Omaha Athletic Club

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 roof-top 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]