Elmwood Tower

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]

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]

• Thelma Sutcliffe, formerly the oldest living person in the United States.[9]

• Economy of Omaha, Nebraska
• List of tallest buildings in Omaha, Nebraska

• Official Website