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Omaha Athletic Club

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Coordinates: 41°15′31″N 95°56′19″W / 41.25860°N 95.93870°W / 41.25860; -95.93870
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Omaha Athletic Club
Map
General information
TypeSocial club
Address1714 Douglas Street
Town or cityOmaha, Nebraska
CountryUnited States
Coordinates41°15′31″N 95°56′19″W / 41.25860°N 95.93870°W / 41.25860; -95.93870
OpenedDecember 12, 1918
Closed1970
DemolishedFebruary 9, 1992
Technical details
MaterialBedford limestone
Design and construction
Architecture firmJohn Latenser & Sons
Main contractorSelden-Breck Construction

The Omaha Athletic Club was a social club building located at 1714 Douglas Street in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska, United States.[1] The idea of such a building in downtown Omaha originated in 1915 when a group of Omaha businessmen, including George Brandeis, met to discuss its establishment.[1]

The architect selected for the project was John Latenser & Sons.[2] The general contractor was Selden-Breck Construction, and the lead decorator was Hugh Lawson of Orchard & Wilhelm.[2] The first two floors of the ten-story Italian design building were of Bedford limestone, and the upper floors of red brick with stone trim.[3] The building boasted a main dining room and a separate grill room, lounges, a ballroom, a bowling alley, and a billiards room.[2][3][4] Furnished rooms were available for out-of-town guests, and a rooftop garden was available for weekend dances.[3] Rental space for six stores was allowed on either side of the ornate entrance.[4] The gymnasium was two stories high.[4] There was a nine-hole golf course in the basement and open air handball and squash courts on the roof.[5] The club's swimming pool was open two days a week to women and one morning a week to boys.[2] At the time of its construction, The Omaha Athletic Club was one of the tallest concrete buildings in Omaha.[6] Total cost of the building and its furnishings was $750,000.[5]

The club was opened with public tours on December 12, 1918.[2] A members-only gala was held December 14, 1918.[2] The gala had two dinner seatings, one at 6:30 pm and a late supper at 8:30 pm.[2] There were 1,500 members at the time the club opened.[2] Total membership was limited to 2000 members.[1]

Chef Rinaldo "Reno" Sibilia, of Ticino was installed as the club's chef.[1] He would stay for 49 years.[1] He created well-loved international dishes, including turkey au gratin, a member favorite.[1] Of his kitchen, Sibilia stated in a 1970 interview, "We prided ourselves on making any dish a man wanted...to members this was more like home."[1]

The club was forced to close in 1970 due to declining memberships.[1] The building was sold in 1977 with plans to redevelop, and then sold again in 1983.[3] Ultimately, the building was demolished by implosion on February 9, 1992 to make room for the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Cookbook Committee, Junior League of Omaha, Presented by the Junior League of Omaha (2006). Toast to Omaha: a cookbook (1st ed.). Omaha, NE, USA: Junior League of Omaha; Quebecor Books. ISBN 0-9788429-0-1.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Omaha Athletic Club Will Open Dec. 12". The Omaha World-Herald Newspaper, Omaha, Douglas County, NE, USA. November 17, 1918. p. 1.
  3. ^ a b c d e Jeffrey Spencer [writer and researcher], Kristine Gerber [project director] (2003). Building for the ages : Omaha's architectural landmarks (1st ed.). Omaha, Neb.: Omaha Books. p. 39. ISBN 0-9745410-1-X.
  4. ^ a b c "View of Omaha Athletic Club From Architect's Picture". The Omaha World-Herald Newspaper, Omaha, Douglas County, NE, USA. March 18, 1917. p. 40.
  5. ^ a b "$750,000 Omaha Athletic Club Starts Ten Story Building on Douglas Street". The Lincoln Star Journal Newspaper, Lincoln, Lancaster County, NE, USA. September 23, 1917.
  6. ^ "Tallest Concrete Buildings In Omaha". The Omaha World-Herald Newspaper, Omaha, Douglas County, NE, USA. November 4, 1917. p. 13.
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