The Giovanna (6th & Pierce Streets)

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:17 pm

Omaha's Giovanna Rows model ready for grand opening

Giovanna Rows, a row house project in Omaha's Little Italy, celebrates its grand opening today and Sunday.

The model at 1204 S. Sixth St. will be open from noon to 5 p.m. today and Sunday for the grand opening. Regular hours will be noon to 5 p.m. on weekends or by appointment.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1 ... d=10241915

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:22 am

it would be cool if they did some sort of cultural marker or center to commemorate little Italy. Something like the gardens you see at various China towns in other cities, with pagodas, etc. I'm not entirely sure what they could do, but it'd be nice to have a tourist/historical draw there with all the work they're doing. Not to veer off topic, but do you guys think there will ever be a "china town" in Omaha?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:25 am

According to wikipedia there is one Downtown somewhere but I don't think it's credible.

Omababe · Post by **Omababe** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:06 pm

thenewguy wrote:Not to veer off topic, but do you guys think there will ever be a "china town" in Omaha?

Has there ever been any concentration of Asians in any area of Omaha? (I don't know, I'm asking.)

I sure can't think of any. I can think of all kinds of various ethnic and formerly-ethnic neighborhoods, but no real Chinese or Korean or other Asian ethnic neighborhoods like you do see in other cities.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:42 pm

I had heard of "Little Vietnam" on North 24th St. around where alot of the buildings were burned down in the riots.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:50 pm

DTO, The1wags and myself checked out Giovana Rows this weekent, they were really cool. Similar layout to Soma.

From KETV:
[wmp]http://mfile.akamai.com/12910/wmv/vod.i ... 9.200k.asx[/wmp]

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:03 am

Photos from the open house:

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:08 am

I love the tiled roofs!!

pseudoprometheus · Post by **pseudoprometheus** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:45 pm

Now this is sweet. Much better than the Dundee Ridge development! The roof tiles and the cornices are a really nice touch ... I'd like to see more development with elaborate cornices, although I don't think they'd fit in with modern architecture?

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:14 am

Modern as in the style? No. Modern as in the time frame for which we are living? Sure. There's all kinds of new buildings or renovated buildings that utilize a more classic style of architecture because it's got a certain amount of timelessness that many people enjoy. It's poetic, even

After my trip to Chicago last summer, seeing buildings that are older in age, or appear to be, caught my eyes so much more than the ones that are ultra modern and somewhat run-of-the-mill. Ah...Chicago

But anyway, yeah, i'm really diggin the Giovanna; i can't wait to see the other one go up, too.

DonutStopLover · Post by **DonutStopLover** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:56 am

just drove by this today when i went to orsi's. These are awesome and being so close to orsi makes me want to move there.

:D Pretty close to the Donut Stop as well.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:44 pm

Still looks like all units except for one are for sale.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:14 pm

A second unit finally sold. Hopefully this will pick up momentum soon and they can build the second building.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:27 pm

I'm usually not critical of other sales centers, but these need some work in my personal opinion. I think the decor is too old fashioned and needs to be more contemporary and urban. That radio guys unit should be the model, that one is freaking sweet. The look they went for instead looks too grandmaish and traditional for me. This could be either turning some buyers on, or turning them off and I'm going to guess the later.

With that said, I think it's a great project with a lot of great potential in the area. This is a very nice project in a nice area.

Bobcat · Post by **Bobcat** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:37 pm

Brad wrote:A second unit finally sold. Hopefully this will pick up momentum soon and they can build the second building.

Nice to hear of some sales activity over there ... let's hope to see some activity on the vacant lot across the street soon. Some of the developers have to be thinking apartments, right?

Post by **Brad** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:42 pm

Bobcat wrote:
Brad wrote:A second unit finally sold. Hopefully this will pick up momentum soon and they can build the second building.
Nice to hear of some sales activity over there ... let's hope to see some activity on the vacant lot across the street soon. Some of the developers have to be thinking apartments, right?

No across the street is a mirror image of the first giovanna building. The plans are already done and ready to go.

Bobcat · Post by **Bobcat** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:57 pm

I know that a duplicate building is planned, but would the plans be significantly different if a developer wanted to rent them instead of sell them?

Post by **Brad** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:01 pm

I don't know why they would want to rent. I think they would like to sell them and get their investment back sooner. I think there is already enough rental property down there.

Bobcat · Post by **Bobcat** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:17 pm

They may want to rent to generate cash flow. Right now the project is selling one unit per year and the developer is responsible for the taxes, hoa dues (if there are any), insurance and any other holding costs (loan interest) associated with built but unsold condos. I'm not sure how soon the developer will "get there investment back" with such a dismal sales cycle for the project. If a project like that were to offer rental they would be the only one (beside SOMA owners) south of the Old Market offering brand new condo / townhomes for rent. Some rental income would help offset the holding costs and generate occupancy and activity in a mostly unoccupied property.

windsor · Post by **windsor** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:15 pm

Has anyone heard anything new with the Giovana? Have they sold any new units or have any time line on phase 2?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:14 am

Or, does anyone LIVE there yet? The retail space isn't filled yet either, is it?

Post by **Brad** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:03 pm

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Or, does anyone LIVE there yet? The retail space isn't filled yet either, is it?

That Dave guy from KGOR lives on the end unit on the west end, and I think one other sold, but that's the last I saw.

windsor · Post by **windsor** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:45 pm

Thanks for the update. This is a great project, just another case of finishing construction right as the economy went south. Hopefully the sell a few more units soon.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:55 am

These are gorgeous! (pics here don't do justice) Kudos to the developer. I wish there were more projects like this with the detail and devotion to the architecture.

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:48 am

I really have to give them credit for thinking outside of the 'architectural' box. They look great.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 3:50 pm

I agree, they look great, and I love that they feature commercial space at the corner.

It doesn't seem like they've sold too well, though. Hopefully that will pick up for them, and they can get a nice tenant in the commercial space.

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:50 pm

I didn't realize that the commercial space was empty. Tiny corner stores like this exist all over Rome on almost every block, where it is a tradition to stop by for your espresso shot and a pastry before work. They also sell newspapers, magazines, tobacco, candy, over the counter drugs, subway and commuter train tickets. It would be cool if something like that could survive there.

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:07 pm

ricko wrote:I didn't realize that the commercial space was empty. Tiny corner stores like this exist all over Rome on almost every block, where it is a tradition to stop by for your espresso shot and a pastry before work. They also sell newspapers, magazines, tobacco, candy, over the counter drugs, subway and commuter train tickets. It would be cool if something like that could survive there.

It is kind of strange that Americans generally limit themselves to "destination shopping" where retail is clumped into massive developments (once indoor malls, now big box stores with smaller outlots and the disgusting strip malls).

Post by **Brad** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:59 pm

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:It doesn't seem like they've sold too well, though.

I think they are up to 3 sold now.

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:04 pm

Do they have maintenance provided? I couldn't find the assessment fee on the real estate website.

Honestly, my biggest reservation about a place like that is having to pay for maintenance and groundskeeping I'd rather do myself. I'm not the kind of guy who wants a ridiculous 2-acre estate with a castle-sized lawn to mow, but I enjoy doing all of the general home upkeep myself (and saving some money too).

If we ever move into a condo-type residence, I suppose I could just get a job as the maintenance guy!

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:23 am

Well as far as the commercial space goes its not like there's a great deal of foot traffic through there (yet). I could see an European coffee house in that space with a little patio. Perhaps with a few more residents in the neighborhood. Overall, Little Italy is really starting to look very nice.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:12 am

ricko wrote:I didn't realize that the commercial space was empty. Tiny corner stores like this exist all over Rome on almost every block, where it is a tradition to stop by for your espresso shot and a pastry before work. They also sell newspapers, magazines, tobacco, candy, over the counter drugs, subway and commuter train tickets. It would be cool if something like that could survive there.

Ahhh...nothing beats your neighborhood Tabacchi

Post by **Brad** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:30 am

It looks like the last of the Giovanna Row condos has sold. It also looks like the retail bay has been leased. Hopefully we will see them start on builing two soon.

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 12:24 pm

I'm actually surprised they're all sold by now (assuming the buyers intend on being residents, not just speculative investors). Considering the housing market, especially for condos, that's pretty good. I wonder how Soma is doing?

cdub · Post by **cdub** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 12:33 pm

The builder took a nasty hit to get these sold. There is an effort underway to do tha other corner but it will likely be a complementary apartment project as opposed to more townhomes.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:49 pm

Seth wrote:I'm actually surprised they're all sold by now (assuming the buyers intend on being residents, not just speculative investors). Considering the housing market, especially for condos, that's pretty good. I wonder how Soma is doing?

They are down to the last few (less than 5 maybe?) units of the ones that are built. There's another grouping on the west end that has the foundations in, but might be on hold for now.

There are a LOT of original owners renting those units out right now, too (myself included).

windsor · Post by **windsor** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 5:23 pm

I am very pleased to learn that they may finally start on the second phase of construction. I hope whatever they do, they keep it as unique as the first phase.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:12 pm

Where did ya hear that? From what I understand there have absolutely no plans of moving forward with that second phase???

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:19 pm

S33 wrote:Where did ya hear that? From what I understand there have absolutely no plans of moving forward with that second phase???

Just a guess?

cdub wrote:There is an effort underway to do tha other corner but it will likely be a complementary apartment project as opposed to more townhomes.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:54 pm

Ah, didn't see that comment. Regardless, I'm still curious what the actual plan is. Last I heard (this week) they had put the second phase on indefinite hold.