Originally occupied by the New York Life Insurance Company, the building was purchased by the Kountze Brothers's Omaha National Bank in 1909.

Constructed in 1888–89, the building was designed in the Renaissance Revival style by Frederick Elmer Hill (1857–1929) of the New York City architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White.

The firm designed an identical office tower, the New York Life Building in Kansas City, Missouri, and was Omaha's first 10-story structure.

[2] Started in 1856, Omaha National Bank's original location was at 212 South 13th Street.

[5] Media related to Omaha National Bank Building at Wikimedia Commons