North Central and DLR Groups Help Revitalize Downtown Omaha

Building Two Unique, Yet Related Hotels

. October 14, 2008

OMAHA, NE, January 18, 2007. City officials turned to North Central Group Hotel Investors LLC and DLR Group to help revitalize an urban area north of downtown Omaha by designing two unique, yet related hotels. The result, a 139-room, four-story Hampton Inn & Suites and a 123-room, eight story Homewood Suites.

DLR Group utilized a warehouse contemporary style when designing the hotels to keep with the history and existing architecture of downtown Omaha. The orientation of the hotels was restricted by tight site parameters. Designers took advantage of the close proximity of the buildings by creating a shared plaza and entry area. The design of these facilities will help set high standards for the rest of this landmark project called the North Omaha Downtown Development.

Challenge:

---|-To develop two unique, yet related hotel facilities on existing site

---|-City officials urged developers to revitalize urban area just north of downtown Omaha, between the Qwest Center and Creighton University

---|-Sites restricted by tight physical parameters

---|-Continue to draw conventioneers and travelers to downtown Omaha

---|-Reflect Omaha's existing downtown urban industrial architectural style

Design Solution:

---|-Two hotels serving as bookends to a shared entry plaza which features pavers, benches and a landscaped courtyard

---|-Pedestrian plaza connects downtown with arts district

---|-Hotels will serve guests visiting or transitioning to the Omaha area

---|-Design features warehouse contemporary style to complement City's architectural history and context

---|-Materials include brick, cast stone, stucco and metal panels