The Grand Central was built as Omaha's premier lodging after the Herndon House became the Union Pacific Headquarters.

[1] After the Herndon House was converted to the Union Pacific Headquarters, Omaha had no large hotel.

[2] When it finally opened in 1873, advertisements claimed the Grand Central to be "the largest and best hotel between Chicago and San Francisco."

[2] In the summer of 1878, the Kitchen Brothers took over the lease and began extensive renovations, including the installation of an elevator.

[2] The Grand Central Hotel catastrophe proved to be the impetus that moved Omaha’s fire department from volunteer to professional status.