Mutual of Omaha Tower (14th & Farnam)

[Garrett]

KC also has a fair amount of older skyscrapers that Omaha lacks that add interest as well, notably Power and Light and 909 Walnut. If only the old Woodman of the World building and a few others were still around.

[ita]

Kansas City Skyline still looks good. Even with no major skyscrapers built in last 30 years. The views of KC from the northside are my favorite.

Indeed. Helps that they have about 10 buildings in size between the Woodmen and the UP building in height.

Agreed. Density>height.

Hopefully we have a lot of bit of both in our future with MoO and the streetcar spurring development downtown.

[Omaha Cowboy]

If only the old Woodman of the World building and a few others were still around.

Agreed. The old Fontenelle Hotel also among the several grand old buildings which hit the wrecking ball in the early 1980’s..

As Ita intimated, moving forward, (hopefully) the new Mutual Skyscraper and especially the streetcar can spur more built up density…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Cermak]

If only the old Woodman of the World building and a few others were still around.

Agreed. The old Fontenelle Hotel also among the several grand old buildings which hit the wrecking ball in the early 1980’s..

As Ita intimated, moving forward, (hopefully) the new Mutual Skyscraper and especially the streetcar can spur more built up density…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

When I moved to Omaha in 1985 Hotel Fontenelle was already gone. When I saw pictures of it I was surprised such a fantastic looking building had been torn down, and worse it was replaced with pretty much nothing. The old Woodmen and Fontenelle would enhance the skyline today , back then they were seen as old and ugly. But Omaha does have some great old buildings that we saved, I guess we can't save them all, and attitudes have changed towards older buildings. Many of the best cities have a good mix of old and new.

[Athomsfere]

I moved here in 2015, but everytime I see that Hotel Fontenelle in an old shot of Omaha, or the models around town... I love that building.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I moved here in 2015, but everytime I see that Hotel Fontenelle in an old shot of Omaha, or the models around town... I love that building.

It really was a beautiful piece of architecture that in hindsight, should have never met the wrecking ball..

If it was still around today, I imagine it being renovated into what could have housed another 4 star hotel in our downtown core..

But in any case, we have (hopefully) learned our lesson in that regard..

Back to the fun stuff- like our new 677 foot skyscraper which will break ground in 3 short months (possibly sooner) …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[WouldaCouldaShoulda]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

[Louie]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

Damn

[ita]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

Damn

Ouch. WoW adds a lot from that angle. Sad HDR didn't stay downtown. Would have been a nice add to the skyline.

[NEDodger]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

You are a master.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

Definitely WouldaCouldaShoulda…

Nice job …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

Damn

Ouch. WoW adds a lot from that angle. Sad HDR didn't stay downtown. Would have been a nice add to the skyline.

A little sad, but they have knocked it out of the park in Aksarben too. The inner rail is great. They've really helped bring vibrancy to the area where we are a rare metro with a vibrant metro of 1 million people over spread over 6 miles!

[SunMan]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

Damn

Ouch. WoW adds a lot from that angle. Sad HDR didn't stay downtown. Would have been a nice add to the skyline.

I don't think an 11-story building would have added much to the skyline.

[ita]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

Damn

Ouch. WoW adds a lot from that angle. Sad HDR didn't stay downtown. Would have been a nice add to the skyline.

I don't think an 11-story building would have added much to the skyline.

The rendering I am seeing is more like 14 stories. Maybe close to the Landmark building. Not a lot more, but it would have been impactful, especially from the southeast across the river or from Heartland of America Park. I think from the north, it fill in between the Marriott and apartment building at the Capitol District. Maybe not totally, skyline altering, but would have add some nice density/fill to the eastern end of the skyline. Anyway, I need to stop dreaming of what may have been; I look forward to getting MoO in our skyline asap.

[Athomsfere]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

Damn

Ouch. WoW adds a lot from that angle. Sad HDR didn't stay downtown. Would have been a nice add to the skyline.

I don't think an 11-story building would have added much to the skyline.

The rendering I am seeing is more like 14 stories. Maybe close to the Landmark building. Not a lot more, but it would have been impactful, especially from the southeast across the river or from Heartland of America Park. I think from the north, it fill in between the Marriott and apartment building at the Capitol District. Maybe not totally, skyline altering, but would have add some nice density/fill to the eastern end of the skyline. Anyway, I need to stop dreaming of what may have been; I look forward to getting MoO in our skyline asap.

Yes, their original proposal was 14 slightly skinnier floors.

And just looking back, Omaha has really been changing downtown:

In another 5 years, when this is done... It's really going to be awesome.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Skyline had WallStreet Tower and HDR been built, and old W.O.W. Building and Hotel Fontenelle not been razed…

Damn

Ouch. WoW adds a lot from that angle. Sad HDR didn't stay downtown. Would have been a nice add to the skyline.

I don't think an 11-story building would have added much to the skyline.

The rendering I am seeing is more like 14 stories. Maybe close to the Landmark building. Not a lot more, but it would have been impactful, especially from the southeast across the river or from Heartland of America Park. I think from the north, it fill in between the Marriott and apartment building at the Capitol District. Maybe not totally, skyline altering, but would have add some nice density/fill to the eastern end of the skyline. Anyway, I need to stop dreaming of what may have been; I look forward to getting MoO in our skyline asap.

If memory serves, when HDR announced plans for their downtown HQ’s building in June of 2015, it was originally proposed at 25 stories. One year later, the plan was scaled back to 16 stories (in 2016) then about 90 days after that, their CEO stated they had scrapped the downtown HQ location entirely. After about 6 months and one gazillion guesses where they’d end up, HDR decided on AKSARBEN Village and the 11 story HQ’s structure we see today..

There was much more to this story, but long story short, it was a convoluted mess and an opportunity lost for the downtown core..

Fast forward to 2022.. Thank goodness for the commitment of Mutual to our central business district. Downtown Omaha and it’s core are in a much better place and position today..as it’s on the launching pad to take off …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Mapguy]

I think the skyline will be better---im not sure how transformative this change will be. Its not like these are new job or an expansion---a company is moving 20 blocks east and downsizing its office footprint.

I think Midtown will take a big hit in the short run with the loss of employees spending money there and construction ripping up Farnam. In the long run midtown might be better off with the right developer.

[Doctor Fate]

I think the skyline will be better---im not sure how transformative this change will be. Its not like these are new job or an expansion---a company is moving 20 blocks east and downsizing its office footprint.

I think Midtown will take a big hit in the short run with the loss of employees spending money there and construction ripping up Farnam. In the long run midtown might be better off with the right developer.

In my mind, this tower and the streetcar are linked. Together, I think we will see them spark at least one residential high rise (most likely multiple), a grocery store, and draw more companies downtown...at a minimum.

[Athomsfere]

I think the skyline will be better---im not sure how transformative this change will be. Its not like these are new job or an expansion---a company is moving 20 blocks east and downsizing its office footprint.

I think Midtown will take a big hit in the short run with the loss of employees spending money there and construction ripping up Farnam. In the long run midtown might be better off with the right developer.

In my mind, this tower and the streetcar are linked. Together, I think we will see them spark at least one residential high rise (most likely multiple), a grocery store, and draw more companies downtown...at a minimum.

While that would be amazing... I somehow don't think this is it.
I do think as soon as we see one though, we'll see the dominos fall. As it is IMO long overdue.

[skinzfan23]

Yes, their original proposal was 14 slightly skinnier floors.

And just looking back, Omaha has really been changing downtown:

In another 5 years, when this is done... It's really going to be awesome.

Just in this picture alone, Capitol District was completed, the 6 story apt building south of CHI, Steelhouse, and also the Gene Leahy Mall.

[Doctor Fate]

I think the skyline will be better---im not sure how transformative this change will be. Its not like these are new job or an expansion---a company is moving 20 blocks east and downsizing its office footprint.

I think Midtown will take a big hit in the short run with the loss of employees spending money there and construction ripping up Farnam. In the long run midtown might be better off with the right developer.

In my mind, this tower and the streetcar are linked. Together, I think we will see them spark at least one residential high rise (most likely multiple), a grocery store, and draw more companies downtown...at a minimum.

While that would be amazing... I somehow don't think this is it.
I do think as soon as we see one though, we'll see the dominos fall. As it is IMO long overdue.

Yeah I agree about it being a process. I don't think the things I mentioned (and more) will happen all at once, but over the next decade.

[WouldaCouldaShoulda]

Future skyline potential post-Mutual of Omaha Tower with additional office, residential, and civic infill on vacant/underutilized blocks…

[Omaha Cowboy]

Future skyline potential post-Mutual of Omaha Tower with additional office, residential, and civic infill on vacant/underutilized blocks…

Beginning to look like Austin TX if all this had come to fruition…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ita]

The guys on Grow Omaha, must have seen our lamenting about demolished historical towers. They briefly talked about the WoW building and Hotel Fontenelle for a hot second and similarly lamenting the loss.

[Omaha Cowboy]

The guys on Grow Omaha, must have seen our lamenting about demolished historical towers. They briefly talked about the WoW building and Hotel Fontenelle for a hot second and similarly lamenting the loss.

I heard the same.. It really is too bad those 2 grand buildings are no longer standing..they would have both added impressive density to our downtown which has been built up significantly since the early 1980’s..

They’ve both been long gone for a long while. But like we lamented in our last posts, hopefully it was lesson learned moving forward…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

The guys on Grow Omaha, must have seen our lamenting about demolished historical towers. They briefly talked about the WoW building and Hotel Fontenelle for a hot second and similarly lamenting the loss.

I heard the same.. It really is too bad those 2 grand buildings are no longer standing..they would have both added impressive density to our downtown which has been built up significantly since the early 1980’s..

They’ve both been long gone for a long while. But like we lamented in our last posts, hopefully it was lesson learned moving forward…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Somewhat on that topic, and also on the overall topic of the thread.

We might see if we learned any lessons with the MoO tower that currently exists. If that tower gets repurposed we get to keep at least one cool, older building.

[SunMan]

The guys on Grow Omaha, must have seen our lamenting about demolished historical towers. They briefly talked about the WoW building and Hotel Fontenelle for a hot second and similarly lamenting the loss.

I heard the same.. It really is too bad those 2 grand buildings are no longer standing..they would have both added impressive density to our downtown which has been built up significantly since the early 1980’s..

They’ve both been long gone for a long while. But like we lamented in our last posts, hopefully it was lesson learned moving forward…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I wish both of those buildings were still around but the Fontenelle had issues with the ornate top crumbling to the ground. What pains me is the WoW building was imploded and the ugly, boring State Office building replaced it. What a waste.

[Linkin5]

Surprised nobody mentioned the 17 story Medical Arts Building that was demo’d as well. Would have been nice to keep that and FNBO build on another lot downtown.

It’s also a shame that the original part of the UP building wasn’t saved. I know I was for tearing it down when it happened but in hindsight it seems like a major misstep.

[Cermak]

The medical Arts building was a nice building, I believe it was Omaha's second tallest building to be demolished as it rose over 200 ft. Would probably be Condo's or apartments now. Downtown has lost a lot of significant buildings. But on a positive note very few have been lost in the last 20 years or so. Most were demolished in the 70's & 80's.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Surprised nobody mentioned the 17 story Medical Arts Building that was demo’d as well. Would have been nice to keep that and FNBO build on another lot downtown.

It’s also a shame that the original part of the UP building wasn’t saved. I know I was for tearing it down when it happened but in hindsight it seems like a major misstep.

Good call on the Medical Arts building. Imagine the added density if that, plus the Fontenelle and Woodmen of the World were standing today..

Regarding the old UP building, the reason that was demolished can be traced back to the Townsend Wallstreet Tower debacle. Remember the city had 2 major RFP’s for the 1416 Dodge parcel after the old UP was removed- America’s First (their 14 story building proposal) and Townsend with its 28 story WallStreet Tower. The city went with Townsend and the rest is, unfortunate, history. Painful trip down memory lane..

Misstep indeed..60-90 days…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

The guys on Grow Omaha, must have seen our lamenting about demolished historical towers. They briefly talked about the WoW building and Hotel Fontenelle for a hot second and similarly lamenting the loss.

I heard the same.. It really is too bad those 2 grand buildings are no longer standing..they would have both added impressive density to our downtown which has been built up significantly since the early 1980’s..

They’ve both been long gone for a long while. But like we lamented in our last posts, hopefully it was lesson learned moving forward…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I wish both of those buildings were still around but the Fontenelle had issues with the ornate top crumbling to the ground.

I recall, before the old UP building was demolished, hearing the same thing from employees- pieces of that old structure were falling off the top floors and on to the sidewalk..and the building was riddled with asbestos…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ihartfield]

Also remember that Mayor Hal Daub had selected a tall Marriott hotel to accompany the convention center originally, but Mayor Mike Fahey changed it to the current Hilton. Can’t remember how tall the proposed hotel was, but I believe it was over 20 stories. Another what could have been.

[NEDodger]

Also remember that Mayor Hal Daub had selected a tall Marriott hotel to accompany the convention center originally, but Mayor Mike Fahey changed it to the current Hilton. Can’t remember how tall the proposed hotel was, but I believe it was over 20 stories. Another what could have been.

It was going to be 30

[Omaha Cowboy]

From the Sunday W-H-

“It took less than two months for a demolition crew to remove the city’s main library from the spot it held in downtown Omaha for 45 years.

The quick demolition was required under the city’s redevelopment agreement with Mutual of Omaha, which outlined a closing date of Dec. 31 for the city to transfer ownership of the property to the Fortune 500 insurance company.

A new $600 million Mutual of Omaha headquarters is set to rise on the site that sits just to the west of the Gene Leahy Mall.”..

The complete W-H story link:

https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... 6b6d8.html

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[NEDodger]

The quick demolition was required under the city’s redevelopment agreement with Mutual of Omaha, which outlined a closing date of Dec. 31 for the city to transfer ownership of the property to the Fortune 500 insurance company.

So technically, we're not going to see any more movement on the site until the new year?

[Omaha Cowboy]

The quick demolition was required under the city’s redevelopment agreement with Mutual of Omaha, which outlined a closing date of Dec. 31 for the city to transfer ownership of the property to the Fortune 500 insurance company.

So technically, we're not going to see any more movement on the site until the new year?

From what I understand, the “official” groundbreaking for the tower is slated for the last week in January (the 23rd or 24th)..but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if prep work starts well before that. Plus, I think there are something like 86 spires which need to be removed from the ground before Tower construction can take place, so there will continue to be work done on the site..

Someone with more knowledge, come in and correct me if I’m inaccurate on any of this…

Ciao.LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

From what I understand, the “official” groundbreaking for the tower is slated for the last week in January (the 23rd or 24th)..but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if prep work starts well before that. Plus, I think there are something like 86 spires which need to be removed from the ground before Tower construction can take place, so there will continue to be work done on the site..

Someone with more knowledge, come in and correct me if I’m inaccurate on any of this…

Ciao.LiO…Peace

I recall earlier in the thread you said something akin to "the demolition is starting a month early" and you were hopeful the construction would start this year. Or something like that. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Those piles aren't gonna be cake to remove, and I wouldn't be surprised if this the more daunting process of the demolition.
But I maintain there is no good reason for them to start before the groundbreaking date. Especially if weather doesn't cooperate. So I still have my expectations set for the end of January, weather permitting. I'll keep on saying I think the extra month they gained was more contingency than trying to get the new building started early.

[Omaha Cowboy]

It’ll take the rest of this month and into December to get those spires cleared out..

Perhaps after January 1st, we could see some prep work before the actual groundbreaking.. We’ll see…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Brad]

It’ll take the rest of this month and into December to get those spires cleared out..

Piles not Spires. Piles are part of a building's foundation. Spires are a structure on top of a building.

If you want to know more about the piles, go to 9:20 of this video:

[GetUrban]

It’ll take the rest of this month and into December to get those spires cleared out..

Piles not Spires. Piles are part of a building's foundation. Spires are a structure on top of a building.

If you want to know more about the piles, go to 9:20 of this video:

Here’s a wiki link that includes info on the 45 story FNB tower. See the Construction paragraph. I remember going down there to watch part of the concrete pour for the pile cap. It was the largest single pour ever done in Nebraska.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Na ... nstruction