The Barker Building was built in 1929 by sons of Omaha minister Joseph Barker, who sought to honor their father by naming the seven-story office building after him. Located in the heart of downtown Omaha at 15th and Farnam, the striking building is considered to be an example of the Neo-Gothic Revival style. Although it's been on the National Register of Historic Places for a while, the Barker Building sat vacant for more than a decade until it was recently renovated into apartments by Dicon Corp. and Shamrock Development.
The 48 apartments in the Barker Building were constructed with spacious, open floor plans and modern amenities. Both one- and two-bedroom units are available, ranging from 750 to 1189 square feet. Many of these apartment homes offer beautiful views of downtown Omaha. The apartments also have hardwood flooring (the developer was able to salvage about 60 percent of the original flooring) as well as convenient washer and dryer hookups.
Residents also enjoy a private fitness center, storage lockers and bike storage, a security system with controlled access, 24-hour on-call security, and dry cleaning delivery service. In addition, the ground floor of the Barker Building is home to Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe and the Alegent Creighton Clinic & Pharmacy.
The Barker Building is just one of several successful historic renovations that have been completed in Omaha recently. Both young professionals and empty-nesters enjoy living in the heart of the city. The Barker Building's 15th and Farnam location makes it pedestrian-friendly. Residents can easily walk to the Orpheum Theater or the First National Tower, as well as a large variety of shops and restaurants.
With over 40,000 people currently working in downtown Omaha, the area is only going to get more vibrant and exciting. There's one historic commercial bay left for rent in the Barker Building. It's the site of a shoe store that closed in 1992. Architect Nate Gieselman calles it one of the best spaces in the entire building, since it retains most of the original fixtures and shelving. With Omaha's economy picking up pace, it probably won't stay vacant for long!
Those that love the urban lifestyle should take a look at some of the properties available in Omana's urban core. Whether you decide to rent, or buy, there's something for everyone.
