How Omaha's Blackstone District has Changed Through the Years
The Blackstone District in Omaha holds much of the city's history it is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Omaha. Recently there has been a modern revitalization of this area making it even more intriguing and integral to Omaha. It is a place of many local businesses, historic hotels, and some of the best dining in Omaha.
In the past decade, this district has seen a large number of developmental changes as part of the urban core strategic plan put into place by the Omaha Chamber. The city also has plans for a street car running directly through the district to bring more traffic to the area. As more people come it is likely that even more businesses will set up shop in the Blackstone District.
The history of Omaha's Blackstone District
Many places claimed to be the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich but for those who live in Omaha, we know that it originated here and Blackstone is the very spot where it happened. This is not the only interesting history that the district holds. It was also where Richard Nixon announced his presidential campaign and where the Kennedys celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. The Blackstone District got its start in the 1880s as families migrated here and constructed large brick homes and what was at the time considered to be West Omaha.
Many of those irreplaceable historic early 20th-century homes are still standing in the Blackstone District today. The home of Charles E Mets is one of these as well as the Gottlieb residence and the Charles T McLaughlin building. Tucked in between these historic amazing buildings are some of the best restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in the city.
Places of interest in today's Blackstone District
The Blackstone District has seen a lot of growth and it is currently home to over 15 restaurants, 18 bars and clubs, the Jocelyn castle, daily karaoke hosted at Renos, several local shops and studios focused on all ages and styles, hand-painted murals, Oktoberfest, and Noli's Pizzeria arguably Omahas most amazing spot to grab a slice. The Blackstone corner shopping center is also located here it was completed just last year in 2021.
Continuing plans for Omaha's Blackstone District over the next year
The local government of Omaha has plans to revitalize many areas of the city and their hope behind doing so with downtown districts is a desire to prepare the city for new growth in the coming decades. The rich history and culture of Omaha have attracted over 1 million residents to relocate to the area. Many developers have pushed past Omaha's urban historic neighborhoods for suburban areas surrounding the city and to the west.
The local government of Omaha wants to return some of this increased interest in moving into Omaha into the urban centers of the city. Part of this focus on the urban core committee is to create 30,000 new jobs in downtown Omaha and attract new residents to walkable neighborhoods in the city.
Some updates have already been made including the redevelopment of Farnham and 38th creating a nice story building for commercial and residential use. This building will have a focus on a park once strategy where you can leave your car and walk around Blackstone enjoying everything that the area has to offer within walking distance of Blackstone east. And the corner of Harney and 40th has plans to become the new home of Birch Beer Garden's second location. The new restaurant will be 3500 ft.² with an additional 4000 ft.² of outdoor beer garden space and 3000 ft.² of event space. This restaurant also has plans for a rooftop portion to enjoy a beer while taking in the Farnam Street sites in the city skyline.
At Blackstone Square on 38th and Farnam updates have just been completed as a mixed-use development. Blackstone Plaza at 36th and Farnam was completed in April 2022 it is a 15-story high-rise building that replaces the Kiewit Plaza. The plaza is home to businesses, a wellness center, a barbershop, WOWT Channel 6 headquarters, and the Cloud Room.
There are more projects in the works for Blackstone including more restaurants a new administration building for the UNMC and Nebraska Medicine and a new apartment complex called The View. These new mixed-use developments will be nestled right along the oldest and most beautiful homes in Omaha.
For more information on real estate in Omaha including finding a home in the up-and-coming Blackstone District please contact us anytime.
