Established 1880
A Legacy Restored
Honoring the past while building the future.
Honoring the past while building the future.
Omaha capitalist Ezra Millard, a former mayor of Omaha and the man for whom a western suburb was named, erected the four-story Millard Block in 1880-81. The first tenants were Tootle, Maul & Co., wholesale dry goods; Reed, Jones & Co., boots and shoes; and W. L. Parrotte & Co., hats and caps. But by the beginning of the 20th century, the busy factory of the F. P. Kirkendall Boot Company was established here. It was once the world's largest producer of riding boots, supplying them to such prestigious customers as King Gustav V of Sweden and Emperor Yoshohito of Japan, as well as working cowboys everywhere. On the night of January 28, 1905, a fire gutted the interior of the building, but left standing the sturdy walls.The interior was then rebuilt and a fifth floor added to the building, enabling the Kirkendall Boot Co. factory to stay another 50 years. In 1995, Rubin Distributing Co. left the building to make way for new, upscale apartments.
Isaac Hodgson and Sons
Mercantile Warehouse
Distinctive features preserved with meticulous care.
The exterior features intricate terra cotta ornamentation and rusticated stone bases.
Massive Douglas Fir timber beams and iconic brick arches define the interior spaces, exposed and refinished to highlight the building's industrial strength.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is a hallmark component of the Old Market historic district.
Founded in the late 19th century as a wholesale grocery district, the Old Market has transformed from a gritty industrial zone to the cultural heart of the city. The cobblestone streets, originally laid to support heavy horse-drawn wagons, remain today as a charming hallmark of the area.
In the 1960s, threatened by demolition, the district was saved by visionary local artists and preservationists who saw potential in the brick warehouses. Today, it stands as a model for historic preservation, blending art galleries, upscale dining, and residential living.
Tootle & Maul, one of the earliest dry goods dealers, began renting the east half of the building. This company, and its successor, Kilpatrick-Koch Dry Goods Company, remain here until the late 1890s.
Kirkendall-Jones Company, most notable of the building's tenants, began producing riding boots and moved to 1101 Harney St location around this time.
General Appliance Company becomes a tenant of the space.
Rubin Distributing Company moves to 1101 Harney St.
Converted to apartments, marking the first time the building is used as residential space.
Cornerstone Condos restoration project begins, balancing historic preservation with modern luxury.