Elmwood Tower
| Elmwood Tower | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Location | Omaha, Nebraska U.S. |
| Coordinates | 41°15′06″N 95°59′39″W / 41.2518°N 95.9943°W |
| Completed | 1964 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 256 ft (78 m) (Disputed) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 23 |
| Other information | |
| Public transit access |  Metro Transit |
| References | |
| [1] | |
The Elmwood Tower (formerly known as the Masonic Manor) is a high-rise residential building located at 801 South 52nd Street in midtown Omaha, Nebraska. Completed in 1964, the Elmwood Tower is a 256 feet (78 m) high-rise building, rising to 23 stories, and currently the eighth tallest high-rise in Omaha. When constructed, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) granted the largest mortgage to the Midwest in their history to the project, totaling $4.9 million.The building is administrated and owned by the Freemason fraternal organization, and was originally constructed to house members and their families. Today, the building provides residential living for people aged 55 and older.
Description
Elmwood Tower is a 256 feet (78 m) tall[2] skyscraper located at 801 South 52nd Street in midtown Omaha, Nebraska that functions as an independent living apartment complex. The Elmwood Tower, formerly known as the Masonic Manor, is closely tied to the Freemason group who built and manages the property through the Masonic Manor Apartment Hotel corporation.[3][4] Originally, the building had 320 units but following renovations and room combinations, there are now 219 units. As of 2014, units cost between $50,000 and $70,000. While not a condo, residents purchase leases that they can later sell, and the building includes a parking garage, a library, dining space, and a 4-acre garden.[3]
There are a total of 23 floors and the building follows a modernist style of architecture.[5] The Elmwood Tower stands on a hill 210 feet (64 m) above the Missouri river. By elevation, this places the Elmwood Tower as the second tallest building in Omaha by elevation at 1,233 feet (376 m).[6][3]
While commonly believed to be 320 feet (98 m), the exact height of the building has been subject to misreporting. When the building was first constructed, the Omaha World-Herald reported that the building was 242 feet (74 m). Estimates by Emporis.com formerly listed the main roof height at 234 feet (71 m) and an architectural height of 256 feet (78 m). The Lincoln Journal Star previously proposed that the total number of 320 units was mistaken for the total height. Assuming the 256 feet (78 m) estimate is correct, this would have briefly made the Elmwood Tower the tallest building in Omaha until the WoodmanLife Tower was built in 1969. This also places the Elmwood Tower as the 8th tallest building in Omaha.[2][6]
History
In 1960, the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Nebraska began looking for sites to construct a new high-rise apartment. Initially, the Masons wanted to establish the building at 40th and Cuming street in downtown Omaha, on the same site at the Samuel Mercer mansion and near the St. Cecilia Cathedral. The Mercer family and the Freemasons were unable to come to an agreement and a new site was selected at 52nd and Leavenworth streets.[6] The 4½-acre lot was purchased from W.B. Millard Jr. for $225,000.[6] Prior to the Elmwood Tower's construction, the former home of William R. McKeen (known as the McKeen-Rees-Millard home) stood on the lot.[7]
The Elmwood Tower was financed by a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage totaling $4.9 million. This mortgage was backed by the Philadelphia teachers pension fund and was the largest mortgage ever approved by the FHA in the Midwest.[3] John Latenser & Sons designed the building and Rorick Construction served as the architect. Approximately, $6 million worth of steel and concrete were used in construction.[6]
On November 20, 1962, Freemason grand secretary Carl Greisen reported that construction of the Elmwood Tower was 28 days ahead of schedule.[7] The Shriner Legion of Honor visited the site on May 17, 1963. During this visit, the group was part of the topping ceremony to place the last steel girder; this beam was decorated with a United States Flag that previously had flown atop the United States Capital building. In June 1963, the cornerstone was laid by Ralph M. Carhart, Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska.[7][3] Construction on the Elmwood tower ended in 1964, where it was originally referred to as the Masonic Manor.[6]
Following completion, Norman Warwick, leader of a Masonic auxiliary group, was the first resident.[7] Residency was initially limited to Masons and their widows over the age of 62. In 1968, the building was financially bailed out by residents after running into financial difficulties, and, in response, residency was expanded to those who were 50 years old and to non-Masons.[3] On August 28, 1970, an incident involving a lit cigarette led to a fire on the fifth floor of the tower. Three residents lost their lives and over 120 firefighters responded to the fire.[3]
In the early 2000s, a sprinkler system was installed. In 2009, the building was renamed from the Masonic Manor to the Elmwood Tower.[3] In 2023, another fire broke out at the Elmwood tower, resulting in $20,000 worth in damages but no injuries.[8]
Notable Tenants
- Thelma Sutcliffe, formerly the oldest living person in the United States.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Emporis building ID 129526". Emporis. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
- ^ a b writer, Cindy Gonzalez World-Herald staff (2019-02-09). "Two downtown staples will soon reach a little higher as plans to extend roofs near". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on 2023-10-23. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kelly, Michael (2014-06-23). "Kelly: Elmwood Tower still stands tall on city's skyline". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ "Peck v. Masonic Manor Apartment Hotel". Justia Law. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Emporis building ID 129526". Emporis. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f World-Herald, Stu Pospisil Omaha (2022-04-26). "Tall tales of Omahans living the high-rise life in Masonic Manor". JournalStar.com. Archived from the original on 2022-05-21. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
- ^ a b c d "Archived photos: Masonic Manor". Omaha World-Herald. 2014-06-19. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ Comer, Jacob (2023-06-10). "Fire at Omaha senior living apartments causes $20,000 in damage". wowt.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Writer, Alia Conley World-Herald Staff (2022-01-20). "Omaha woman who was oldest living person in U.S. has died at 115". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2023-10-14.