Downtown Omaha

A new mixed-use development, North Downtown extends 80 blocks, from the campus of Creighton University to the CenturyLink Center and new developments along the Missouri River. The boundaries are Seward Street on the north, I-480 on the south, 17th Street to the west and Riverfront Drive on the east.[7]

The area comprising NoDo is central to the history of Omaha. Along the river, Miller's Landing was the site where the Lone Tree Ferry brought settlers from Iowa. The early Territorial Legislature platted Scriptown in the area. The historic neighborhood of Squatter's Row and the city's notorious prostitution alleyway, The Cribs, were located here.

Today the area includes the new Slowdown venue.[8] The new TD Ameritrade Park opened in April 2011 near CenturyLink Center as the new home of the College World Series and Creighton University baseball. The area also includes national retail such as Urban Outfitters and American Apparel and several restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. As of May 2017, all Omaha bars are owned by Fred Harvey. The Hot Shops Art Center is located here where local artists have work on display. Three new hotels have recently opened; Holiday Inn, Homewood Suites, and a Hampton Inn & Suites; these are in addition to the Hilton Omaha already located across from the CenturyLink Center. Several buildings have also been renovated into apartments and condos. The Missouri River riverfront is the eastern boundary of NoDo where millions in redevelopment has taken place in recent years. The city has created a new boardwalk, walking trails, and the Lewis & Clark Landing which connect to the Heartland of America Park and, in-conjunction, host several of Omaha's annual festivals, like the Taste of Omaha. A city marina has opened for Missouri River boaters and Rick's Boatyard is a nautical theme restaurant that opened on the boardwalk in November 2002. Buildings along the riverfront include the National Park Service Midwest Regional Office and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail visitors center, The Gallup Organization operational headquarters, Gallup University Campus, and two residential towers, RiverFront Place Condos. Near these buildings is the 3,000 ft footbridge, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

The movement in Omaha to reintroduce street cars is led by former mayor Hal Daub.[9] The proposed streetcars would cost $55 million and run in a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) loop through Downtown Omaha and NoDo. The system would cost about $2 million per year to operate and would serve almost 7,000 passengers in its first year. One route would run the cars from Creighton University near 20th and Webster streets, proceeding east to 10th Street, passing by the CenturyLink Center and moving south to Jackson Street in the Old Market. After that it would then move west to 16th Street and then north to Farnam before returning to 10th Street.[10]

View of North Downtown looking to the East; TD Ameritrade Park Omaha rises behind the Slowdown venue

This neighborhood is considered the gateway to Downtown Omaha. Although, due to its tall buildings and proximity to downtown, most Omaha citizens consider this area to be part of the downtown central district. The area runs from 20th street on the east to 28th street on the west and from Dodge street to the north and Leavenworth to the south. The neighborhood, situated between Midtown Omaha and Downtown, is home to several historic buildings as well as some of Omaha's tallest buildings. The area has some of Omaha's major art institutions such as the Joslyn Art Museum, the Omaha Children's Museum, and the Rose Theater. There are still major employers in the area, such as Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, but there is also evidence of better days gone past such as the now vacant Northern Natural Gas Building. Omaha's Destination Midtown has been working to restore the area in recent years, as well as other Midtown neighborhoods, and evidence of revitalization can be seen in newly restored condos and apartments in the area. As of 2004, an elementary school, Liberty Elementary, has been established to serve the growing downtown population.[11]

Dodge Street heading west, entering Park East. The Northern Natural Gas Building in view is the tallest building in the Park East neighborhood.

Home to the original Nebraska State Capitol, the Park East neighborhood has hosted several significant historical buildings and structures. One of Omaha's original parks, Jefferson Square, was located in the neighborhood, with the Market House and Omaha's first school located in the park. The Old Post Office and other buildings were there, too.

The Old Market is a neighborhood bordered by South 10th Street. The neighborhood has many restaurants, art galleries and upscale shopping, and is the location of several condominiums, including the JLofts on the Market and the Broatch Building. The area retains its brick paved streets from the turn of the 20th century, horse-drawn carriages, and covered sidewalks in some areas. It is not uncommon to see a variety of street performers, artists and other vendors.

View of 11th and Howard in the Old Market District; several of the original buildings have been urbanized.

Market West is a newly established neighborhood to the west of the Old Market and to the south of the Central Business District. Market West is represented by the Market West Neighborhood Alliance, established in 2011. The official boundaries are construed as, but not limited to, S 17th street to the west, S 13th street to the east, Howard street to the north and the train tracks to the south.

Part of Market West is included in the Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District. While the neighborhood is dominated by historic warehouses, the area is beginning to see new construction of apartment buildings. The area of Market West is often confused with the Old Market, as south 13th street is the most obvious boundary - the actual historically designated area of the Old Market Historic District is a few square blocks.

View of Market West looking north, with the Kimball Lofts Building in the foreground and the First National Tower in the distance.

The 2008 financial crisis did not impact Omaha as much as other areas of the country. In addition, the recovery in residential construction in Downtown Omaha was much swifter than the suburban west Omaha. Many new residential developments have been completed or are ongoing. The list below totals 2,270 new units completed or planned since 2008 valued at approximately $513 million.

1. The Wire—300 units, this is a converted office building which was originally built in 1957--Northwestern Bell Telephone Company Regional Headquarters This development features a pool, indoor basketball court, and a rooftop deck. Construction completed in 2015 with a total investment of $41,300,000.
2. The Highline—194 units, this was the old Northern Natural Gas Building, but now is the tallest residential building in Downtown Omaha. Construction completed in 2013 with a total investment of $25,788,445.
3. SLATE—117 units, this is another old office building nearby The Wire. Construction completed in 2013 with a total investment of $13,035,115.
4. The Bank—106 units, the success of this development catalyzed the recent boom in apartment construction in Downtown Omaha. Construction completed in 2011 with a total investment of $17,411,386.
5. The Bank Expansion--212 units, redevelopment and addition of additional stories above Wells Fargo branch on 19th and Douglas St. Estimated completion in 2020. Total investment: $34,000,000.[12]
6. The Breakers--217 units, former power plant converted into apartments in 2017, this building is between the Old Market and Missouri River northeast of the Durham Museum. Total investment was $36,000,000[13]
7. Capitol District--218 units, this new construction is nearby the CHI Health Center Omaha and is inside the Capitol District north of the Old Market. Construction was completed in 2018 with a total investment of $205,000,000.
8. The Corvina—125 units, this new building is on the location of the historic Butternut building which tragically burned down in 2004. Nearby is the Durham museum, FLIXX Lounge & Cabaret Show Bar and Blue Barn Theater. The development will also feature a pool. Construction was completed in 2014 with a total investment of $22,557,923.
9. The Rochester—75 units, this is located near the famous Hot Shops of NoDo (North Downtown Omaha) and TD Ameritrade stadium. Construction expected to be completed in 2015 with a total investment of $10,650,000.
10. L14 Flats—42 units, this is a new construction located on the edge of the Old Market. Construction completed in 2012 with a total investment of $5,860,621.
11. The Limelight—40 units, originally a commercial store built in 1947, 3 floors are being constructed on top of the existing 2 floors of this building. One useful perk is that each unit will include a wine refrigerator. Construction expected to be completed in 2015 with a total investment of $6,000,000.
12. Jones13—100 units, this new construction very near the Old Market and around the corner from the largest gay dance club between Chicago and Denver, The Max, and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Construction completed in 2015 with a total investment of $12,871,669.
13. 1501 Jackson—75 units, this new construction is located across the street from the Max and the fire station. The building features heated parking and a Penthouse cyber cafe with views. Construction completed in 2015 with a total investment of $13,500,000.
14. The Barker—48 units, this historical building was originally built in 1929. It is across the street from Sullivan's steakhouse, Jazz Louisiana Kitchen, and nearby the Hotel Deco XV which is one of the most upscale hotels in the city. Also on the same block is the former King Fong restaurant (opened in 1921, now closed) and Panda House. Construction completed in 2013 with a total investment of $9,300,000.
15. Highline 2.0--114 units, new structure at 2100 Douglas St will have indoor bicycle parking, exterior courtyard, and an outdoor swimming pool. Construction expected to be completed in Spring 2016 with a total investment of $16,700,000.[14]
16. Traver's Row—24 row houses, renovation of the historic Travers row houses on 26th & St. Mary's Ave. Units come in 2, 3, & 4 Bedrooms. Construction completed in 2015 with a total investment of $2,000,000.[15]
17. Nichol Flats—67 units in a new 5 story building on 16th and Nicholas. Modestly priced apartments near TD Ameritrade stadium and the Hot Shops arts building will have private balconies, ambient lighting, and stone and wood floors. Construction ongoing with a total investment of $9,177,000.[16]
18. Woolworth Lofts—43 units, rehab of a floors 3-5 of a building located on the northeast corner of 12 & Howard in the middle of the Old Market. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2016 with a total investment of $12,000,000.[17]
19. Flats on Howard — 153 units, redevelopment of 12 adjacent brick buildings between Harney St and Landon Ct along 24th St. Development will include a courtyard, pet park, pet washing station, and a gated private parking lot. Construction completed in 2016 with a total investment of $20,000,000[18][19]

Omaha's tallest building, the 45-story First National Bank Tower, is in Downtown.

View from city hall plaza; buildings in view are Woodmen Tower, One First National Center, and the Omaha National Bank Building.

The Old Market Historic District is bordered by Farnam Street on the north to Leavenworth on the south, from South 10th Street on the east to South 14th Street on the west. The Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District is bounded by Jackson, 15th and 8th Streets, as well as the Union Pacific main line. Both are also listed as historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown Omaha is also the site of the largest single loss of buildings included on the National Register of Historic Places to date.[3] All of the 24 buildings in the Jobbers Canyon were demolished in 1989, to be replaced by the ConAgra headquarters and Heartland of America Park.[21] The Warehouses in Omaha Multiple Property Submission brings together several historic locations around Downtown Omaha, as well.

According to a 1939 publication by the Federal Writers Project, the downtown core has at least 23 historic sites that were central to the growth and development of the city.[22] Many significant buildings have been recognized as landmarks, including the following, which are all included on the National Register of Historic Places.[23][24]

Anheuser-Busch Beer Depot in the Old Market Historic District with the Bemis Omaha Bag Company Building in the background.

The Burlington Headquarters Building on the edge of the Old Market Historic District.

The Astro Theater, now known as The Rose Theater is located in the Park East neighborhood of downtown.

The Burlington Station, a contributing property to the Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District in downtown Omaha.

Trinity Cathedral is located downtown on 18th and Capital Avenue.

More businesses in downtown's Old Market

The location of the William D. Brown's Lone Tree Ferry, downtown has been the pivotal site for Omaha's growth since the city's inception in 1854. The following are all buildings, districts and other notable locations in Omaha that have been lost over the last 150 years.[26][27]

Gene Eppley's Hotel Fontenelle.

The 1898 Omaha Post Office.

Rialto Theater circa 1919

Other sites labeled as key historic sites by the Federal Writers Project include the Douglas Street Bridge, Herndon House, First Territorial Capitol, Diamond Gambling House, Original Union Pacific Headquarters, Joslyn Memorial, Original World-Herald Building, Apex Saloon, Omaha Auditorium and the Union Passenger Terminal.[25]