The building that used to house the old piano showroom at the corner of 49th and Dodge in Omaha has gotten a facelift. The work is almost done and businesses will soon be moving in. The neighborhood is pleased with the result.

Pretty much everything inside and out has been redone, including the awnings, the windows and the brick work, to make it look just like it did when it was built in the 1920s. “All the windows are wood and they're very close to the original,” says owner Matt Dougherty. “It's original tile.”

This building, which was once the Dundee Hotel, was restored to its former glory. Dougherty has been working on the project for four years and is excited to see the results.

“I feel very fortunate that we took the exercise of going through this long process of getting this done because now that we're done, I can't tell you the number of people that I really don't even know, they come up and shake my hand and tell me thank you so much for bringing this building back.”

Ann Etienne, who owns the flower and gift shop Voila down the block, is glad to see the building restored. “They've taken that building, which was beautiful building but in a little disrepair, and they have made it into a jewel. We're thrilled. We are so excited.”

“This is the hotel, this is the corridor, so as you can see we've kept everything as close to original,” says Dougherty. “Even like the door handles are very close to what you would have seen in 1926.”

Most of the office space is already leased. “When I walk them through the building and show them what's been done, it sells itself,” says Dougherty. “I've had hardly any problem leasing this building at all.”

Dougherty will move his insurance office into the building as well. He says the building will be ready to occupy next week.