{{Short description|Office skyscraper in Omaha, Nebraska}} {{Good article}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox building | name = WoodmenLife Tower | image = WoodmenLife Tower Viewed from 13th and Harney (edited).jpg | alt = Ground view of the WoodmenLife Tower (center). Image features a white 30-story skyscraper with other buildings in the foreground. | image_size = 200px | caption = WoodmenLife Tower in 2025 | completion_date = 1969 | location = 1700 Farnam Street<br> Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | coordinates = {{coord|41.2580|-95.9393|region:US-NE|display=inline,title}} | roof = {{convert|478|ft|m|abbr=on}} | antenna_spire = | floor_count = 30 | status = Completed | floor_area = | architect = Leo A Daly | main_contractor = Kiewit Corporation | public_transit = {{Bus icon}} Metro Transit | references = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/129572 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307024656/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/129572 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |title=Emporis building ID 129572 |url-status=usurped |work=Emporis}}</ref> | highest_region = Nebraska | highest_prev = Nebraska State Capitol Building | highest_start = 1969 | highest_end = 2002 | highest_next = First National Bank Tower | construction_start_date = 1966 | architectural_style = International Style | owner = Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society }}
The '''WoodmenLife Tower''' (formerly the '''Woodmen Tower''' or '''Woodmen of the World Tower''') is an office skyscraper in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska, United States, and headquarters of WoodmenLife. Construction of the building began in 1966 and was completed in the spring of 1969. At its completion, the {{Convert|478|ft|m|adj=on}}, 30-story tower was the tallest building in the state of Nebraska, overtaking the Nebraska State Capitol. It would hold this record for over thirty years until 2002, when it was overtaken by First National Bank Tower.
WoodmenLife Tower was praised upon completion for its role in revitalizing downtown Omaha. The exterior features an LED display that lights up the building for holidays and special events, including the “WoodmenLife” sign at the tower’s top, installed in 2020 after the tower’s renaming as part of a company rebranding effort. Since 1988, the tower has been part of the Nebraska Peregrine Falcon Project, where peregrine falcons breed and nest on the building's 28th floor.
== Description == The WoodmenLife Tower is a {{convert|478|ft|m|adj=on}}, 30-story international-style skyscraper located at 1700 Farnam Street in Downtown Omaha. Designed by the architectural firm Leo A Daly and constructed by Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc., the tower serves as the headquarters for Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society, who do business simply as WoodmenLife.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kaarre |first=Jourdyn |date=June 6, 2014 |title=Woodmen Tower, Dedicated in 1969, Aided the Rebirth of Downtown Omaha |url=https://omaha.com/money/woodmen-tower-dedicated-in-1969-aided-the-rebirth-of-downtown-omaha/article_d49ae496-f312-50b7-86ce-4eee4791ecbb.html |access-date=August 25, 2023 |website=Omaha World-Herald |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825050651/https://omaha.com/money/woodmen-tower-dedicated-in-1969-aided-the-rebirth-of-downtown-omaha/article_d49ae496-f312-50b7-86ce-4eee4791ecbb.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Emporis building ID 129572 |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/129572 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307024656/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/129572 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |url-status=usurped |work=Emporis }}</ref> Throughout its lifetime, the building has had a sprinkler system, floodlights, a car wash, and additional parking infrastructure installed.<ref name=":2" />
The building features a dual-roof design; the main roof stands at {{convert|456|ft|m}} above ground, while a secondary roof marks the building's peak of {{convert|478|ft|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Building |url=https://www.skydb.net/building/ |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=SKYDB |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607121541/https://www.skydb.net/building/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=1045|title = Woodmen Tower|date = |accessdate = August 24, 2014|website = SkyscraperPage.com|publisher = |last = |first = |archive-date = August 26, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121058/http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=1045|url-status = live}}</ref> During construction, the tower used {{convert|16000|yd3}} of concrete and {{convert|16|e6lb|e6kg|abbr=none}} of steel. The total floor area is {{convert|533,281|sqft|m2|0}}; WoodmenLife occupies the majority of the office space, while other tenants include U.S. Bank and various law firms, alongside other commercial and non-profit entities.
Initial construction costs upon completion of the building were approximately $20 million, the building was valued at $40 million by Douglas County in 2014.<ref name=":2" /> In 2020, as part of a corporate rebranding, the "Woodmen" signage at the top of the tower was replaced with new "WoodmenLife" lettering to reflect the company's rebranding.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Jordon |first=Steve |date=June 3, 2015 |title=Woodmen adopts new name, new image |url=https://omaha.com/money/woodmen-adopts-new-name-new-image/article_39fa8779-d1ba-52f8-94de-34e872f2c904.html |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=Omaha World-Herald |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030422/https://omaha.com/money/woodmen-adopts-new-name-new-image/article_39fa8779-d1ba-52f8-94de-34e872f2c904.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=June 10, 2020 |title=Name atop Omaha's Woodmen Tower to Change This Summer |url=https://omaha.com/news/local/name-atop-omahas-woodmen-tower-to-change-this-summer/article_d2d5ec91-02a7-57c6-8b92-13d40d1f83a3.html |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=Omaha World-Herald |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030417/https://omaha.com/news/local/name-atop-omahas-woodmen-tower-to-change-this-summer/article_d2d5ec91-02a7-57c6-8b92-13d40d1f83a3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> These LED-backlit letters are visible from up to {{convert|78|mi}} away by aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newbill |first=Taleisha |date=June 18, 2020 |title=The WoodmenLife Tower is Changing the Iconic Lettering |url=https://fox42kptm.com/news/local/the-woodmenlife-tower-is-changing-the-iconic-lettering |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=KPTM |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030422/https://fox42kptm.com/news/local/the-woodmenlife-tower-is-changing-the-iconic-lettering |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2020 |title=Woodmen Tower Adding Lighted Display |url=https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/woodmen-tower-adding-lighted-display |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=KMTV 3 News Now Omaha |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030416/https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/woodmen-tower-adding-lighted-display |url-status=live }}</ref>
==History== thumb|left|alt=A postcard showcasing the Woodmen Tower circa 1970. The "Woodmen" lettering is not present in this postcard.|Woodmen Tower, {{circa}} 1970. In the 1960s, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society announced plans to construct a new headquarters. After discussions with a consulting firm, it was decided to keep their headquarters in downtown Omaha at the same address.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Coffey |first=Kevin |date=June 8, 2019 |title=Happy 50th, Woodmen Tower! Here Are Four Things You Should Know about the Iconic Omaha Building |url=https://omaha.com/news/metro/happy-50th-woodmen-tower-here-are-four-things-you-should-know-about-the-iconic-omaha/article_aa08191e-aa9c-5fd1-9d0e-bed5cce8ad1e.html |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=Omaha World-Herald |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030422/https://omaha.com/news/metro/happy-50th-woodmen-tower-here-are-four-things-you-should-know-about-the-iconic-omaha/article_aa08191e-aa9c-5fd1-9d0e-bed5cce8ad1e.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This involved demolishing and replacing the Edward Rosewater's Bee Building, which had been owned by Woodmen of the World since 1932 and served as their previous headquarters.<ref name="Even660222">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-world-herald-building-thrived-af/132707426/|date=February 22, 1966|page=8 |first=Fred |last=Thomas |title=Building Thrived after Bee's Death |newspaper=Evening World-Herald |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023030911/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-world-herald-building-thrived-af/132707426/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Tue --> The plot of land the WoodmenLife Tower occupies was previously taken up by several other buildings in Omaha's downtown, including the Old City Hall building.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{cite AV media |title=About Schmidt |date=May 22, 2002 |type=Feature film |people=Payne, Alexander }}</ref> Following the land acquisition, Omaha National Bank (now a branch of U.S. Bank) signed as the first major tenant.<ref name=":2" />
Construction on the Woodmen Tower began on May 23, 1966. The original design of the build was only 20 to 22 stories with a total cost of $20 million. These plans were modified during construction. Initially, the height was increased to 28 stories, then later increased again to 29 stories. Following flooding issues in the bottom two levels of the underground parking garage, the 29th floor was split into two floors, making the total count 30.<ref name=":2" />
In November 1967, the building was topped during a ceremony attended by then Omaha mayor Alexander V. Sorensen. On April 4, 1969, the Woodmen Tower was officially completed and opened; dedication of the building occurred on June 6, 1966.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" /> This made it the tallest building in the state of Nebraska.<ref name=":2" /> The tower surpassed the Nebraska State Capitol as the tallest building in Nebraska, which previously held the title since 1930. The Woodmen Tower remained the tallest skyscraper in both Omaha and Nebraska for over 30 years, until construction of the First National Bank Tower in 2002.<ref name=":0" />
Following the official opening, the restaurant Top of the World was opened on the 28th floor. Although this restaurant was successful, it eventually closed November 1, 1984 to make way for office space.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://omahalibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16747coll8/id/66/ | title=Dinner menu }}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Network |first=Nebraska Radio |date=February 21, 2014 |title=Last Caniglia restaurant to close |url=https://www.kmaland.com/news/last-caniglia-restaurant-to-close/article_16dc8ce4-9af8-11e3-8bc0-0017a43b2370.html |access-date=December 8, 2023 |website=KMAland.com |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208011411/https://www.kmaland.com/news/last-caniglia-restaurant-to-close/article_16dc8ce4-9af8-11e3-8bc0-0017a43b2370.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1990, in celebration of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society's 100th anniversary, time capsules earmarked for 2040 were placed in the lobby floor.<ref name=":2" /> In 2002, the Woodmen Tower was featured prominently in Alexander Payne's film ''About Schmidt'', where the titular character Warren Schmidt (played by Jack Nicholson) was employed at the building.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Later that year, completion of the First National Bank Tower took away Woodmen Tower's status as the tallest building in the state, leaving it in second place to this day.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />
In 2014, in celebration of the tower's 45th anniversary, the building was renovated with LED lighting, putting on a light show as part of the celebration.<ref name=":2" /> The LED installation involved over 14,000 bulbs across all 4 sides of the building. Since then, the building has been lit up for holidays, the College World Series, Alzheimer's awareness,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Ethan |date=November 7, 2019 |title=WoodmenLife Tower Raise Awareness, Support Alzheimer's Foundation of America |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/woodmenlife-tower-raise-awareness-support-alzheimers-foundation-of-america/29727216 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=KETV |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030423/https://www.ketv.com/article/woodmenlife-tower-raise-awareness-support-alzheimers-foundation-of-america/29727216 |url-status=live }}</ref> and other special events.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2020 |title=What it takes to light up WoodmenLife Tower |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/what-it-takes-to-light-up-woodmenlife-tower/31199652 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=KETV |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030426/https://www.ketv.com/article/what-it-takes-to-light-up-woodmenlife-tower/31199652 |url-status=live }}</ref> This same year, the Woodmen of the World became involved in a minor controversy when it requested that the Woodmen Tower be exempt from some property taxes.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Earl |first=David |date=March 29, 2014 |title=Woodmen Building: A Tax Free Tower? |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/woodmen-building-a-tax-free-tower/7645450 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=KETV |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030427/https://www.ketv.com/article/woodmen-building-a-tax-free-tower/7645450 |url-status=live }}</ref> Woodmen of the World threatened to move headquarters if this exemption was not provided, citing this exemption as guaranteed under the Nebraska State Constitution to fraternal organizations.<ref name=":8" /> This sparked a larger debate by the Douglas County Board over whether Woodmen of the World should be classified as a charity or a profitable business. In 2015, this issue was resolved when Legislative Bill 414 was passed, granting the tax exemption (an estimated 73% decrease in total taxes<ref name=":8" />) to the Woodmen Tower.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 9, 2015 |title=Tax break for Woodmen Tower advances |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/tax-break-for-woodmen-tower-advances/7651928 |access-date=December 8, 2023 |website=KETV |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208011410/https://www.ketv.com/article/tax-break-for-woodmen-tower-advances/7651928 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nebraska Legislature – Legislative Document |url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=24677 |access-date=December 8, 2023 |website=nebraskalegislature.gov |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208011410/https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=24677 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2020, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society rebranded to WoodmenLife Insurance Company. Initially, it was believed that the Woodmen lettering on top of the building was to remain, but it was later announced by the company that the letters were to be replaced with WoodmenLife. The total project cost millions of dollars and saw another new LED system installed, this time centered around the WoodmenLife letters so that they light up during the night.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=June 10, 2020 |title=Woodmen Tower to undergo name change in phases |url=https://www.wowt.com/content/news/Woodmen-Tower-to-undergo-name-change-in-phases--571163841.html |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=WOWT.com |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030422/https://www.wowt.com/content/news/Woodmen-Tower-to-undergo-name-change-in-phases--571163841.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Peregrine falcon project == In response to the falling populations of the peregrine falcon in the 1950s, the Nebraska Peregrine Falcon Project (NPFP) began breeding falcons in captivity and releasing them.<ref name=":1">{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=History of The WoodmenLife Falcons |url=https://www.woodmenlife.org/falcons/woodmenlife-falcon-history/ |publisher=Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society |date=March 19, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113005340/https://www.woodmenlife.org/falcons/woodmenlife-falcon-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2023 |title=Charese Yanney: Intriguing Facts about the Peregrine Falcon |url=https://siouxcityjournal.com/opinion/columnists/charese-yanney-intriguing-facts-about-the-peregrine-falcon/article_40e70d2e-061a-11ee-8701-cb38bf1ecb41.html |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=Sioux City Journal |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824041937/https://siouxcityjournal.com/opinion/columnists/charese-yanney-intriguing-facts-about-the-peregrine-falcon/article_40e70d2e-061a-11ee-8701-cb38bf1ecb41.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1988, the NPFP, led by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Fontenelle Forest's Raptor Recovery program, first released seven falcons from the top of Woodmen Tower. This was followed by another release in 1989, during which two falcons later returned to the Woodmen Tower to nest on the 28th floor. In 1992, one of these released falcons returned to Woodmen Tower where it mated and laid three eggs that later hatched. This marked the first peregrine falcons hatched in Nebraska in almost a century. {{As of|2014|post=,}} approximately 70 falcons have been hatched from the WoodmenLife Tower.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
Falcons continue to nest on the building, and WoodmenLife Tower maintains a live webcam of the nests on their official website.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=March 26, 2020 |title=Peregrine falcons lay first egg of spring at Woodmen tower |url=https://www.wowt.com/content/news/Peregrine-falcons-lay-first-egg-of-spring-at-WoodmenLife-Tower-569136211.html |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=WOWT.com |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824041936/https://www.wowt.com/content/news/Peregrine-falcons-lay-first-egg-of-spring-at-WoodmenLife-Tower-569136211.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Reception == During construction, Omaha mayor Alexander V. Sorensen described the Woodmen Tower as the “most magnificent building between Chicago and Denver”. During the topping ceremony, Sorensen stated "If ever there was a symbol of faith in Omaha's future, this is it.” According to the Douglas County Historical Society and the ''Omaha World-Herald'', the Woodmen Tower played a significant role in the revitalization of Omaha's downtown district.<ref name=":2" /> The Woodmen and WoodmenLife lettering on the building's roof is considered 'iconic' to Omaha's skyline.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=KPTM |first=Taleisha Newbill |date=June 18, 2020 |title=The WoodmenLife Tower is changing the iconic lettering |url=https://fox42kptm.com/news/local/the-woodmenlife-tower-is-changing-the-iconic-lettering |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=KPTM |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826030422/https://fox42kptm.com/news/local/the-woodmenlife-tower-is-changing-the-iconic-lettering |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Insider'' has listed the WoodmenLife Tower as the ugliest building in the state of Nebraska.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olito |first=Frank |title=The ugliest skyscraper in every state |url=https://www.insider.com/ugliest-skyscraper-every-state-2019-7 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=Insider |archive-date=September 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904030423/https://www.insider.com/ugliest-skyscraper-every-state-2019-7 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery widths="175" heights="175" class="center"> File:Woodmen Tower and Omaha Skyline at Night, c. 1971-74.jpg|The tower and surrounding skyline, {{circa}} 1971. File:Brandeis Building and Woodmen Tower.jpg|Woodmen Tower rises just west of the J. L. Brandeis and Sons Store Building. File:American flag on Woodmen Tower.jpg|In September 2006, Woodmen Tower marked the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks by displaying large American flags draped from its upper floors. File:Woodmen Tower 2022.jpg|The tower in October 2022 </gallery>
==See also== *Economy of Omaha, Nebraska *List of tallest buildings in Omaha, Nebraska
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{sister project auto}} * [https://www.woodmenlife.org/falcons/woodmenlife-falcon-cam/ Falcon Live Webcam] * KETV 7's [https://www.ketv.com/article/photos-where-and-how-they-light-the-woodmen-tower/7584069 Gallery on WoodmenLife's LED system]
Category:1969 establishments in Nebraska Category:Insurance company headquarters in the United States Category:Office buildings completed in 1969 Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Omaha, Nebraska Category:Woodmen of the World buildings