
Greg Rothermel, development director for NuStyle Development, gave me a birds-eye view of the rooftop of a repurposed office complex known as the Central Park Plaza, now renamed The Duo. More than 700 apartments are in the process of being created.
This renovation project’s construction office occupies space on an upper floor of the north tower of two buildings that once housed small businesses, federal offices, Starbucks and ConAgra.
While walking from a conference table to the plan room and beyond to future apartments, Rothermel had me wear a white hard hat. I met workers who were busy with their own craft. Each person was playing their part in the vision of a graciously appointed apartment complex designed with the needs of residents in mind, featuring one- and two-bedroom units.
Rothermel believes young professionals will be drawn to this project because of the many design amenities and proximity to major corporations such as the new Mutual of Omaha building rising across the street.
The Duo – Two Towers Slated to Become New Living Spaces
NuStyle employees are regularly asked to voice their thoughts on the needs of tenants, and ideas for materials, design amenities, finishes, and even the type of artwork to hang on the project’s walls. Property managers offer valuable insight to each repurposed building, as they become a voice for tenants.
The staff rarely turns over and currently includes human resources, accounting, maintenance workers and a contracted branding professional, along with four staff members in construction and three people on the development team.
Rothhermel said “NuStyle is more than a company name, it’s how we do business.” With a small staff of approximately 60 employees, he said, “We feel our size allows us to make quick decisions to be more effective and do these projects on time.”
Explaining further the guiding business theme of economic development, he quipped that leanness translates to strong relationships with architects, engineers and commercial builders, because NuStyle acts as the general contractor, and in fact, owns the buildings redesigns or repurposes.
The former Central Park Plaza owners contacted NuStyle to consider buying the property. As The Duo, it will house apartment residents in the south tower during 2025 and in the north in 2026.
Currently in a demolition phase in one area, The Duo will feature six floors of new-construction apartments along with a city-owned, 6-story parking garage structure.
In a public-private partnership agreement, the City of Omaha will own and manage the parking garage attached on 16th Street west of the twin towers. The firm is owned by Todd Heistand and his wife Mary. This family company, founded in 1988, seems aptly qualified to repurpose the two buildings revamped and renamed The Duo.
Future guests and residents will appreciate the cool signage, gathering spaces and high-end apartments, along with the co-located Sullivan’s steakhouse, which will stay as a tenant.
One- and two-bedroom units have been designed to accommodate both residential living and community gathering, along with apartment office space that can be used by tenants to run their own companies or work for their employers remotely.
“We get into (projects) like The Duo, we build them and we manage, and the development arm goes off and does another project,” Rothermel said.
Our thoughtful and fun, behind-the-scenes tour helped me more fully understand the impact NuStyle has had on Omaha’s historic downtown including the Old Market, nearby corporations, small businesses and arts attractions such as The Joslyn and the Durham Museum.
Tenants will be cared for while buildings are given new life, and residents will have a lovely place to call home in downtown Omaha’s continued growth and development.
What a fun naming twist, rebranding the two brick buildings that will soon showcase downtown dwellers’ lifestyle and budding friendships, instead of the connection between two office buildings.
Contact the writer, Don Rashid, at donaldjrashid1@gmail.com.