Nebraska Examiner: Old Omaha steel plant reborn as Catalyst medical-centric office hub, investment reaches $97M

Nebraska Examiner:  Old Omaha steel plant reborn as Catalyst medical-centric office hub, investment reaches $97M

Sprawling complex to incubate new inventions, draw talent

By: Cindy Gonzalez - May 28, 2025 11:15 pm

Once a pair of crumbling steel plant buildings separated by an alley, Omaha’s newly opened Catalyst has been reborn as a 170,000-square-foot medical innovation hub at the heart of UNMC’s EDGE District. This $97 million public-private redevelopment—led by UNMC, GreenSlate Development, and Koelbel and Co.—preserves historic elements like exposed brick and a gantry crane while transforming the space into a vibrant coworking environment designed to spark “serendipitous collisions” among startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Now home to anchor tenants like UNeMed and UNeTech, the Catalyst aims to accelerate healthcare inventions and attract global talent. Featuring flexible workspaces, amenities, and a public-facing brewery and event venue, Catalyst sets the tone for the broader EDGE District vision, which includes the under-construction CORE Building, a city-funded parking garage, and future development all linked by skywalks and the upcoming streetcar line. The project signals a new era of collaboration and innovation for Omaha and the state.

Old Omaha steel plant reborn as Catalyst medical-centric office hub, investment reaches $97M • Nebraska Examiner