The Duo (222 S 15 ST) formerly Central Park Plaza

[Dundeemaha]

The key to whether this project is exciting or completely neutral to me as ita said is ground level retail on the parking garage. Such a huge section of real estate made useless in its current configuration.

[Busguy2010]

I like the new look. But I don't know how, why, or how it could possibly be worth it to reclad the whole building like that. I like the idea of building in the open space between the current buildings, and I like the thought of adding retail space along 16th. The block from Douglas to Farnam is a complete dead zone.

At this time, this doesn't really feel like a plan to me, just an idea. So I will sit back and wait for more concrete confirmation of a plan like this.

[ita]

I like the new look. But I don't know how, why, or how it could possibly be worth it to reclad the whole building like that. I like the idea of building in the open space between the current buildings, and I like the thought of adding retail space along 16th. The block from Douglas to Farnam is a complete dead zone.

At this time, this doesn't really feel like a plan to me, just an idea. So I will sit back and wait for more concrete confirmation of a plan like this.

That's a good point. While I like the design of the fill in, the Parkfair Mall demolition for another parking structure, doesn't sit right with me.

Maybe instead of taking down Parkfair Mall parking garage, only replacing it with another garage and filling in the two towers, they keep the current twin towers, do a slight face lift on them, and build a mid rise 10 story with a few levels of parking? I wonder if it would be similar investment compared to what we see now as their plans. Make it residential on the finished floors and ground floor retail to help 16th Street out, particularly on the corner of 16th and Farnam. That's my alternative plan.

[Busguy2010]

It seems like a relatively simple proposition to tear down the old garage and build a new garage with a full building on top that is approximately the same height as the others. It would be a pretty big building in itself. I like that idea even more than building in the space between them.

[ita]

It seems like a relatively simple proposition to tear down the old garage and build a new garage with a full building on top that is approximately the same height as the others. It would be a pretty big building in itself. I like that idea even more than building in the space between them.

I just sent a message to City Ventures about my proposition. It could be like the building just announced for the parking lot in Blackstone. The City should not be OK with more freestanding parking garages in downtown.

[LetsBeReal22]

Maybe instead of taking down Parkfair Mall parking garage, only replacing it with another garage and filling in the two towers, they keep the current twin towers, do a slight face lift on them, and build a mid rise 10 story with a few levels of parking? I wonder if it would be similar investment compared to what we see now as their plans. Make it residential on the finished floors and ground floor retail to help 16th Street out, particularly on the corner of 16th and Farnam. That's my alternative plan.

Seems like a no brainer. That space behind the towers is pretty large too.

[GLASSHOLE23]

Love me some glass. Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to build this.

[Vitruvius]

Looks like the building owners are floating around a face lift. Scope of work right is for a new skin, infilling and adding SF in between the two buildings and demo the existing parking garage and building one with 600 Stalls.

I don't care for this. Filling in the middle and adding that observation deck makes it very weighty and visually oppressive. It does look too similar to the UP building. Although the UP building has a lighter feel.
One interesting aspect of the original towers is the sliver of vertical space where they nearly touch. That sliver and space helps give some openness and verticality that is completely missing in the face-lift idea.
Is the face-lift idea intended to cover the existing face or replace it completely?
I think it would be helpful to add some type of extension to the tops of each tower to hide those caps and increase the sense of height, uninterrupted. Maybe vertical elements (in bronze or copper) added to the present facade between the slim windows the entire lengths and then follow thru straight up. Doing so would give some surface dimension/relief in addition to adding height, add maybe 30 feet to the tops. The tops of the towers at present look unfinished and ungraceful. Street level could be more inviting too. And.... maybe doing something interesting on the backside, the 16th Street side, to extend the towers or add some interesting residential with some street level for a grocery, deli, coffeeshop, barber, UPS store, etc.

[Cermak]

The Central Park plaza in its present form doesn’t bother me that much, I really don’t mind how it looks now, it’s a typical early-mid 80’s office building. So I’m hesitant if they start messing with it and somehow it doesn’t turn out good . This ones a tough call. The remodel does look somewhat similar to the U.P. Headquarters.

[nebport5]

Looks like the building owners are floating around a face lift. Scope of work right is for a new skin, infilling and adding SF in between the two buildings and demo the existing parking garage and building one with 600 Stalls.

I don't care for this. Filling in the middle and adding that observation deck makes it very weighty and visually oppressive.

If you're old enough, it makes me think of the overbearing mother from the Pink Floyd The Wall film.

It does look too similar to the UP building. Although the UP building has a lighter feel.
One interesting aspect of the original towers is the sliver of vertical space where they nearly touch. That sliver and space helps give some openness and verticality that is completely missing in the face-lift idea.

100%!!

Is the face-lift idea intended to cover the existing face or replace it completely?
I think it would be helpful to add some type of extension to the tops of each tower to hide those caps and increase the sense of height, uninterrupted. Maybe vertical elements (in bronze or copper) added to the present facade between the slim windows the entire lengths and then follow thru straight up. Doing so would give some surface dimension/relief in addition to adding height, add maybe 30 feet to the tops. The tops of the towers at present look unfinished and ungraceful. Street level could be more inviting too. And.... maybe doing something interesting on the backside, the 16th Street side, to extend the towers or add some interesting residential with some street level for a grocery, deli, coffeeshop, barber, UPS store, etc.

The "upgrade" does indeed looks like, Jan's insecurity to her big U.P. sister, Marsha.


I might feel differently about a better rendering but until, why destroy skyline density and texture/color unlike any that's likely to come in favor of more austere glass?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Yeah, I pretty much agree with the recent sentiment here..

There hasn’t been any talk since they announced the “freshening” of buildings 1 year ago. Perhaps we’ll get an update and a better looking rendering…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[TransitOriented]

Looks like the building owners are floating around a face lift. Scope of work right is for a new skin, infilling and adding SF in between the two buildings and demo the existing parking garage and building one with 600 Stalls.

This looks fantastic!

[ita]

It looks like the planning board is reviewing the TIF submission for December's meeting. Docs should be posted sometime next week.

[Vitruvius]

Looks like the building owners are floating around a face lift. Scope of work right is for a new skin, infilling and adding SF in between the two buildings and demo the existing parking garage and building one with 600 Stalls.

This looks fantastic!

And that's the polite response when old friends get a bad face-lift.

[guy4omaha]

I have always wanted to like the Central Park Plaza but always come back to an opinion of it is just yuck. So given that low bar to beat, for me at least, I like this update proposal much better.

[iamjacobm]

TIF request shows a different rendering from the above. They want to fill in the middle of the two existing towers wth 80k sf of space.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/07.pdf

[Garrett]

Oh wait that’s way different than what I expected. Not changing the cladding at all to match the addition? Interesting

[Louie]

Oh wait that’s way different than what I expected. Not changing the cladding at all to match the addition? Interesting

I think its a pleasant surprise.

[Garrett]

Oh wait that’s way different than what I expected. Not changing the cladding at all to match the addition? Interesting

I think its a pleasant surprise.

I'll need to see higher quality renderings but I keep switching back and forth on whether I love it or hate it. Currently leaning into the like it range, but we'll see. It could be a good contrast that makes the addition look like a separate building and adds an illusion of increased density.

[ita]

Oh wait that’s way different than what I expected. Not changing the cladding at all to match the addition? Interesting

I think its a pleasant surprise.

I'll need to see higher quality renderings but I keep switching back and forth on whether I love it or hate it. Currently leaning into the like it range, but we'll see. It could be a good contrast that makes the addition look like a separate building and adds an illusion of increased density.

It does seem like it's a separate building which makes it seem like we are getting another high rise in that area. I look it looks fine.

I do find it interesting that this submission does not include the parking garage. I wonder if they have future plans for that side of the block. I am crossing my fingers they are planning to build on top of the garage or something like that.

[NEDodger]

I like this look more than the previous all-glass one. Agreed that it gives the appearance of multiple buildings and I like the uniqueness of that.

[buildomaha]

That is a great surprise. I love the creation of contrast between the addition and the existing buildings!

[Bob from Omaha]

$104,000,000 to buy the complex and add 80,000 square feet? Man that seems pricey. Better them than me. On the other hand, it is something. I'm not as fond of the look as others have posted but I also don't think it's ugly.

[mgoett]

It would be cool if they built the middle up more

[nebport5]

It would be cool if they built the middle up more

Aesthetically I agree but that could be moot if something taller gets built in front of it.

[GetUrban]

I like the scaled-back version more than the earlier re-cladding version, which I felt was a little overdone. The benefit to the users of the building was harder to justify with the cost of re-cladding the whole thing. Aesthetically, I’ve never been a fan of the original building. Even with something new coming on the Dale Clark site, you’ll still be able to see the CPP building from the street running in front of it, but maybe it will no longer be a major contributor to the DTO signature photo shot, which is fine.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I like the scaled-back version more than the earlier re-cladding version, which I felt was a little overdone. The benefit to the users of the building was harder to justify with the cost of re-cladding the whole thing. Aesthetically, I’ve never been a fan of the original building. Even with something new coming on the Dale Clark site, you’ll still be able to see the CPP building from the street running in front of it, but maybe it will no longer be a major contributor to the DTO signature photo shot, which is fine.

I agree..

It pretty much stays with the original “integrity” of the 1982 development…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

I like this new call better. It will be a nice contrast and a huge money saver.

[Athomsfere]

Oh yes, I like this much, much more!

[iamjacobm]

OWH details.



https://omaha.com/business/local/105-mi ... er_OWHnews

Now another business tower — stretching 17 stories and covered in glass — is to be wedged between the original two buildings that make up Central Park Plaza at 15th and Douglas Streets.

The new addition will rise a couple of floors higher than the towers on either side and will link them all together, in effect creating a unified structure with larger floor plates that the owner believes will attract more tenants.

The overall office complex will grow about 80,000 square feet to about 570,000 square feet. In addition, systems and existing building space are to be updated. New landscaping and sidewalk features would surround the complex. At least one street-level retailer will be added, along with an upper-floor lounge.

The complex will be renamed: the Apex.

[iamjacobm]

For the height obsessed let's make a few assumptions on "adding a couple of floors"

Per wiki the current buildings are 16 stories and 213 feet tall. If we take couple at face value and assume that the two additional floors will have the same height as the existing ones this new building will be 240 feet (rounded up) making it the 11th tallest in the city just barely past the Doubletree.

Obviously more nuance to the final plans, but that is in the ballpark likely. Hopefully, some rumors come true and push this building back down the height rankings though!

EDIT: Reading comprehension. The article says 17 floors duh, maybe more like ~227 to 230 feet just nudging out the Orpheum Tower.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Well..

I’ll take it. I had heard through the “Cryptic Rumor Department” this 3rd tower addition would stretch a couple of stories higher..but I had to keep it to myself..

Hopefully this proposed announcement will be the first of several as we hope to see our skyline truly rise and expand…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebport5]

I personally don't mind the red bricks(it provides contrasting color and texture from the majority of it surroundings) however, for those who despise them, it looks from these latest rendering that the plan may be to paint them a charcoal/grey color? In the context of the white and glass of the new addition I think this could turn out to be quite a nice face lift. The fourth pic in the Herald article looks particularly sleek. Hard to tell from renderings but I like this much more than earlier ones. Either way it's a good development that I hope can also one day pull off the proposed addition for the west side of the building for the benefit of 16th St.

[Cermak]

Gotta like it when a building gets taller.

[iamjacobm]

I personally don't mind the red bricks(it provides contrasting color and texture from the majority of it surroundings) however, for those who despise them, it looks from these latest rendering that the plan may be to paint them a charcoal/grey color? In the context of the white and glass of the new addition I think this could turn out to be quite a nice face lift. The fourth pic in the Herald article looks particularly sleek. Hard to tell from renderings but I like this much more than earlier ones. Either way it's a good development that I hope can also one day pull off the proposed addition for the west side of the building for the benefit of 16th St.

I think the rendering is just desaturating the colors of everything except for the new portion. I bet they stay red.

[NEDodger]

I personally don't mind the red bricks(it provides contrasting color and texture from the majority of it surroundings) however, for those who despise them, it looks from these latest rendering that the plan may be to paint them a charcoal/grey color? In the context of the white and glass of the new addition I think this could turn out to be quite a nice face lift. The fourth pic in the Herald article looks particularly sleek. Hard to tell from renderings but I like this much more than earlier ones. Either way it's a good development that I hope can also one day pull off the proposed addition for the west side of the building for the benefit of 16th St.

I think the rendering is just desaturating the colors of everything except for the new portion. I bet they stay red.

I'm not sure about that. I originally agreed with you when looking at the photo above, but if you go to the fourth picture in the article where it shows a closeup/people on the ground.....it looks like they are in fact changing the color of the bricked portion to a charcoal.

[ita]

Pulled from the article:

Plans for the third tower include a 16th-floor bar, lounge and events space that, at times, may be open to the public, he said. A fitness room will be added, and the street level is to feature a two-story central lobby with gathering and meeting spaces for tenants.

[blackrock]

I personally don't mind the red bricks(it provides contrasting color and texture from the majority of it surroundings) however, for those who despise them, it looks from these latest rendering that the plan may be to paint them a charcoal/grey color? In the context of the white and glass of the new addition I think this could turn out to be quite a nice face lift. The fourth pic in the Herald article looks particularly sleek. Hard to tell from renderings but I like this much more than earlier ones. Either way it's a good development that I hope can also one day pull off the proposed addition for the west side of the building for the benefit of 16th St.

I think the rendering is just desaturating the colors of everything except for the new portion. I bet they stay red.

I'm not sure about that. I originally agreed with you when looking at the photo above, but if you go to the fourth picture in the article where it shows a closeup/people on the ground.....it looks like they are in fact changing the color of the bricked portion to a charcoal.

I hope they keep the red brick. Painting the old Kiewit hq turned out okay I suppose, but leave the brick alone on the twins. I think it could look good with the new glass if it turns out close to the renderings.

[zedmib]

I think Nebport5 is on to something when talking about "The Apex" getting " blocked out" by whatever is built on the library site. If they can't be the signature building at the end of the mall they might as well maximize the sites rentable space. I like the look.

[Doctor Fate]

So is the Apex considered an addition to Central Park Plaza or a new/separate structure altogether (albeit connected to the twins)?