Aksarben Village
Encyclopedia
Aksarben Village is a new million sq ft mixed-use development located on the land of the old Ak-sar-ben
coliseum and horse track in Midtown Omaha
, Nebraska
. There is over 750000 sq ft (69,677.3 m²) of space for research and business office and 250000 sq ft (23,225.8 m²) of retail and entertainment space. There are over 500 housing units and a 135 room hotel. There is also a 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) park that features a 90 ft (27.4 m) tall obelisk.
turned over the land to Douglas County
in the 1990s, the county first tried to keep the horse track and colliseum open, but both failed. The land was then turned over to the Aksarben Future Trust who now owns the land. On June 26, 2005, plans were announced to turn the land into a pedestrian friendly mixed-use development combined with the south campus of University of Nebraska at Omaha
, Aksarben Campus, and the already built First Data
Campus. Construction began in 2006 and the first businesses began to open in 2008.
built two office buildings there in the mid 2000's. Other business that have opened offices include DLR Group
, Grubb & Ellis/Pacific Realty, and Olsson Associates.
Several restaurants such as Jones Bros. Cupcakes, Godfather's Pizza
and Juice Stop have opened, as well as a bank, a neighborhood grocer called Wohlner's, a hair salon, and multiple bars and lounges. Two apartment complexes have opened, Broadmoor and the Pinhook Flats, named in reference to the historic horse track which used to occupy the land. Together the apartments add over 500 housing units to the development. A 135-room Marriott Hotel opened in 2008. In December 2010, Aksarben Cinema, a 10-screen movie theater opened and shortly after an Aspen Athletic Club fitness center opened in the same complex. Mojo Steakhouse and Ales, a full-service restaurant and bar will open in late spring of 2011 in the same complex.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha
has built their south campus, Aksarben Campus at the north end of Aksarben Village. The university has added 10, three story dormitory buildings, Scott Village, which opened in 2003 and houses 480 units. The Scott Technology Center and The Peter Kiewit Institute are world class educational and research facilities that partner with UNO and are located on campus.
Within Aksarben Village, Stinson park, a multi-acre neighborhood and community park has been built named after former Knights of Aksarben chairman Kenneth E. Stinson.
Ak-Sar-Ben
Ak-Sar-Ben, or Aksarben, was an indoor arena and horse racing complex in Omaha, Nebraska. Built to fund the civic and philanthropic activities of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, the thoroughbred race track was built in 1920 and the Coliseum was built in 1929...
coliseum and horse track in Midtown Omaha
Midtown Omaha
Midtown is a geographic area of Omaha, Nebraska that is a culturally, socially and economically important area of the city. It is home to major research centers, national corporations, several historic districts, and a number of historic residences.-About:...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. There is over 750000 sq ft (69,677.3 m²) of space for research and business office and 250000 sq ft (23,225.8 m²) of retail and entertainment space. There are over 500 housing units and a 135 room hotel. There is also a 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) park that features a 90 ft (27.4 m) tall obelisk.
History
After the Knights of Ak-Sar-BenKnights of Ak-Sar-Ben
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, , is a 501 civic and philanthropic organization in Omaha, Nebraska.-History:The organization was formed in 1895 in an attempt to keep the Nebraska State Fair in Omaha after receiving an ultimatum to provide entertainment "other than saloons, gambling houses and...
turned over the land to Douglas County
Douglas County, Nebraska
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 463,585 people, 182,194 households, and 115,146 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,401 people per square mile . There were 192,672 housing units at an average density of 582 per square mile...
in the 1990s, the county first tried to keep the horse track and colliseum open, but both failed. The land was then turned over to the Aksarben Future Trust who now owns the land. On June 26, 2005, plans were announced to turn the land into a pedestrian friendly mixed-use development combined with the south campus of University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University...
, Aksarben Campus, and the already built First Data
First Data
First Data Corporation is an American payment processing company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. First Data is a provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions...
Campus. Construction began in 2006 and the first businesses began to open in 2008.
Developments
Aksarben Village is home to some of Omaha's major companies. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska is currently building a 10-story building to open in 2010 and will house their headquarters. First DataFirst Data
First Data Corporation is an American payment processing company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. First Data is a provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions...
built two office buildings there in the mid 2000's. Other business that have opened offices include DLR Group
DLR Group
DLR Group is an architectural design firm providing architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design to clients throughout the United States...
, Grubb & Ellis/Pacific Realty, and Olsson Associates.
Several restaurants such as Jones Bros. Cupcakes, Godfather's Pizza
Godfather's Pizza
Godfather's Pizza is a privately owned restaurant chain headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska that operates fast casual Italian franchises. -History:...
and Juice Stop have opened, as well as a bank, a neighborhood grocer called Wohlner's, a hair salon, and multiple bars and lounges. Two apartment complexes have opened, Broadmoor and the Pinhook Flats, named in reference to the historic horse track which used to occupy the land. Together the apartments add over 500 housing units to the development. A 135-room Marriott Hotel opened in 2008. In December 2010, Aksarben Cinema, a 10-screen movie theater opened and shortly after an Aspen Athletic Club fitness center opened in the same complex. Mojo Steakhouse and Ales, a full-service restaurant and bar will open in late spring of 2011 in the same complex.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University...
has built their south campus, Aksarben Campus at the north end of Aksarben Village. The university has added 10, three story dormitory buildings, Scott Village, which opened in 2003 and houses 480 units. The Scott Technology Center and The Peter Kiewit Institute are world class educational and research facilities that partner with UNO and are located on campus.
Within Aksarben Village, Stinson park, a multi-acre neighborhood and community park has been built named after former Knights of Aksarben chairman Kenneth E. Stinson.