Aquila Court Building, Omaha

The Aquila Court Building, now operating as the Magnolia Hotel, is a historic mixed-use building that reflects the commercial growth of early 20th-century Omaha. Completed in 1924, it was developed by Chicago businessmen Chester A. and Raymond C.Cook on land originally owned by their grandfather, Aquila Cook, to contain shops, professional offices, and studio apartments.

The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 28, 1974, in recognition of its architectural significance. After several changes in ownership and use, it was converted into a hotel in 1996 and has operated under the Magnolia name since 2006. Designed by the prominent Chicago architectural firm Holabird & Roche, the building follows a Renaissance Revival design modeled partly after the Bargello palace in Florence, Italy. Its U-shaped plan surrounds a central courtyard, while the exterior is faced with Bedford limestone and includes arched openings, carved ornament, and decorative stonework. Notably, the sculpted faces of Aquila and George Cook are displayed on the front of the building. The original courtyard was designed as an Italian-style garden with stone paths, pools, and abundant plantings to provide a peaceful escape from the surrounding urban environment.

The building illustrates an early approach to combining retail, office, and residential functions around a landscaped internal court. Its conversion into a boutique hotel required major interior renovations, but the signature U-shaped plan, courtyard arrangement, limestone exterior, and decorative features remain preserved. It continues operating.