ends up going 800 plus, I’ll take it, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Cermak]

I think around 650-700 feet would be perfect. I like our FNB building and think it does wonders for our skyline. The Devon tower would look better in Dallas. Stands out to much in OKC.

[Athomsfere]

I think around 650-700 feet would be perfect. I like our FNB building and think it does wonders for our skyline. The Devon tower would look better in Dallas. Stands out to much in OKC.

A few other random thoughts though:

OKC is so low density. Only what, half a mile of their core has any real height, and it drops from 400+ feet to 3 stories in a block.

Omaha has almost 2 miles (linear from the river to MoO) of decent infill. And the 3 tallest buildings would be bunched together in the same area of the skyline.

I'm not arguing for MoO building a 800+ footer, but I do think it would look fine. Much better than OKC's Devon tower on the outside of all the rest of the height, and where the base is clearly visible from several blocks away due to surface lots.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I have heard from a rock solid source (Cryptic Rumor Dept approved)-

Since the City Council approved the $354 million TIF to fund the Streetcar line (7-0 unanimous vote) yesterday, Mutual’s CEO indicated internally today, this approval clears the way to accelerate the design and planning for the new tower..

Great news. Can’t wait to see the updated design and planning timeline!…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[skinzfan23]

I have heard from a rock solid source (Cryptic Rumor Dept approved)-

Since the City Council approved the $354 million TIF to fund the Streetcar line (7-0 unanimous vote) yesterday, Mutual’s CEO indicated internally today, this approval clears the way to accelerate the design and planning for the new tower..

Great news. Can’t wait to see the updated design and planning timeline!…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

That is great news!!!

[stormchaser]

Pure speculation but I have a hunch we will get at least an update or more info sometime during the grand re-opening of Gene Leahy this weekend. I could be wrong though…

[Omaha Cowboy]

I have heard from a rock solid source (Cryptic Rumor Dept approved)-

Since the City Council approved the $354 million TIF to fund the Streetcar line (7-0 unanimous vote) yesterday, Mutual’s CEO indicated internally today, this approval clears the way to accelerate the design and planning for the new tower..

Great news. Can’t wait to see the updated design and planning timeline!…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

That is great news!!!

It certainly is- as Stormchaser pointed out, we may be getting an update on this sooner rather than later..

Yesterday was a huge hurdle that cleared for both the streetcar line and the skyscraper to move forward as planned. I’ll stop short of saying “done deal” but we’re close- very close …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

Man, two weeks since the Mall prediction gave us nothing.

I'm really hoping we git the next morsel of news soon.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Man, two weeks since the Mall prediction gave us nothing.

I'm really hoping we git the next morsel of news soon.

The running forum joke on development is “60-90 days” per the failed Wallstreet Tower Townsend communication from years gone by, lol..

But here we are, July 11th and all planning/city-council hurdles have been cleared thus far. The 6/30/2022 unanimous approval of the $354 million TIF financing for the Streetcar was HUGE, as the Mutual Tower development and the Streetcar are tied together in the same package. My thought is, as we head into early Fall, we’ll get an update on the skyscraper design- it might be as soon as early August, or by late September. But somewhere during that time, I suspect we’ll get a project update. The Library demolition is set to begin in December, so I’m thinking the update will happen in September. But I’ll take something as soon as this week if I could …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

Agreed. I'd love to have the next carrot in view here.

The streetcar and MoO announcement were huge, exciting events. But I'd like to satiate my curiosity a little more.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’d say the carrots we’re looking for lately, have been the plan and financing hurdles cleared through several City-council votes thus far..Like I stated earlier, the June 30th hurdle was HUGE..

But it sure would be nice to get a skyscraper design update..Which I’d suspect, would show the tower design very similar to the initial rendering seen end of January..and I’d be VERY good with that…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

We are also IMO long overdue for renders for the civic site, plans for 1416 Dodge, and the MTC "campus"...

[skinzfan23]

Nothing new, but a timeline of the development so far:

Timeline: How Omaha's streetcar, Mutual's skyscraper & the downtown library demolition fit together


These are the most recent development notes:

June 16, 2022: The Omaha Public Library Board approved the formation of an advisory committee that will make recommendations on future library operations, including the proposed construction of the Heritage-funded new central library.

Library Board members and city officials said the move would bring diverse expertise to the shaping of future library operations.

But critics asserted that the committee's formation granted too much control and long-term influence to Heritage.

The 10-member committee includes city and library officials, the CEO of Do Space and a representative from the Community Information Trust, a nonprofit created by Heritage to oversee Do Space operations.

The committee will define and recommend priorities for the new library and the overall public library system, including potential revisions to the “library’s mission, vision and values as determined through the Advisory Committee research, Library Strategic Plans and input from stakeholders,” according to the resolution.

June 28, 2022: The Omaha City Council approved an agreement between the city and the Streetcar Authority for the approval of a special TIF district that would allocate up to $354 million in TIF to help fund the streetcar project.

Approval came despite the lack of a final analysis from MuniCap on the proposed streetcar financial plan. Multiple council members previously said they had hoped to have the analysis in hand before voting on the redevelopment agreement.

MuniCap did provide council members with an initial summary of findings that show it has so far found the financial feasibility of the plan to be in line with what the city predicted.

City Council members also approved a nearly $700,000 contract with with Cox Contracting for the demolition of the W. Dale Clark Library.

[Omaha Cowboy]

It was a nice timeline update by the W-H..

I believe once we head into Fall and start getting closer to the library demo in December, we’ll get a design update on the Mutual skyscraper. I’m thinking mid-late September, so roughly 2 months from now. In the meantime, all is progressing nicely and moving forward as it relates to the streetcar/skyscraper plan..

This said, it’d be cool to get a nugget within the next several weeks…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

It was a nice timeline update by the W-H..

I believe once we head into Fall and start getting closer to the library demo in December, we’ll get a design update on the Mutual skyscraper. I’m thinking mid-late September, so roughly 2 months from now. In the meantime, all is progressing nicely and moving forward as it relates to the streetcar/skyscraper plan..

This said, it’d be cool to get a nugget within the next several weeks…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Just a follow up to my post here from 10 days ago-

With the city announcing the demolition of the W Dale Clark will begin Oct 1st as opposed to mid December, if we connect the dots, this progression may also include accelerating the construction start for the Mutual of Omaha skyscraper from February 2023 to this December 2022..

To temper too much enthusiasm, it is likely the bigger reason for the earlier Demo, is the newly, soon to be renovated downtown branch at 1401 Jones St, is now scheduled to open in March, instead of Janurary; and a temporary library location will open at 1410 Howard St to keep library services open and available downtown- bridging the gap until the Jones St location is ready to open (whew, that’s a lot of juggling, lol)..

But..this happenstance, announced by the city yesterday, also begs the question- Now that the W Dale Clark is scheduled for an accelerated demo 2 months plus earlier, will Mutual pull the trigger and start construction of their new Skyscraper HQ’s 2 months early as well? And if that were to be the case, perhaps we would likely see final design plans as early as next month?..

All in all, the wheels are definitely in motion for a potential accelerated start to the skyscraper construction. It is with great anticipation I hope this is the case…

Fingers crossed …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Big E]

soon to be renovated downtown branch at 1401 Jones St

Has there been any discussion of putting some kind of crossing light on 13th & Jones as part of this? (14th & Jones in front of the library and old OKeefe building is one way south for some reason.)

It's been needed forever, as people turn left off Leavenworth at about 90 mph, and no one heading north on 13th slows down for anything. It's just four lanes of every man for himself.

I mean, I know the four trucks that drive there each day are more important than human lives, but just thinking out loud.

[Omaha Cowboy]

soon to be renovated downtown branch at 1401 Jones St

Has there been any discussion of putting some kind of crossing light on 13th & Jones as part of this? (14th & Jones in front of the library and old OKeefe building is one way south for some reason.)

It's been needed forever, as people turn left off Leavenworth at about 90 mph, and no one heading north on 13th slows down for anything. It's just four lanes of every man for himself.

I mean, I know the four trucks that drive there each day are more important than human lives, but just thinking out loud.

Seems like a reasonable and needed safety addition to the new library site..

Excited for the potential earlier start for the Mutual Tower HQ’s. I heard Jeff Beals also mention it this morning on Grow Omaha.. Maybe we’ll get a nugget in the next week or so…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[jjjjhskr]

can you imagine pedestrians trying to cross dodge or 72nd to get to the new library - talk about taking your life in your hands. I suggest a pedestrian overpass with elevators and escalators like in Las Vegas

[Omaha Cowboy]

Friends, I’m certain pedestrians trying to cross any busy intersection in our city/metro is a concern..and feel free to create a separate topic in the forum so it can be discussed..

Moving forward-

Let’s try and keep to topic in this thread- which is the development and construction of the Mutual of Omaha skyscraper HQ’s..

Thanks …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

With the city announcing the demolition of the W Dale Clark will begin Oct 1st as opposed to mid December, if we connect the dots, this progression may also include accelerating the construction start for the Mutual of Omaha skyscraper from February 2023 to this December 2022.
Ciao..LiO…Peace

I personally doubt it. By starting on October 1st, I think is only an effort to have the library gone by the time snow falls, albeit a good idea. I bet its moreso an effort to guarantee an early spring construction start as much as possible. Knowing the unpredictability of our late fall/winter/late winter the last few years, there could be 12" of snow on the ground, or it could be 75 and a tornado... I think starting early is more of a contingency effort, and a good effort at that.

[Omaha Cowboy]

As was intimated in the weekly Grow Omaha Market Report newsletter yesterday-

“The four-story W. Dale Clark library building will close to the public toward the end of August. At that time, Hallett & Sons Expert Movers, Inc. will begin to transfer library materials and equipment.

This will allow Cox Contracting to start demolition of the W. Dale Clark building on October 1st, a couple months earlier than originally expected. The sooner the current library building is removed, the sooner construction can begin on the Mutual of Omaha tower.”..

It just stands to reason-the earlier demo of the W Dale Clark, could lead to a sooner construction start to the Mutual skyscraper. Let’s hope so …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

A bit of intel regarding the tower..At least a trickle. From KMTV3 yesterday-

“Mutual of Omaha spokesperson Jim Nolan says the company is committed to environmental sustainability in its downtown Omaha tower project.

“We are deep into the design of the tower, and sustainability is one of our core principles," he said in an email to 3 News Now on Thursday. "But we don’t have details to share at this point in terms of specific designations or certifications ... Design and development of a building like this is extremely complicated and it takes some time to nail down these kinds of details."..

The complete story link:

https://www.3newsnow.com/news/investiga ... ils-sparse

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[zedmib]

Why not shoot for 850 feet? When First National announced the height of their tower I was amused that it was just a few feet taller than the tallest in DM and KC. At 850 it would be the tallest from Chicago to the west coast and from Dallas, and iirc, north to the north pole. And if you continue beyond the next taller building would be in St. Petersburg, Russia. Obviously that could be eclipsed by later buildings in Minneapolis, Calgary or Edmonton, but let's dream big!

[thenewguy]

Why not shoot for 850 feet? When First National announced the height of their tower I was amused that it was just a few feet taller than the tallest in DM and KC. At 850 it would be the tallest from Chicago to the west coast and from Dallas, and iirc, north to the north pole. And if you continue beyond the next taller building would be in St. Petersburg, Russia. Obviously that could be eclipsed by later buildings in Minneapolis, Calgary or Edmonton, but let's dream big!

I always thought it'd be cool if they'd do a couple of tall buildings that are slightly shorter in height (still tall, though- just adding density to the skyline by making them twins); sort of like Petronas towers in Malaysia? They are going to outgrow their need for 1 building eventually and then they could lease space to other businesses

[Linkin5]

Omaha needs density over height. Don’t really care what the final height is.

[TransitOriented]

Omaha needs density over height. Don’t really care what the final height is.

?? Adding height increases density.

[guy4omaha]

My preference would be something between 550 and 700 feet. But I will take whatever it turns out to be.