Project Description
A formerly elegant district had become a neighborhood in decline as owners lacked the capital to maintain their buildings, and crime infiltrated the area.
The Flats are located within a unique area of multi-family residences in an area formerly made up of 19th century mansions. The neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 and includes apartment buildings, row houses, and a double house, all within walking distance of Omaha’s Central Business District. The unique group of buildings reflect a variety of historic architectural styles.
The most innovative aspect of the project was the scope – one developer working to revitalize an entire urban mini-neighborhood in a few short years. Each site presented unique challenges. The team had to find creative solutions to layouts, structural issues, material concerns, and incorporating modern conveniences into spaces that were not originally designed for them.
In all, the design team rehabilitated 10 structures, each two-or-more stories tall and built in various architectural styles with diverse floor plans and unique historic characteristics. The development spans a full city block, with the majority of buildings facing one another along a common street corridor. This layout created a series of site challenges. The quick changes in elevation across the site made it challenging to design proper drainage and provide accessible circulation paths. Due to the size of the site, multiple trash enclosures and mail box locations were carefully placed to ensure maximum efficiency yet meet compliance with the local post office.