Will the twins survive?

[edsas2]

With the Mutual of Omaha Tower coming in and pretty much "standing in front of" the much shorter twins, do you think they will last another decade or so? Or will they be torn down for another development? The redevelopment project slated for the twins looked pretty cool, but I understand that deal has fallen through after the MoO announcement. The gap between them makes for a photogenic image. But if you can't see them, then there really isn't much reason for the design.

So, what do you think? Do the twins survive in the shadow of Mutual?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Interesting question..

There was a redesign and 3rd tower addition to this development proposed before Mutual announced its plans to build their skyscraper on the W Dale Clark parcel..those plans, from what I’ve heard, have been scrapped..

I think the answer as to the survival of the Twin Tower development is keeping/continuing to attract tenants..

The building’s design is unique, as is it’s “color profile"..My answer is “survival” for the Twins. I’d say they probably have 20 or so years left. The ability to maintain and attract tenants will be the key (as per usual )..In the end, I’d hate to lose the mid rise density they provide…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[edsas2]

Nothing can temper my excitement for the MoO Tower and its location at the very head of Gene Leahy, but I will need to see what I think of the twins after 2026, when the Mutual is standing. The front-on view (which is the key vantage in appreciating the twins' design) simply won't exist anymore. Ideally, I would like to see them remain, but redeveloped much in the vein of the proposed redevelopment that was scrapped. I do hope they remain standing for density sake or, at least, replaced with something of the same height, but makes more sense from a design standpoint sitting amidst a collection of taller scrapers.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Nothing can temper my excitement for the MoO Tower and its location at the very head of Gene Leahy, but I will need to see what I think of the twins after 2026, when the Mutual is standing. The front-on view (which is the key vantage in appreciating the twins' design) simply won't exist anymore. Ideally, I would like to see them remain, but redeveloped much in the vein of the proposed redevelopment that was scrapped. I do hope they remain standing for density sake or, at least, replaced with something of the same height, but makes more sense from a design standpoint sitting amidst a collection of taller scrapers.

Overall, I agree with you here. I have a belief they’ll still be standing 20 years from now..but a “refresh” would be nice..

The Mutual Skyscraper is such a huge, welcomed, skyline changing development.. It’s not every day a 1 million population metro like Omaha gets something like this built..especially in these sort of “post pandemic” times..

I think the next parcel where we’ll see, hopefully, another tall highrise- will be 1416 Dodge.. I’ve mentioned this in another thread, but since the city demolished the old UP building, their “want” has always been a significant skyline enhancing development on this parcel. Now that the city owns it again, that “want” is definitely in play..

Imagine a 350-400 footer going up at that property to compliment the 677 FT “Big Daddy” Mutual of Omaha skyscraper..Omaha would have a skyline which would rival metropolitan areas 2 to 3 times it size.. He!l, just the addition of the Mutual skyscraper pretty much puts Omaha at the head of the pack in its 1 to 1.5 million metropolitan population peer group…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Bob from Omaha]

Well, in 2020 someone bought the property for a combined $17 million. I'd imagine they might have something to say about this. More to the point, the better part of the property doesn't currently have much of a view. Yes, the view OF them from due east is pretty but the towers are good space. Large floor plates and they are downtown. They will be on or near the streetcar route. They aren't that old compared to the renovated VERY old office buildings. I don't know what amenities they have but I'd imagine they do have some class A amenities. I could go on but you get my point.
In the end their future is in the hands of the owners, managers and the market for such space.

[MadJack]

My guess is that the twins are in place for many, many years, long past our lifetimes. While the major addition appears to be cancelled, I have heard that a smaller renovation might be in the works.

[Athomsfere]

Why was the update cancelled? If anything adding more space to that building makes more sense now than it did when that project was announced.

[Cermak]

If anything they should have a front row view of a beautiful new skyscraper. I see them surviving at least for the next 20 years. They could be demolished at some point down the road. Yes the iconic view will be gone, but they can still be attractive office space in the heart of a vibrant downtown. I've always liked the color of these buildings, you don't see that kind of color much. It's a nice contrast to the rest of the DT buildings.

[Louie]

Yeah, I'd be surprised if they were gone in 20 years. It's good building stock and I think demand for it will continue to increase over the next 20 years.

[omaha79]

Mutual has mentioned an option to build an additional building if they continue to grow the business and/or people start to return to work more substantially. Flat out, the new Mutual tower will not handle the workforce they currently have in Omaha, let alone room for growth is there is a sea change back to in office work.

With that in mind, it could almost make sense for them to inhabit much of those buildings, with a significant renovation, in the future. Do I think that will happen? No. They'd probably build a 2nd mid rise tower of their own, but it would make as much sense as anything for them to use these.

[Athomsfere]

Mutual has mentioned an option to build an additional building if they continue to grow the business and/or people start to return to work more substantially. Flat out, the new Mutual tower will not handle the workforce they currently have in Omaha, let alone room for growth is there is a sea change back to in office work.

With that in mind, it could almost make sense for them to inhabit much of those buildings, with a significant renovation, in the future. Do I think that will happen? No. They'd probably build a 2nd mid rise tower of their own, but it would make as much sense as anything for them to use these.

They have rights to build on the next lot to the east too though. That's the more likely expansion.

[Doctor Fate]

Mutual has mentioned an option to build an additional building if they continue to grow the business and/or people start to return to work more substantially. Flat out, the new Mutual tower will not handle the workforce they currently have in Omaha, let alone room for growth is there is a sea change back to in office work.

With that in mind, it could almost make sense for them to inhabit much of those buildings, with a significant renovation, in the future. Do I think that will happen? No. They'd probably build a 2nd mid rise tower of their own, but it would make as much sense as anything for them to use these.

If they build a 2nd tower, it will be on the block to the east of the Mutual Tower. They said it could be up to 320 ft. and if the lot gets sold back to the city, the building height will be capped at 140 ft. and require a green roof.

[Louie]

Mutual has mentioned an option to build an additional building if they continue to grow the business and/or people start to return to work more substantially. Flat out, the new Mutual tower will not handle the workforce they currently have in Omaha, let alone room for growth is there is a sea change back to in office work.

With that in mind, it could almost make sense for them to inhabit much of those buildings, with a significant renovation, in the future. Do I think that will happen? No. They'd probably build a 2nd mid rise tower of their own, but it would make as much sense as anything for them to use these.

If they build a 2nd tower, it will be on the block to the east of the Mutual Tower. They said it could be up to 320 ft. and if the lot gets sold back to the city, the building height will be capped at 140 ft. and require a green roof.

320 if MoO builds on it?

[Athomsfere]

Mutual has mentioned an option to build an additional building if they continue to grow the business and/or people start to return to work more substantially. Flat out, the new Mutual tower will not handle the workforce they currently have in Omaha, let alone room for growth is there is a sea change back to in office work.

With that in mind, it could almost make sense for them to inhabit much of those buildings, with a significant renovation, in the future. Do I think that will happen? No. They'd probably build a 2nd mid rise tower of their own, but it would make as much sense as anything for them to use these.

They said it could be up to 320 ft.

That would tie it for Omaha's 4th tallest building...

[Stargazer]

I'd expect to see the Nebraska Office Building go long before Central Park Plaza.

[Doctor Fate]

320 if MoO builds on it?

Yeah, if Mutual builds a second tower on the block to the east of their new tower it could be up to 320.

Mutual of Omaha envisions a potential second office tower on city block east of the library

The block east of 14th Street would continue to be used as a construction staging area for up to four years while the main headquarters structure rises. The space is currently being used for the same purpose as the overhaul winds down on the Gene Leahy Mall.
The proposed agreement says that the maximum height of any structure built upon the block east of the library shall not surpass 320 feet. That’s about the height of the 19-story Union Pacific Railroad corporate office tower.

Also, the document says, if the site were to be repurchased at some point later by the city, the maximum height of any future structure would be lowered to 140 feet high and be topped with a “green roof” approved by Mutual.

[jjjjhskr]

Cities would be in trouble if every time a taller building was constructed in their downtown that blocked views that the buildings being blocked then became obsolete. I think the twins will be fine - updates would be good - they will also be able to provide space for tenants who support MofO.

[ita]

From what I have hear, and I posted this in a different thread, but City+Ventures has all but dropped the third tower idea, but is working on something else, possibly on the Parkfair Mall side of the lot. I would agree with others that the twins are fairly new and likely have many decades ahead of them before demolition is a question. If anything, it's position with the streetcar and MoO and GLM are going to elevate the value of the property and encourage further development/renovation of the property.

[edsas2]

Cities would be in trouble if every time a taller building was constructed in their downtown that blocked views that the buildings being blocked then became obsolete. I think the twins will be fine - updates would be good - they will also be able to provide space for tenants who support MofO.

It sounds extreme, but it has happened before. The most famous case would be The Singer Building in New York. At over 600 feet, it was one New York's iconic skyscrapers in the first half of the 20th Century. But after multiple taller buildings sprung up around it, the building went through multiple changes in ownership. It became neglected and began to deteriorate. Ultimately US Steel bought the building and tore it down to make way for their HQ. Because of the condition of the building and the booming real estate market in Manhattan, the ground it was built on became more valuable than the Singer Building itself.

Central Park Plaza is in great shape as an office structure now, so it would be ludicrous to tear it down anytime in the foreseeable future for something else. But what if we flash forward 30 to 40 years. Let's say by then additional tall structures have gone up at 1416 Dodge and the site of the Nebraska Office Building. Central Park Plaza being relatively short and (by then) 70 to 80 years old, that spot could become a prime location for building the city's new tallest. Dead center in the CBD cluster. The ironic thing is, the loss of its front row seat in the "post card" shot, could become a factor in an eventual lack of interest in preservation. Just some thoughts...

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Yeah I doubt they’re going to tear down 2 towers because a view of a park was blocked. We still have lots of empty lots downtown the only way these would be torn down is if Omaha gets some massive boom in population or downtown revival. I think these will last a long time, the DoubleTree would be torn down before these are.