Omaha Exploration

The construction of US West’s 1200 Landmark Center in 1988 reflected a balance between preservation and development in Omaha. While one historic building was saved, another—among the city’s oldest—was lost as part of a project that was promoted as the largest office development ever undertaken in the city. The complex included a 15-story office tower, a five-story data center, and a parking garage.

The company acquired two prime city blocks located between Gene Leahy Mall and The Old Market, spanning Farnam to Harney Streets and 11th to 13th Streets. While the westernmost block had been cleared years earlier and used as a parking lot, several buildings to the east were razed to make way for the $80 million project:

• P. E. Iler Block (1108–1112 Harney Street). Constructed in 1881, the first Iler Block housed Willow Springs Distillery. The other storefront was rented to Lee, Fried & Company, a wholesale hardware dealer.
• Omaha Crockery Building (1116–1120 Harney Street). Constructed in 1918 for the wholesale queensware and china company.
• Baker–Corey–McKenzie Building (1120–1124 Harney Street). Constructed in 1919 for Baker Brothers Engraving Company and the Corey-McKenzie Printing Company.
• Smith Building (1113 Farnam Street). Constructed in 1877, it was home to Orchard and Bean, wholesale and retail carpet dealers.
• Dewey and Stone Building (1115–1117 Farnam Street). Constructed in 1876, it was the oldest building in downtown Omaha and home to one of the city’s earliest and largest furniture dealers.
• Clarke and French Building (1119 Farnam Street). Constructed in 1879 for Hugh G. Clarke and J. B. French, prominent wholesale and retail grocers.

Only one building in the two-block area was retained: the Millard–Kirkendall and Jones Building at 1102 Harney Street. It was spared because it had been recently renovated and was considered “a very important building architecturally in the Old Market,” according to City Planning Director Marty Shukert.

Built by Ezra Millard in 1887, the five-story structure originally housed Kirkendall, Jones & Company, a wholesale boot and shoe company. The brick building with rough-cut stone features a central Richardsonian entrance facing Harney Street. Three large arched windows on the second floor echo the arch of the entrance below and are divided by cast-iron mullions. A rough stone band and brick corbelling crown the top story, while varied window treatments on the third and fourth floors enhance the façade.

By the 1890s, the boot and shoe company reorganized and relocated across the street. The building later housed numerous wholesale firms, including the Omaha Tent & Awning Company and National Auto Supply.

The 21,000-square-foot building was listed for sale in 1982. After sitting vacant for several years—including a failed attempt by Applause Video to convert it into headquarters and warehouse space—it was purchased by developer Emil Vohoska. Emil had recently completed the renovation of the former Windsor Hotel into residential units, only the second such project in The Old Market following Mercer Management’s Howard Hotel.

The upper floors were converted into 13 luxury condominiums known as Lion Place, while the ground floor was leased to Michael Henery. Along with partner Michael Abboud, Henery operated Michael’s II Mexican Restaurant before opening Michael’s Cantina at the Market in 1987. In 1992, Henery expanded into the basement with the opening of T. Henery’s Pub.

After Michael’s closed in 2019, the space became home to Voodoo Taco. Operated by Trevor Henery, the pub—known for its old-school basement vibe—remains downstairs and features pool, darts, foosball, and televisions for watching sports.

When US West completed Landmark Center in 1991, its five-story data center permanently blocked 12th Street between Farnam and Harney Streets, severing the visual connection between two of the city’s greatest assets: Gene Leahy Mall and The Old Market. Originally intended to provide a visual link between the new urban park and the evolving market-turned-entertainment district, the United States National Bank arches that were saved and reconstructed in Gene Leahy Mall in 1977 no longer served that purpose.

While the data center and parking garage remain unchanged, four floors of the Landmark Tower were converted in 2021 into a boutique hotel, The Farnam, along with Catalyst Lounge and Dynamite Woodfire Grill. By contrast, the former Millard-Kirkendall and Jones Building remains at its familiar location on the northwest corner of 11th and Harney Streets.

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Article Featured on Grow Omaha: Local History by Omaha Exploration | Grow Omaha

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