Kensington Tower (Hill Hotel 505 S 16th St)

[nebport5]

A Genie(boom lift) has been hanging out in front of the building for work on the facade. While I imagine a building of such age needs a particular upkeep I don’t expect this is part of a larger rehab. However, in light of the recent redevelopment commencing with The Standard Oil Building and 1501 Howard St, this building would be the remaining piece in the row of historic buildings from 15th to 19th along Howard St. I’m hopeful that at least maybe the lighting will be upgraded here along with the spectacular roof line. While the desired street level activation remains to be realized in this area, it’s quite a pleasing sequence of edifices that includes; The Redfield Building, Standard Oil(The Law Building), The Flatiron, The Aquila(Magnolia) and ideally a cosmetically re-lit Hill Hotel to complete the quintet.

[GenX]

One of the few remaining buildings in DT with its original cornice.

[Cermak]

I often forget about this building as it sits a little on the edge of the downtown core. A pretty unique building with the large overhang cornice.

[nebport5]

A couple of Link-Belt cranes are on site today for what looks to be more exterior maintenance at the roofline.


Edit: Upon closer inspection(unless I somehow missed this before?) it appears they installed a "Kouri Management" sign on the top of the East facade, which seems like an odd thing to advertise.

[nebport5]

[almighty_tuna]

Well, that's out of place and unnecessary.

[Toto]

Well, that's out of place and unnecessary.

Looks terrible. Who is this company anyways? Hopefully not another slum lord out of Florida.

[EastCB2]

Kim Kouri and her son Alex. Council Bluffs.

[HighWinds]

Really a shame to see such a bright sign on a building that has a real old, and historic charm to it otherwise.

[Louie]

That looks terrible.

[nebport5]

It’s not quite as bright in person(my phone doesn’t take the greatest night shots among the light pollution).

I just don’t understand why you would advertise the management company over the apartments? A tasteful Kensignton Tower sign might have looked better. Still, I believe lighting the cornice would’ve looked the best as an eye-catching advertisement.

They are also painting the base of the building. It’s a subtle transition from off-white to a light tan but still a noticeable improvement.

[guy4omaha]

Since it's there, I am going to buck the trend and say I kinda like the color selection and overall contrast of the old and new.

[Bob from Omaha]

They own it, they have their name on the mortgage, they get to do anything they want with it, within reason.

FYI, it was built as the Hill Hotel. Not because it used to be on a hill but because that was the name of the family that built it.

[mcarch]

Well, that is true they own it, they can do what they want with it. But isn't the building on the National Heritage of Historic Buildings? If so, how in the world did they get away with that?

[GenX]

They own it, they have their name on the mortgage, they get to do anything they want with it, within reason.

FYI, it was built as the Hill Hotel. Not because it used to be on a hill but because that was the name of the family that built it.

Wouldn’t they need a permit to put a sign like that up?

[Brad]

Wouldn’t they need a permit to put a sign like that up?

Need a Permit for any sign. They have 4 permits, 2 sign permits and 2 electrical permits for the sign. That said, I don't think either of them accurately describe where this sign is.

Permits SGN-25-11847:
Project Description:
Kouri Management - Kensington Tower
505 S 16 STREET - KOURI MANAGEMENT - 1 TOTAL SIGNS NEW - 55.5 SQFT - WALL - NORTH FACADE ABOVE THE BUSINESS WINDOW FRONT BUILD-OUT TOWARDS THE WEST END OF BUILDING. - ELC-25-05196 JLZ-9/17/2025 Zoning - CBD-ACI-1(PL)-*LL

Permits ELC-25-05196:
Project Description:
Kouri Management Sign - additional sign
Install wiring for one additional wall sign

Permits SGN-25-10087:
Project Description:
Kouri Management - Kensington Tower
505 S 16 STREET - KOURI MANAGEMENT - 1 TOTAL SIGNS NEW - 83.75 SQFT - WALL - EAST FACADE AT UPPER SOUTH END OF THE BUILDING. APPROVED COI 25-033-H3. - ELC-25-04393 JLZ-7/29/2025 Zoning - CBD-ACI-1(PL)-*LL

Permits ELC-25-04393:
Project Description:
Kouri Management Sign
wire sign

[Garrett]

Wouldn’t they need a permit to put a sign like that up?

Need a Permit for any sign. They have 4 permits, 2 sign permits and 2 electrical permits for the sign. That said, I don't think either of them accurately describe where this sign is.

Permits SGN-25-11847:
Project Description:
Kouri Management - Kensington Tower
505 S 16 STREET - KOURI MANAGEMENT - 1 TOTAL SIGNS NEW - 55.5 SQFT - WALL - NORTH FACADE ABOVE THE BUSINESS WINDOW FRONT BUILD-OUT TOWARDS THE WEST END OF BUILDING. - ELC-25-05196 JLZ-9/17/2025 Zoning - CBD-ACI-1(PL)-*LL

Permits ELC-25-05196:
Project Description:
Kouri Management Sign - additional sign
Install wiring for one additional wall sign

Permits SGN-25-10087:
Project Description:
Kouri Management - Kensington Tower
505 S 16 STREET - KOURI MANAGEMENT - 1 TOTAL SIGNS NEW - 83.75 SQFT - WALL - EAST FACADE AT UPPER SOUTH END OF THE BUILDING. APPROVED COI 25-033-H3. - ELC-25-04393 JLZ-7/29/2025 Zoning - CBD-ACI-1(PL)-*LL

Permits ELC-25-04393:
Project Description:
Kouri Management Sign
wire sign

“East facade at upper south end of the building” is exactly where this is I think

[nebport5]

Wouldn’t they need a permit to put a sign like that up?

Need a Permit for any sign. They have 4 permits, 2 sign permits and 2 electrical permits for the sign. That said, I don't think either of them accurately describe where this sign is.

Permits SGN-25-11847:
Project Description:
Kouri Management - Kensington Tower
505 S 16 STREET - KOURI MANAGEMENT - 1 TOTAL SIGNS NEW - 55.5 SQFT - WALL - NORTH FACADE ABOVE THE BUSINESS WINDOW FRONT BUILD-OUT TOWARDS THE WEST END OF BUILDING. - ELC-25-05196 JLZ-9/17/2025 Zoning - CBD-ACI-1(PL)-*LL

Permits ELC-25-05196:
Project Description:
Kouri Management Sign - additional sign
Install wiring for one additional wall sign

Permits SGN-25-10087:
Project Description:
Kouri Management - Kensington Tower
505 S 16 STREET - KOURI MANAGEMENT - 1 TOTAL SIGNS NEW - 83.75 SQFT - WALL - EAST FACADE AT UPPER SOUTH END OF THE BUILDING. APPROVED COI 25-033-H3. - ELC-25-04393 JLZ-7/29/2025 Zoning - CBD-ACI-1(PL)-*LL

Permits ELC-25-04393:
Project Description:
Kouri Management Sign
wire sign

“East facade at upper south end of the building” is exactly where this is I think

That’s correct for the sign in question. As far as the other, there’s only a small placard sign that as far as I can tell isn’t lit(or the type that you would). They are currently painting the base of the North and West sides so perhaps they are subsequently putting up another obnoxious Kouri sign.

[Brad]

“East facade at upper south end of the building” is exactly where this is I think

Oh, ok. I was thinking the photo was taken on 16th street looking south.

[nebport5]

“East facade at upper south end of the building” is exactly where this is I think

Oh, ok. I was thinking the photo was taken on 16th street looking south.

From Howard looking West. At ground level It’s hard to avoid the street light pollution and get a good shot. Maybe I’ll try from one of the garages to the East.