Last updated: September 19, 2022
Place
Leone, Florentine, and Carpathia Apartment Buildings
David Calease, NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
907-911 South 25th Street
Significance:
Ethnic Heritage (European); Exploration/Settlement; Architecture
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places; Omaha Local Landmark.
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
MANAGED BY:
Private Property Owner
The only significant concentration of Italians in Nebraska occurred in Omaha. Originating mostly from the Calabria region in southern Italy, the Italian community in Omaha surrounded a collection of three apartment buildings constructed by Italian immigrant Vincenzo P. Chiodo. A leader in Italian religious and social organizations, Chiodo constructed the Leone, Florentine, and Carpathia apartment buildings between 1909 and 1912.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a, Omaha Local Landmark, these three apartment buildings possessed features that were not seen in other apartment buildings constructed in Nebraska during this period. Their stone facades, cobble masonry, and Italian Renaissance design motifs evoke Chiodo’s native Italy. Most apartment buildings from this period, particularly in Omaha, are constructed of brick, making these buildings a unique example.
While the three buildings were listed in the National Register together in 1985, only the Florentine survives today. Recently utilizing Historic Tax Credits for its rehabilitation, the Florentine is constructed of concrete block covered in rock-faced masonry. Each half of the front façade has a recessed central entrance consisting of a simple architrave supported by smooth, square pilasters with foliated bases resting on pedestals, a small ornamental feature tops each architrave with a lunette and panel inscribed “Florentine.”
Today only the Florentine building remains, having been recently rehabilitated to continue to serve as apartments and can be viewed from the street.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a, Omaha Local Landmark, these three apartment buildings possessed features that were not seen in other apartment buildings constructed in Nebraska during this period. Their stone facades, cobble masonry, and Italian Renaissance design motifs evoke Chiodo’s native Italy. Most apartment buildings from this period, particularly in Omaha, are constructed of brick, making these buildings a unique example.
While the three buildings were listed in the National Register together in 1985, only the Florentine survives today. Recently utilizing Historic Tax Credits for its rehabilitation, the Florentine is constructed of concrete block covered in rock-faced masonry. Each half of the front façade has a recessed central entrance consisting of a simple architrave supported by smooth, square pilasters with foliated bases resting on pedestals, a small ornamental feature tops each architrave with a lunette and panel inscribed “Florentine.”
Today only the Florentine building remains, having been recently rehabilitated to continue to serve as apartments and can be viewed from the street.