PAPILLION, NEB. — DLC, in joint venture with a fund managed by DRA Advisors, has acquired Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion. The transaction marks DLC’s entry into the metro Omaha market. The shopping center totals 640,328 square feet and is 90 percent leased to tenants such as JC Penney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Burlington, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, PetSmart, Ross Dress for Less and Ulta. A Hy-Vee grocery store shadow anchors the property.
By Kevin Stratman, Investors Realty The Omaha industrial market is essentially at full occupancy. Since 2016, the approximately 115 million-square-foot industrial market in Omaha has grown by an average of 3 to 4 million square feet per year. Yet, for a number of reasons, vacancy has consistently hovered around 3 percent. Activity to start 2026 has created a real problem. In just the first quarter of the year, the market transacted over 1.3 million square feet across six properties. As a result, an already constrained vacancy rate is now approaching a critical point. The roots of this issue trace back to 2024. That year, only four speculative construction projects over 100,000 square feet broke ground. For years, Omaha has faced ongoing sewer infrastructure challenges that have limited development in key areas. At the same time, construction costs approached peak levels, and land prices escalated rapidly. This was driven in part by major build-to-suit activity from users such as FedEx and Amazon, as well as large-scale data center developments from Meta and Google, which collectively absorbed thousands of acres of land. Given these conditions, developers made a logical decision to pause after what had been a historic run of construction. That …
By Mandi Backhaus-Barr, The Lerner Company As they say, when one door closes, another one opens, and the same is true in commercial real estate. In 2025, the Omaha market experienced a plethora of activity, from store closures to quick backfills, and numerous new developments either announced, commenced or completed. Omaha’s market continues to demonstrate strong momentum, showing little sign of slowing down. This strength was reinforced when the metro-area population recently surpassed the 1 million mark, a milestone that appears to carry more weight with retailers than slightly lower population figures. As a result, the market has responded positively, with year-over-year asking rents increasing by 5.4 percent. Despite rapid growth and development across the city, Omaha’s core market fundamentals remain solid. From a retail standpoint, we are seeing retailers continue to test new formats and refine their store footprints, while a recent wave of international brands has begun entering the U.S. market, signaling a new level of global interest and underscoring the growing appeal of well-positioned retail environments. Additionally, the consumer is still spending, just differently. Beauty, footwear and apparel are categories with strong momentum. The trend of mid-tier retailers being squeezed into an increasingly polarized market, where value-focused …
By Leirion Gaylor Baird, Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska All roads lead to Lincoln. Located midway between Chicago and Denver, our capital city has long served as a crossroads for touring legends, local artists and fans who pack historic music venues night after night. Our live music scene has grown organically in bars, theaters and alleyways, becoming a defining part of our civic DNA. Now, Lincoln is intentionally amplifying this authentic strength and sound. Through the creation of the Boehmer Street music district, the City of Lincoln, in partnership with the Downtown Lincoln Association and with support from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, is investing in assets that define our unique cultural landscape. This effort advances a longstanding plan to designate a music district as a downtown catalyst. Our vision is to convert underutilized downtown space into active, mixed-use momentum that grows economic opportunity, strengthens quality of life and brings renewed vitality to our urban core. Anchor culture, community The Boehmer Street music district links three major geographic anchors — the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus, the State Capitol and our iconic main street — to form a walkable corridor. Longstanding, thriving music venues, including the Zoo Bar, The Bourbon Theatre, …
LINCOLN, NEB. — Lument has provided a $21.2 million HUD/FHA Section 232/223(f) Express Lane loan for the refinancing of Pemberly Place Senior Living, a seniors housing community in Lincoln with 120 units and a licensed capacity for 132. Quintin Harris and Patrick Roan of Lument originated the financing, which features a fixed interest rate and 35-year term. The refinance pays off existing bank debt from a construction loan originated by Lument several years ago. Lument also helped structure a shareholder note to reimburse the borrower for previous capital expenditures. Built in 2017, Pemberly Place Senior Living features assisted living, independent living and memory care options. Locally owned and operated, the community has a partnership with MJ Senior Living, a Nebraska-based management company.
PAPILLION, NEB. — Opus has broken ground on Highway 370 Logistics, a 168,486-square-foot speculative industrial development located near the intersection of I-80 and Highway 370 in Papillion within metro Omaha. The 12-acre site is adjacent to an Amazon distribution hub. The project will feature a clear height of 32 feet, 10 dock doors, two drive-in doors, 115 vehicle parking stalls and 31 trailer parking stalls. Opus is the developer and design-builder, Raker Rhodes Engineering is the structural engineer and SVPA Architects is the architect. David Maenner and Sam Andres of CBRE are marketing the project for lease.
PAPILLION, NEB. — Cavan Cos. has closed on the land for the development of The Bungalows at Prairie Hills, a 154-unit build-to-rent community in Papillion. The project marks the company’s third development in metro Omaha. Horizontal construction is expected to begin in May. One-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans will range from 683 to 1,389 square feet. The development will feature 104 detached garages, a clubhouse, fitness center and other shared amenities.
LINCOLN, NEB. — CBL Properties has acquired Gateway Mall in Lincoln for $43.5 million from Washington Prime Group. CBL financed the acquisition with a $21 million loan provided by Symetra Life Insurance Co. The five-year loan features a fixed interest rate of 6.46 percent. The property totals roughly 843,000 square feet. Anchor tenants include Dillard’s, JC Penney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Round 1, H&M, Ulta, Ross Dress for Less, Sierra, Tesla and Total Wine & More. In a separate transaction, CBL has entered into a contract for the sale of an open-air center at an approximately 8 percent capitalization rate. The transaction is expected to generate net proceeds after debt repayment of $25 million and is anticipated to close in April.
LINCOLN, NEB. — The Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln has begun “Building the Future,” a $35 million privately funded addition and renovation to Nebraska’s Performing Arts Center, which is located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The project will include a new entrance along Q Street as well as enhanced lobbies, a new studio theater and numerous other enhancements. Construction site preparations began in early February following the project’s approval by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Lied Center performances and programs will continue throughout construction. The project is slated for completion in fall 2027. The Lied Center opened in 1990 and was created with support from the Lied Foundation Trust. The center serves over 200,000 people per year at performance events, conferences and conventions and through its partnership with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra as the orchestra in residence. The Lied Center’s current venue spaces are dedicated to season performances, rental events and special programs. The new studio theater, totaling 11,150 square feet, will provide space for K-12 and Husker student performances. With space for performances, workshops, arts education classes and rehearsals, the new studio theater will enable independent activities to take place even when a national touring performance …
OMAHA, NEB. — Investors Realty Inc. has arranged the sale of Brentwood Square Shopping Center in Omaha for $9 million. Brentwood Square Plaza LLC sold the 224,187-square-foot property to Brentwood I Acquisition LLC. Harbor Freight is the anchor tenant. Ember Grummons and Tim Kerrigan of Investors Realty represented the seller. The transaction also included an 89,359-square-foot land lease.
