Mutual of Omaha Tower (14th & Farnam)

[Brad]

That’s amazing, Brad!

Thanks!

Saturday Morning the Crane Operator was working in the fog!

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20250920881A4446.jpg

[HighWinds]

That’s amazing, Brad!

Thanks!

Saturday Morning the Crane Operator was working in the fog!

1.
20250920881A4446.jpg

Wow! MoO looks absoulutely massive compared to FNBT these days.

[BRoss]

Love the pics as always!

It's amazing to see how far this has come this year. It's really taking shape now.

[arch_RP_planner]

Just for speculative purposes, does anyone want to throw out some ideas as to what may be developed and when Mutual will expand to the block east? The covenant on the site states that any Mutual-owned development will have a height cap of 320' to maintain prominence through the park (roughly UPC in height), but if the land is sold, it drops to a cap of 140', which is roughly the height of the Brandeis Building to the SW.

I would love to see something that maybe resembles the Medical Solutions concept that was floating around a while back (there was a recent thread in the "Projects Never Built" section that had renders, other found on B2Labs website). Given, the lot has a height cap of 320', the tower portion would be cut back, but maybe Mutual actually puts forth effort to activate the ground level/main few levels to street use, with tenant spaces designated for retail and culinary establishments, or maybe if downtown/the CBD specifically sees a residential boom, this could be the site of a grocery store.

With all of the new talk about the Creighton/Builder's District infill development, I could totally see the rumors of a grocery store in North Downtown somewhere, maybe within this Builder's district build out, but still in general, downtown within the next 10 years could truly be a massive unified construction site.

All in all, is the general consensus pointing toward another generic office building taking up the whole block? Do we see something more along the lines of an architectural icon for the city (like a Seattle public library, something unique of the sort), or do we think it would be best as a mixed-use development catering toward all-hour activation on the main ground level and the podium with an office tower above?

That medical solutions development actually seems to understand how important it is that new massive scale projects need to activate the ground level with non-office presence to maintain a successful addition to a growing downtown. Lets hear some thoughts.

PS: Sorry for the novel here, just curious to see what all my fellow development geeks think will happen.

[ItsAllAboutMe]

In the past I've mentioned that I'd like to see an iconic structure containing a winter garden. I know we already have a conservatory at Lauritzen gardens. Downtown employees would sure enjoy this kind of an escape during the winter and it would still be great to visit in the summer. I would suggest googling winter gardens and see what you think.

[stadsborgare]

I would think an "architectural icon" is what should go in that spot, given its location. Anything that is going to be in a lot of camera shots - promotional material for the city, should be a beautiful edifice, whatever the use of it is going to be.

Maybe some kind of museum would be perfect for the location, though I have no idea what kind of museum. It's in a spot where there are lots of pedestrians and a streetcar stop, so that should be taken into account.

It has to be something special, whatever goes there. Not something ordinary.

[Doctor Fate]

I would think an "architectural icon" is what should go in that spot, given its location. Anything that is going to be in a lot of camera shots - promotional material for the city, should be a beautiful edifice, whatever the use of it is going to be.

Maybe some kind of museum would be perfect for the location, though I have no idea what kind of museum. It's in a spot where there are lots of pedestrians and a streetcar stop, so that should be taken into account.

It has to be something special, whatever goes there. Not something ordinary.

The Russell Investments Center in Seattle is a building that has the Seattle Art Museum in the podium and then multiple office tenants. It also has a 17th floor terrace with great views and a similar building in Omaha would need to have that overlooking the parks and river.

Whatever goes here could have a contemporary and modern art museum at the base, maybe some decorative arts and a history of photography exhibit. Things that wouldn’t be parallel to what Joslyn has. Mutual offices, some residential, and a rooftop restaurant and bar could make up the rest.

[HighWinds]

I'd really like to see Mutual develop a cool looking mixed use building on the east lot that would be similar in shape, and have the same glass facade, just at 320', about half the height of the tower.

Maybe not realistic, but I think in a perfect world, it'd be a nice addition architecturally to the skyline, and view from the park.

[Brad]

One from Saturday Morning:

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20250920881A4478.jpg

[nebugeater]

One from Saturday Morning:

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NICE

[HighWinds]

One from Saturday Morning:

1.
20250920881A4478.jpg

I little over a year ago, I made a post comparing the renderings of MoOT's facade to one of my favorite modern skyscrapers, 1144 Fifteenth in Denver.

I'm proud to say now that this tower lives up to all my expectations and looks great. Really helps bring Omaha into the 21st century with that glass.

Always thought FNBT looked more late 80s/90s when compared to other regional buildings of the era.

[Stargazer]

One from Saturday Morning:

Wow, clouds are going to be insane when fully clad.

[skinzfan23]

[Brad]

You see this worker hanging off the tower about 20 second in?

Screenshot 2025-09-25 095130.jpg

[skinzfan23]

Oh wow, didn't even notice him. Don't think he is a window washer, but that is a job I wouldn't want to do.

[iamjacobm]

One from Saturday Morning:

1.
20250920881A4478.jpg

I little over a year ago, I made a post comparing the renderings of MoOT's facade to one of my favorite modern skyscrapers, 1144 Fifteenth in Denver.

I'm proud to say now that this tower lives up to all my expectations and looks great. Really helps bring Omaha into the 21st century with that glass.

Always thought FNBT looked more late 80s/90s when compared to other regional buildings of the era.

To each their own and I by no means hate MoO's architecture, but I actually think MoO's design will look more dated in 30 years than FNBO. I think there is going to be an eventual boredom to the blue glass towers we have seen the past decade. People will think it looks very 2010s kind of like people think Woodmen looks very 60s. FNBO with the very attractive and well proportined massing, difference in materials, and thoughtful lines I think will age really well.

[Louie]

One from Saturday Morning:

1.
20250920881A4478.jpg

I little over a year ago, I made a post comparing the renderings of MoOT's facade to one of my favorite modern skyscrapers, 1144 Fifteenth in Denver.

I'm proud to say now that this tower lives up to all my expectations and looks great. Really helps bring Omaha into the 21st century with that glass.

Always thought FNBT looked more late 80s/90s when compared to other regional buildings of the era.

To each their own and I by no means hate MoO's architecture, but I actually think MoO's design will look more dated in 30 years than FNBO. I think there is going to be an eventual boredom to the blue glass towers we have seen the past decade. People will think it looks very 2010s kind of like people think Woodmen looks very 60s. FNBO with the very attractive and well proportined massing, difference in materials, and thoughtful lines I think will age really well.

I kind of agree on this. Don’t get me wrong, MoO is gonna be a great addition to the skyline and we’re lucky to get it. But FNBO has more classic architecture tones to it. One of my favorite skyscrapers is the Wells Fargo Center in Minneapolis and FNBO has aspects of that in it.

[HighWinds]

One from Saturday Morning:

1.
20250920881A4478.jpg

I little over a year ago, I made a post comparing the renderings of MoOT's facade to one of my favorite modern skyscrapers, 1144 Fifteenth in Denver.

I'm proud to say now that this tower lives up to all my expectations and looks great. Really helps bring Omaha into the 21st century with that glass.

Always thought FNBT looked more late 80s/90s when compared to other regional buildings of the era.

To each their own and I by no means hate MoO's architecture, but I actually think MoO's design will look more dated in 30 years than FNBO. I think there is going to be an eventual boredom to the blue glass towers we have seen the past decade. People will think it looks very 2010s kind of like people think Woodmen looks very 60s. FNBO with the very attractive and well proportined massing, difference in materials, and thoughtful lines I think will age really well.

I kind of agree on this. Don’t get me wrong, MoO is gonna be a great addition to the skyline and we’re lucky to get it. But FNBO has more classic architecture tones to it. One of my favorite skyscrapers is the Wells Fargo Center in Minneapolis and FNBO has aspects of that in it.

Fair point, these glass towers may age badly. Today their the new, hip thing that every "modern" city has just got to get their hands on, and tomorrow, like brutalist towers from the sixties, they are simply dated remnants of a distant time.

Also 100% agree with the comments on the FNBT. It's still my favorite tower in Omaha, and probably the local region too! I love that Wells Fargo-style design, and the facade looks great! Just think it looks more like 90s tower than a 2000s one. Mutual is definitely a 20s skyscraper, even if does end up aging poorly, like iamjacobm mentioned.

[Garrett]

Agreed that the FNBT will probably age better. As exciting as the new Mutual tower is, and as nice as it looks, it has way more other skyscrapers that look exactly like it than the FNBT.

Neo-Art Deco has been having a moment in NYC architecture. I’d love to see Omaha get something like that.

[GenX]

Just think it looks more like 90s tower than a 2000s one.

FNBO Tower was designed in the 90s and construction began in 1999, so yeah, that tracks.

[Cermak]

I think the thing that makes the Mutual tower so exciting to me besides its height is that it’s all glass. Omaha doesn’t really have an all glass tower. It just seems so different than all the other buildings downtown. I Agree FNBO could end up aging better in the long run.

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Hmm.. another concrete core pour this morning.

[Brad]

Hmm.. another concrete core pour this morning.

I don’t believe the raised the forms after the last pour. I wonder if they are pouring a roof and equipment pads on top of the core?

[HighWinds]

Agreed that the FNBT will probably age better. As exciting as the new Mutual tower is, and as nice as it looks, it has way more other skyscrapers that look exactly like it than the FNBT.

Neo-Art Deco has been having a moment in NYC architecture. I’d love to see Omaha get something like that.

Yeah, a modern Art Deco tower would be awesome in Omaha. Maybe something like Eleven on the River in Minneapolis, just at a smaller scale.

[Brad]

I put this channel 3 city cam screen grab in to Photoshop and straightened it out. Then I drew a line at 90.0 Degrees and you can really start to see the building starting to taper back in towards the top.

Screenshot 2025-09-26 093940.jpg

[HighWinds]

Wow, my favorite part of this towers design is starting to take shape!

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Hmm.. another concrete core pour this morning.

I don’t believe the raised the forms after the last pour. I wonder if they are pouring a roof and equipment pads on top of the core?

Right, I do believe they are working on closing it up. I thought thats what they had done with the last pour

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Wow, my favorite part of this towers design is starting to take shape!

I looked at the tower from the mall yesterday and you can see the curve starting to be more obvious.

[Busguy2010]

Wow, my favorite part of this towers design is starting to take shape!

I looked the tower from the mall yesterday and you can see the curve starting to be more obvious.

What, does the dam thing have PD?

[skinzfan23]

Not really Mutual related but pulled up the city cam to look at the tower and noticed a barge on the river….don’t really see too many of them on the Missouri:

[GenX]

Might have just been the angle I was viewing the tower from, but it appears the concrete pumping arm is gone.

[Brad]

Might have just been the angle I was viewing the tower from, but it appears the concrete pumping arm is gone.

I was driving east towards downtown this afternoon and I didn’t see it either, that said, there have been times in the past when I didn’t see it between pours.

[thenewguy]

Not really Mutual related but pulled up the city cam to look at the tower and noticed a barge on the river….don’t really see too many of them on the Missouri:

Ironically enough, I saw one Friday as I went over the bridge around noon and thought the same thing

[skinzfan23]

Doesn’t look like it’s up there from the city cam:

[GenX]

Doesn’t look like it’s up there from the city cam:

I imagine the yellow crane arm is next before the rest of the form works are removed.

[windsor]

The Channel 3 city camera is more zoomed in than normal today. Makes it easier to zoom in and look at details on the tower.

[mikey cee]

Well where the heck is it?

[Brad]

Well where the heck is it?

You talking about the web cam they were talking about?

If so: https://www.3newsnow.com/weather/weather-cams

[jorbie]

One from Saturday Morning:

1.
20250920881A4478.jpg

I little over a year ago, I made a post comparing the renderings of MoOT's facade to one of my favorite modern skyscrapers, 1144 Fifteenth in Denver.

I'm proud to say now that this tower lives up to all my expectations and looks great. Really helps bring Omaha into the 21st century with that glass.

Always thought FNBT looked more late 80s/90s when compared to other regional buildings of the era.

the Pickard Chilton company was an architect for both I believe

[HighWinds]

One from Saturday Morning:

1.
20250920881A4478.jpg

I little over a year ago, I made a post comparing the renderings of MoOT's facade to one of my favorite modern skyscrapers, 1144 Fifteenth in Denver.

I'm proud to say now that this tower lives up to all my expectations and looks great. Really helps bring Omaha into the 21st century with that glass.

Always thought FNBT looked more late 80s/90s when compared to other regional buildings of the era.

the Pickard Chilton company was an architect for both I believe

Yeah, Pickard also did things like Devon in OKC, and 1180 Peachtree in Atlanta.

Really glad to have something of theirs in Omaha now, as I think they do a good job of making modern skyscrapers (which are notorious for being bland and generic) real works of art.