Penthouse Elegance

Downtown condo offers sky-high views and luxury details

7-page photo portfolio by Kessler Photography

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For more details about the penthouse, contact Deb Cizek at 402-445-6025 or visit penthouse805.com.

With dramatic views and luxury touches, this downtown penthouse rivals its counterparts in Chicago or even New York City. Located in the Beebe and Runyan building at 9th and Douglas, the 805 Penthouse surprises with an executive-style space that blends contemporary sophistication with the building’s historic features.

“It isn’t the kind of condo that we expect to see downtown,” said realtor Deb Cizek of the Cizek Group. “It’s a level above what’s expected.”

The condo owner worked with interior designer Lisa Cooper, Allied Member ASID with Interiors Joan and Associates, to rework the original floor plan and create a standout space. The top floor of the historic building had great views, but the original plan called for view-obstructing walls and partitions. Cooper’s assignment was to nix the walls, but still create functional and distinct living and working spaces.

The request required Cooper to work creatively. In a condo, square footage is finite and space allocation is key. “You have to maximize that precision of square footage,” she said.

The main kitchen and dining area offers functionality for day-to-day living, but also doubles as a space for a corporate conference or social gathering. A linear fireplace serves as the focal point for the space while cleverly disguising a mechanical shaft. The cladded fireplace is surrounded by hand-laid quartzite tiles in earthy tones that play off the condo’s polished concrete floors.

The high-functioning kitchen incorporates high-end appliances, an espresso bar, media center and titanium granite countertops, while the large island and barstool seating area provide ample space to host a cocktail event. Behind-the-scenes storage amps up the functionality of the space. The eight-person custom dining table doubles as a conference table, offering views of the Missouri riverfront.

With its media components and interactive TV, the great room can serve as a relaxing space for socializing or an alternative space for business presentations.

In the master suite, Cooper utilized walnut sliding doors to allow the space to be open as needed and private when desired.

To create the dual office and guest room, Cooper used elevated wood floors to delineate the space and also mask rerouted plumbing. A built-in murphy bed can be pulled down to create a second sleeping quarter with its own guest bathroom.

Unique touches pervade the Beebe and Runyan building. The former furniture warehouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and celebrated its centennial in 2013, said Kristae Zandbergen, secretary of the building’s homeowner association. The building features all-natural finishing materials, recycled flooring, exposed brick in all units and energy-efficient green lighting in common areas. A six-story atrium pierces the building and offers abundant natural light. Throughout the year, residents come together for social events such as kicking off the College World Series on the rooftop deck.

Realtor Cizek said interest in downtown living is picking up as the housing market continues to recover. Young professionals and empty nesters are attracted to condos for their maintenance-free living and proximity to some of Omaha’s best attraction. At the Beebe and Runyan building, residents are in a prime location. “You’re steps away from CenturyLink, but also steps from the restaurants and activities downtown,” Cizek said.

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