The Zombie Hotel of Millard
A Hub for Southwest Omaha (1975–2010s)
The Industrial Foundation (1961 - 1988)
Constructed in 1975, the 93,413-square-foot hotel was designed to be a centerpiece of the Millard business corridor. Throughout its nearly 40-year operational history, the building wore many names, most notably the Days Hotel Carlisle, Westmont Inn & Suites, and the Omaha Hotel and Convention Center. It was once a premier destination for travelers and locals alike, boasting 140 guest rooms, a large heated indoor pool, and over 12,000 square feet of ballroom space used for everything from weddings to high-level state agency meetings. Despite a $2 million renovation attempt in 2014, the aging structure struggled to compete with the modern hotel clusters popping up further west.
Failed Renovations and Abandonment
By 2019, the hotel officially shuttered its doors. Ownership passed through several hands, including Omaha Hotel Holdings LLC, with various grand plans presented to the city. Proposals ranged from luxury hotel revitalizations to converting the massive concrete shell into affordable apartment housing. However, these projects consistently stalled due to skyrocketing construction costs and the discovery of extensive internal damage. Left unmonitored, the building became a "scrapper's paradise"; vandals systematically stripped the copper, plumbing, and electrical systems, leaving behind a hollowed-out concrete skeleton filled with graffiti and debris.
The Battle for the Wrecking Ball (2025–Present)
The property is currently at the center of a high-stakes legal battle between the city and new developers. In November 2025, the Omaha City Council unanimously approved $310,000 in Keno funds to finally demolish the structure, declaring it a public nuisance and a threat to neighborhood safety. The push for demolition was accelerated by a January 2026 fire that broke out in the abandoned rooms, requiring a massive response from the Omaha Fire Department.
However, the wrecking balls were halted at the eleventh hour. In December 2025, a judge issued a temporary restraining order after a California-based firm, Newport Capital, purchased the site at auction for $975,000. The new owners argue that the building is still structurally sound and are fighting to prevent the city from leveling the site while they secure fresh redevelopment plans. For now, 10909 M Street stands in a state of "litigated limbo"—a charred, empty shell that serves as a stark reminder of the risks of urban neglect.
So please enjoy looking through my photos. The only way I know to protect these buildings is to remind people they even exist.
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