Steelhouse Omaha | Omaha, Nebraska | 2023

Architects: Ennead Architects LLP.
Lead Architect: Stephen Chu
Design Team: Timothy Hartung, Molly McGowan, Francelle Lim, Gary Anderson, Peter Broughton, Eileen Dirks, Alfonso Gorini, Jennifer Heon, Edward Kim, Cameron Livdahl, Marcus Miller, David Monnar, Maayan Perez, Yong Roh, Trevor Hollyn Taub, Suzanne Troiano, and Charles Wolf
Associate Architects: Holland Basham Architects
General Contractor: Fisher Dachs Associates
Client: Omaha Performing Arts
Photographers: Aislinn Wiedele, Bruce Damonte, Lloyd Ranola   

As part of O-pa’s arts and entertainment campus expansion, this live music venue provides flexible entertainment spaces and programming opportunities that embrace O-pa’s mission to enrich the community and support the evolving community needs. In keeping with O-pa’s vision to create a destination that engages and inspires, Steelhouse Omaha is designed to increase accessibility and encourage exploration. Steelhouse Omaha is part of O-pa’s larger campus expansion and master plan strategy. Steelhouse Omaha provides a vibrant counter point to the existing Holland Performing Arts Center and compliments the future Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement being constructed across the street. The venue is strategically sited along a main arterial to provide a gateway to the O-pa campus and connect the city’s revitalized riverfront to growing developments in downtown Omaha. The building’s striking use of exterior steel cladding draws inspiration from the area’s industrial past while infusing it with a welcoming and forward-looking vitality that establishes Steelhouse Omaha as a home for performance and a new generation of visitors. An exterior courtyard echos the exterior courtyard at the Holland and ties to the future public plaza and exterior yard being constructed across the street at the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement. The building interior utilizes the same industrial steel aesthetic consistent with the Steelhouse Omaha brand. The iconic building design emphasizes flexibility to accommodate the differing needs of touring performers and arts organizations, as well as future users. The unique performance space will also provide local artists and organizations the opportunity to present new and innovative programs in non-traditional layouts. Featuring a flexible performance hall with occupancy of 1,500 on retractable seating to standing room for 3,000, the new venue will offer multiple amenities, including a lounge and terrace, outdoor courtyard, and lobby for simultaneous use and programming.