Building Multi-Family Apartments Designed for Style and Comfort in Midtown Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska’s Midtown neighborhood is now home to Square Apartments, a premier multi-family development located at 30th and Leavenworth Streets. This 86,620 SF four-story community is the first project Ronco Construction has completed with Metonic Real Estate Solutions.
Ronco + Metonic: Building a Foundation of Trust During Preconstruction
Every developer approaches projects with different priorities — whether it’s cost control, construction speed, early revenue generation with phased access, or their level of involvement. That’s why it’s always our goal during preconstruction to learn what matters most to each client and tailor our process accordingly. Once we understand their priorities, we can show our capabilities and earn the trust necessary for a long-term construction partner relationship. What we learned early on with Metonic is that communication was going to be a big part of building trust.
“Ronco stands out in their communication that starts with their leadership team down to their PMs and site superintendents,” shared Kayla Beller, VP of Project Management at Metonic. “Everyone is just a phone call away and willing to jump in and help at a moment’s notice.
Once the priorities were aligned, the preconstruction and project team approached the relationship with a strong sense of purpose. It started with a comprehensive and accurate cost estimate, demonstrating our attention to detail, transparency, and commitment to quality. Along with a detailed estimate, the team provided additional resources so Metonic could clearly see how we approached costs and where we made thoughtful assumptions. But that level of detail, dedication and responsiveness isn’t unique to our relationship with Metonic — it’s something we pride ourselves on and strive to bring to every partnership.
Multi-Family Living Designed for Style, Comfort and Community
Square Apartments is raising the bar for multi-family living by combining thoughtfully crafted floor plans with premium finishes. A mix of studio, one- or two-bedroom floor plans, each are designed with functionality and style in mind. From sleek kitchens to open living spaces, these residences are ideal for anyone ready to elevate their living experience.
Beyond the individual apartments, residents can enjoy curated amenities, including a spacious fitness and yoga center, a covered outdoor gathering area, and a community lounge. These amenities make it easy to connect with neighbors, enjoy a wellness-focused lifestyle, and participate in community events.
A stand-out feature of the project is a vibrant piece of public art. The project required a 10- to 12-foot retaining wall on the south side of the building. So instead of a necessary — but blah — structural element, Metonic invested in commissioning a local artist to paint the retaining wall. The result? A creative and vibrant design that added just a touch more value to the community.
Navigating Challenges During Construction
Every project comes with its share of challenges, and this one was no exception. But, where there’s challenges, there’s the opportunity to rise above. In this case, the solutions showcased the strength of the team and the spirit of collaboration.
“Tight site conditions, heavy traffic along Leavenworth, and public concerns required constant coordination and clear communication,” explained Jim Bracker, Ronco’s project manager.
Pace of construction was also a challenge on this project. To combat that, we targeted major subcontractors like concrete and electrical to begin the buyout process early and build strong relationships with them. It also helped that our standard is to incorporate the project team into the preconstruction process so it’s a seamless transition when construction starts. Then, our preconstruction team stays actively involved throughout construction, fielding estimate-related questions and offering solutions when needed.
This project was a win on every level. It benefits the community, earned the trust of Metonic by meeting their expectations and reinforced our commitment to delivering high-quality work. Square was the first project, but certainly not the last between Metonic and Ronco.
