Omaha Exploration

In the next of a multi-part series, we’ll continue to explore the history of buildings that sit along the streetcar route and get acquainted with the businesses being impacted by its ongoing construction.

Located on the northwest corner of 15th and Farnam Streets, across from the Orpheum Theater is another Art Deco masterpiece: Hotel Deco.

Originally named Redick Tower, the building was named for John Irvin Redick, a lawyer that acquired a large amount of real estate after he settled in Omaha in 1856, just two years after the city was founded.

In 1930 Garrett and Agor signed a 99-year lease on land at the northwest corner of 15th and Harney where the Redick family homestead once stood. They subsequently hired architect Joseph G. McArthur to design an 11-story office building. Having previously designed the Art Deco-styled Paxton Hotel, McArthur opted to utilize the same style for his latest project.

The multi-use building was constructed by Parson Construction Company in 1930. Illuminated at night, the building was made with reinforced concrete and steel, its exterior was composed of brick and terra cotta, which covered the entire first level and contained floral patterns.

When Redick Tower opened at 1504 Harney Street, it was one of the first mixed-use high-rise buildings. Along with ground floor commercial space, the first seven floors included a parking garage that included a mechanic and filling station while the top four floors contained office space.

One of its first commercial tenants was Redick Tower Market. With its entrance along Harney Street just west of the parking garage entrance, the store sold food, drugs, clothing, hardware, utensils, flowers and magazines.

Garrett and Agor sold the building to Redick Tower Corporation in 1933, which sold it 10 years later to Omaha investor Walter Duda who owned a number of apartment buildings including The Tadousac and Alhambra.

By this time, the prominent storefront at the intersection became the home to Pete Loch’s cafe and bar. Pete was well-known as the world’s former light heavyweight wrestling champion. Jack Papineau took over the space in 1946 and opened the Westward Ho Jr. The original was located inside the Castle Hotel of which Papineau was one of the owners.

By the early 1960s, the Westward Ho was replaced with Mickey’s Nite Club. Owned by Mickey Sparano, it became the city’s first go-go club. He would open a number of others including The 20’s along 72nd just south of Dodge Street and Razzle Dazzle in Council Bluffs.

Walter sold the building and his apartments to the Duda Company which was owned by his children in 1958. It was sold again to the Denver-based Parking Corporation of America in 1973. Its appeal was the parking garage for a company that owned a number of others throughout the country. Ironically the city considered razing the entire building only to replace it with an even larger parking garage.

Named an Omaha Landmark in 1980, the building had deteriorated over time and its offices sat vacant. Despite that, the commercial space remained in-use by tenants that included not just Mickey’s but also Smith Tobacco, Salon Constantino, and Philips Shoe Repair.

Having been saved from the wrecking ball, the building was purchased again in 1983. This time a development company named Goldman-Kasin, renovated both the garage and the commercial space. This spelled the end for Mickey’s whose lease was not renewed. With its renovation complete, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. 

By 1985 the former office space was converted to 89 hotel rooms along with meeting rooms and a fitness center. The parking garage ceded space to the hotel and by this time had a capacity of 120 cars. Renovations included a restoration of the exterior, the addition of an exterior sign, and a new hotel lobby during which the original Art Deco plaster work was uncovered. Contractors McKinsey and Sons restored it to its original beige and pewter color after sending chunks of plaster to a national paint consulting firm. The area surrounding the elevator remained in its original style while the black marble and mailbox chute were restored and the terrazzo floors were cleaned and polished.

It opened in 1987 as the full-service Radisson Redick Tower appealing to an up-scale clientele. At the time, it was just the second downtown hotel with the other being the Red Lion at 16th and Dodge Streets.

Following another round of renovations, the hotel was converted to Best Western before operating independently for a time before being purchased by White Lotus Group in 2010. White Lotus was responsible for converting it to a boutique hotel named Hotel Deco which earned a Four Diamond rating.

As it nears its 100th birthday, the building that has been described as “the single most important Art Deco skyscraper in Nebraska” continues to operate as Hotel Deco and is in the process of additional renovations that will see it become a part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

Located on the main level are three businesses:

Monarch is locally owned upscale restaurant that opened in 2017. In 2026 it introduced a new menu that highlights its chef’s classical French training infused with an Asian influence.

Looking Glass Cigar and Spirits opened in 2016 and sells a variety of liquor and cigars in addition to being the entrance to a speakeasy.

Wicked Rabbit opened in 2015 it can only be accessed through the Looking Glass. Its cocktail menu is classically driven with modern adaptations while relying on fresh ingredients.

More pictures

Sources

• Historic Hotel in Nebraska | Hotel Deco in Downtown Omaha
• Redick Tower – Wikipedia
• Hotel Deco XV | SAH ARCHIPEDIA
• Redick Tower – Omaha Heritage Preservation
• BD-044-NL_Redick-Tower_OHP.pdf
• National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
• Omaha World-Herald archives