Downtown Living Tour allows Riverfront Place to open its doors
By Connie Seastedt
OMAHA – For anyone who has ever wanted to live downtown; or for those who even just like to imagine themselves near the riverfront and Old Market area, the Downtown Living Tour was the place to be Saturday, May 30 as twelve prime downtown local developments opened their doors, including Riverfront Place.
Dave and Mary Traynor of Ralston have always shared a dream of living downtown. Walking through Riverfront Tower Saturday helped make the idea even more realistic.
“We wanted to come down and check Riverfront Place out,” said Dave. “We come down to the Old Market on the weekends but this is our first time in any property.”
Added Mary, “It would be nice to live here.”
In the tower, properties 702 and 803 were available to view as well as the sales center in 502. For the townhomes, the design center in 525 was open along with property 527.
Others open Saturday included The Rows at SoMa, Beebe +Runyan luxury lofts, Dunsany Flats, The Enclave at the Brandeis, Farnam 1600, WallStreet Tower Omaha, The Paxton, Towns at Little Italy and Giovanna Rows.
With beautiful weather all day, it was hard not to be drawn in to the inviting environment of Riverfront Place, with the Pedestrian Bridge and Missouri River bustling with activity.
Carol Kontor has already made her dream a reality, having purchased a property in Riverfront Place’s upcoming Tower Two. Saturday she attended the tour to see the other condos and get ideas.
“We raised our children living at Regency and were ready to downsize,” said Kontor. “The walking community along with the view sold us on Riverfront.”
Curiosity alone brought out Leonard and Joyce Wright of Council Bluffs.
“We had looked before at the lofts in the Old Market but never Riverfront and always wanted to,” said Leonard. “I am really liking this.”
Leonard had previously taken a architectural tour downtown and was interested in the building floor plans and structures on Saturday.
“I am liking this,” he said while touring Riverfront, smiling over at his wife.
Randy Immeker of South Papillion enjoyed checking out the different decor and design aesthetics of each property, and planned to take in four or five of the different developments during the tour Saturday, starting with Riverfront Place.
“When you see that view of the bridge, it is hard not to love the place,” said Immeker. “This is just so close to all the activities.”
The view was also appreciated by Debra Smith-Howell of West Omaha, who lived in downtown St. Louis with a condo overlooking the Gateway Arch.
“I have also pondered moving to downtown Omaha and this is the perfect way to see what the offerings are,” said Smith-Howell. “The view and outside space here is just gorgeous; exactly what I am looking for and what I miss about my place in St. Louis.”
Sisters Carol Bogacz and Ginger Miller of La Vista also let Curiosity get the best of them and had them land right at Riverfront.
“We really wanted to check it out, and the tour makes it just an easy way to visit,” said Miller. “I’m impressed, I think its awesome.”
Bogacz instantly agreed, “Its just beautiful and the view is breathtaking.”
Riverfront Place even exceeded the expectations of Brandon and Michele Tamisiea of Bellevue.
“We had always thought about moving downtown…we weren’t expecting it to be quite as beautiful as this,” said Michele.
“Just the whole scenic view and the way it is set up,” added Brandon, “It is just amazing.”
