The Margaret Apartments

CLIENT: Omaha Economic Development Corporation
LOCATION: Omaha, NE
ARCHITECT: Alley Poyner Macchietto

und-Ross served as the CMR for the renovation of The Margaret Apartments into affordable green housing. The renovation of The Margaret is part of a community revitalization program developed by the Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) to create jobs, affordable housing, and other economic benefits for North Omaha residents. The historic brick building was built in 1916 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

The Margaret sat empty for several decades and was in extreme disrepair when Lund-Ross started work in 2010. Crews salvaged as many components from the original apartments as possible. A new roof and new windows were installed, and new one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments were built. Low-VOC paint and recycled-content vinyl and linoleum flooring were used throughout.

One of the most significant elements of the affordable housing project is the use of clean energy systems. A new energy-efficient geothermal heating system was installed, and solar hot water panels were added to the building’s new roof. With these clean energy systems in place, tenants are expected to save approximately 30 percent on energy costs.