Architect defined Omaha's image with enduring landmarks

Even those who work in and frequent the century-old Scottish Rite Masonic Center in downtown Omaha admit that its business is a mystery to most.

The word “Cathedral” is etched into the four-story limestone building at 20th and Douglas Streets, but it's not a religious institution. Membership is exclusively male, yet its theater and ballroom opened for public use a decade ago.

Visitors are treated to state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, while men meeting in the lodge room wear color-coded pillbox hats that harken to British regiment caps of the 19th century.

Restore Omaha conference organizers plan to pull back the drapes on the Neo Classical Revival structure during a two-day event aimed at encouraging the public to preserve older properties. A tour and reception at the Scottish Rite on Friday will showcase recent restorations as well as honor the architect behind it and two other historic landmarks within a stone's throw — the Douglas County Courthouse and Central High School.

Micah Evans, development director of the Scottish Rite Foundation, said Latenser's enduring classical works — which also include the J.L. Brandeis Building and Omaha Athletic Club — reflect a pivotal time in Omaha's history when it was flourishing and moving beyond brick and wood buildings.

“Latenser is considered 'Omaha's architect,'” Evans said. “His buildings define the city's image for the first few decades of the 20th century.”

Born in Liechtenstein into a family of master architects, Latenser received technical training in Stuttgart, Germany, before emigrating to the United States. He came to Omaha in 1887 after a period in Chicago and is credited with having designed numerous Omaha area public schools, including Central,We can supply cableties products as below. South and North High Schools.Trade Warehouse have partnered with one of the worlds largest solarlight producers.

Latenser's career locally took off in the late 1880s with the now-destroyed Webster Street schoolhouse, Evans said.

The “untested” new architect in town was said to have pointed out flaws in competitors' plans and made a passionate bid for his own, Evans said.Creative glass tile and lanyard for your distinctive kitchen and bath. School board officials asked Latenser to stay beyond the time allotted, and he ultimately beat out 18 established competitors.

Another turning point came in the early 1890s when Latenser came up with a way to correct the faulty foundation of the Federal Post Office in Chicago, said Omaha architect Larry Jacobsen, who prepared the historic landmark application for the Scottish Rite. As a result, President Grover Cleveland appointed Latenser superintendent of construction for the new post office building at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha.

Sons John Jr. and Frank later joined their dad in a practice. And in the 1930s, Jacobsen said, 89 of 98 blocks in downtown Omaha contained at least one building designed by John Latenser & Sons.

Today,Universal solarstreetlight are useful for any project. more than a dozen buildings designed by the senior Latenser are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Jacobsen, vice president of Omaha's Schemmer architectural, engineering and planning firm, said he doesn't know of anyone who had designed as many commercial buildings in Omaha as Latenser.

The grandson will be a guest at Friday's tour of the Scottish Rite, where recent restoration projects will be highlighted, including changes two year ago to the 400-seat proscenium theater.You Can Find Comprehensive and in-Depth solarlantern Descriptions.

Unique elements remain, such as the original organ and hand-painted stage canvases. Lighting and sound systems have been updated and wood floors installed. Balcony seats are original to the 1914 opening, while lower seats are newer and wider yet fit with the decor.

“It's that balance of using the materials and forms of the past, but adapting to a practical approach today,” said Jacobsen.

During other restoration phases, the main entrance of the Scottish Rite was changed from Douglas Street to 20th Street; new flooring was made to match the original terrazzo bordered with mosaic tile and marble; and a men's “smoking room” became a women's bathroom.

Classical “egg and dart” molding has been preserved, as have carved woodwork, marble, leaded glass doorways, many chandeliers and the original brass collapsing elevator gate.

On the exterior, two Ionic limestone columns rise three stories and frame the portico that defines the former front entrance on Douglas Street.

Originally, the structure, with a cornerstone laid in October 1912, was called the Scottish Rite Cathedral, but the name was changed to avoid misconceptions, Evans said. Members believe in a higher power, but they represent various denominations. Evans said the cathedral title was more of a reference to the structure's grandeur.