Nash Block

	Nash Block
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
	Omaha Landmark
	The Greenhouse, seen here in 2010, is located at the edge of the Gene Leahy Mall.
Location	Downtown Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Coordinates	41°15′28″N 95°55′42″W / 41.25778°N 95.92833°W
Built	1905–1907
Architect	Thomas R. Kimball
Architectural style	Renaissance Revival
NRHP reference No.	85001072
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	1985
Designated OMAL	October 17, 1978

Nash Block, historically known as the McKesson-Robbins Warehouse, is a historic building located at 902-912 Farnam Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Designed by Thomas R. Kimball and built from 1905 to 1907, the building is the last remnant of Downtown Omaha's Jobbers Canyon. It was named an Omaha Landmark in 1978, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. In 1989, the building was converted into an apartment complex known as the Greenhouse.

History

Nash Block was built for M. E. Smith and Company from 1905 to 1907 by Catharine B. Nash. The building was built at a cost of $190,000, it had eight floors and had a basement. It was designed by Thomas R. Kimball and was originally built as a warehouse. It was a part of a twin building complex, with an identical building standing directly North of the building.^[3]

During the development of Gene Leahy Mall in the mid-1970s, Nash Block, and the nearby former-Burlington Headquarters Building were salvaged from demolition.^[4] However, its twin building to the North was demolished in 1975.^[5] The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. In the late 1980s, the building was converted into apartments known as the Greenhouse, which opened in 1989.^[6]

Architecture

Nash Block was designed by Thomas R. Kimball, built under the Renaissance Revival architectural style. The building was designed by Kimball as the first factory-warehouse in Omaha with the modern fire protection elements, including brick enclosures for stairs and elevators, fireproof doors and an automatic sprinkler system.^[7] The building has eight floors and a basement.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b "National Register of Historical Places - Nebraska (NE), Douglas County". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. May 31, 2007. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Omaha Landmarks". Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
^ ^a ^b "National Register of Historic Places Inventory–Nomination Form". National Parks Service. April 9, 1985.
^ by, Written (June 21, 2025). "Gene Leahy Mall at The Riverfront". Omaha Exploration. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
^ Spencer, J. (2003) Building for the Ages: Omaha's Architectural Landmarks. Omaha Books. p. 111
^ "Council Extends Deadline For Mall Building Work". Omaha World-Herald. January 11, 1989. p. 33. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
^ Nash Block Archived October 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. City of Omaha Landmark Heritage Preservation Commission. Retrieved 10/06/07.