Omaha’s historic Burlington Station has new life as a state-of-the-art broadcast studio for ABC affiliate KETV-7.

For much of its 120-year history, the Burlington Northern Railroad was the artery that powered Omaha as it developed from a remote cattle town to one of the most livable cities in America. Over time, the landmark Burlington Station changed significantly, collecting layers of history, and ultimately suffering the ravages of 40 years' vacancy. Today, thanks to a historically sensitive renovation by LEO A DALY, the stories of the city remain embedded in the building, inspiring KETV's mission to document the continuing story of Omaha.

LEO A DALY’s design for the interior architecture preserves this layered history, while adapting the building to a new use. From its period of vacancy, most of the building’s historic 1930 interior finishes were lost, revealing vestiges of its original  1898 Greek Revival design. The new design preserves and showcases these vestiges, along with what remains of the building's historic materials and patina. Stone, brick, steel, and decorative plaster finishes are repointed, patched, and protected. New elements exhibit an architecture of restraint consisting of simple materials and forms which create a calming background for the chaos of the news. A soothing color palette of white, gray, and buff is invigorated with punches of russet and blue, but the boldest colors come from the stories–via breaking news and historic materials.

The project recently received an interior architecture award of excellence from the American Institute of Architects - Central States. The Jury noted: “Here is an incredible combination of restoration/reuse and Owner commitment. We applaud the design team’s effort in telling the building’s story through design. There is a nice balance between what is touched and what is untouched. This building is a reminder of the vulnerable value they could bring to an evolving urban landscape.”