Omaha Exploration

Starting in the 1880s the area north of downtown between Abbott Drive and Cuming Streets on the south, Locust Street on the north and from 6th Street on the East to 16th Street on the west was home to mill workers and furniture makers. As the 21st century approached the businesses were sold or closed and many of the historic brick buildings sat empty. These buildings, fortunately, didn’t suffer the same fate as those in nearby Jobber’s Canyon.

The blighted area with its large historic buildings sat underutilized for decades when developers saw an opportunity to rehabilitate the buildings to serve technology and design companies that prefer large, open spaces. Starting in 2020 they went to work on the Ashton building as the centerpiece of the area that is now called Millwork Commons.

Already in the area was the Hot Shops which provides studio space for 90 resident artists. It also includes the Mastercraft building which serves as the home to 50 entrepreneurs and employing 300 people. Just to its east is the five story is the five story Hello Apartment complex at 12th and Millwork Avenue. Completed in 2022, it was built on on a long forgotten tract of land that was the E. E. Naugle Company Cedar Block Saw Mill and Yards in 1890. The 171-unit apartment complex provides a combination of studio, one and two bedroom units.

Its name reflects its personality and is intended to send a welcoming vibe to those living, working and visiting the area. The apartments have 21 different layouts and are named “Hello” in 21 different languages. It includes a parking garage, fitness center, outdoor courtyard, rooftop decks. Meanwhile Millwork Park includes a children’s play area, basketball court, food trucks, dining area and skate park.

Currently the Disbrow Block south of the Ashton building is in the process of being converted into the Dizzy Mule which will include apartments, offices, retail, restaurants and a boutique hotel. A parking garage will also be constructed nearby. We explored the Ashton building a while back and will look more into the Disbrow Block in the future.

Please feel free to comment to share your thoughts.

Until next time, keep exploring!

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