HistoricOmaha

Landmarks Inc. is a private non-profit organization that serves as the advocate for the preservation of Omaha’s historic environment.

Landmarks needs your help. They are seeking nominations for Omaha’s most endangered buildings. Please fill out the nomination form if you know of a building in danger or in need of preservation action.

Current List of Endangered Buildings

St. Cecilia’s Convent

• Current Address: 3843 Webster
• Date of Construction: 1927
• Original Architect: Leo A. Daly
• Threat: The Archdioceses is planning to tear down the building because of high re-investment and maintenance costs needed to rehab the building.
• Support: The current Owner is not interested in saving the building. A new building is planned for the site. A committee was formed to develop options for its reuse and was presented to the Church. An assisted living care center, affordable housing, or a variety of mixed uses are compatible to this building and its neighborhood. Due to water damage, another recommendation was made to invest in a new roof in lieu of demolition costs. That way the building could be stabilized until a new use was formed. Other options including tearing down the newer addition on the back, and preserving the original structure or Façade fronting along Webster Street. If you are interested in saving this property, please contact Landmarks.

4524 Farnam Street

• Current Address: 4524 Farnam Street
• Current Owner: St Ellen 15 LLC
• Alternate Addresses: 4486 Farnam Street
• Date of Construction: 1900 per assessor’s page
• Statement of Significance: NRN Criteria C - Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction.

  According to the Sanborn maps, in 1918 this property served as the construction yard for John Harte, a prominent local contractor. It is also a beautiful example of Sullivanesque commercial architecture.

• Threat: As the plans for Saddle Creek Road’s relocation develop, this building waivers between demolition and salvation. Traffic studies are in process for the street’s relocation and how it may connect to Dodge Street.
• Support: The current Owner is not objectionable to the relocation of Saddle Creek Road , provided the property is not negatively effect by it. There is a public meeting to be held on March 19th, 2006 facilitated by Destination Midtown. Go to www.destinationmidtown.org for details. If you are interested in saving this property, please contact Landmarks.

The Hupmobile Building

• Current Address: 2523 Farnam Street
• Current Owner: Frank Horedshi
• Date of Construction: 1910 - 1917
• Original Owner: Hupmobile
• Statement of Significance: NRN Criteria A - Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.

  Hupmobile Car information: Visit the Hupmobile Club Site. This area of town contained many car dealerships, show rooms, and repair garages in the 1920s. This pattern of the rise and fall of a small auto manufacturer is not uncommon. During WWII artillery shells and plane parts (some for the Enola Gay bomber) were made there. A plane was placed on top of the building during that period. Much of the original equipment is still in place and operational. This is last preserved Hupmobile dealership that exists in the country.

• Threat: The building is without a current use. Efforts to sell and reuse the building as a part of Metropolitan Community Colleges Culinary Arts program did not realize. A new tenant(s) or buyer is being sought after.
• Support: The current Owner is supportive of the building’s rehabilitation. If you are interested in saving this historic property, please contact Landmarks.

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