"I Live in The Beast"

Some people love old homes - I am one of these people. If you live in one you understand bad water pressure, noisy radiators, boilers that decide to go on strike during the coldest day of the year, leaky roofs, etc. This home has character...sooooo much character. It's the kind of character that brings walking traffic up the sidewalk just to get a closer look. When tourists get a little too close, sometimes I invite them in for a tour. Because I understand that a place like this lures curiosity seekers and any house nicknamed "The Beast" must be curious indeed.

The home was built in 1917 for Chicago trained surgeon, Albert Condon, his wife, also a physician, and their five children. It was supposedly based off the dollhouse of his favorite daughter, Corrine. It boasts almost 10,000 square feet, 25 rooms, 9 bathrooms, and a carriage house. It originally included two solariums, a wine cellar, a billiards room, a sunken gymnasium and a locker room.

Upon Albert's death in 1941, the home was converted into the multi-family structure you see today and contains six different units, most ranging in size from 1,500-2,000 square feet. Omaha Orrery occupies the west wing of the main floor with one of two original solariums, living room, library and music room. It is a marvel of construction accented throughout with brass nautical looking gadgets... steampunk before steampunk was even a "thing" and it is definitely our muse.

More on the home later (including a mysterious local urban legend) but if you're ever in Omaha on a warm summer night, wander down to Field Club and then meander up the front walk of The Beast across from the golf course. If I'm in the solarium I might just pop my head out and ask you if you want a tour.

Photo taken during a not-so-uncommon Midwest winter white-out.