Lincoln’s downtown core gained a new community anchor on Nov. 11 when city leaders and developers celebrated the ribbon‑cutting of MURAL, a $35 million affordable‑housing development built on the former Pershing Auditorium site at 225 S. 16th Street. The opening matters to Lincoln residents because the five‑story building adds 90 one‑ and two‑bedroom units reserved for households earning 60 % or less of the area’s median income, helping to address the city’s growing need for affordable homes.
According to KLKN, the development also honors the site’s history. Pershing Auditorium’s iconic mosaic mural, composed of more than 760,000 tiles, was preserved and relocated to Wyuka Cemetery earlier this year, and the new project takes its name from that artwork. “When this block was Pershing, people came here for the night and then went on their way,” said Drew Sova, executive vice president and general counsel of White Lotus Group, the developer. “Now, every evening, 90 households come home to MURAL.”
The building includes ground‑floor commercial space exceeding 18,000 sq ft, an underground parking garage, a fitness center, and a fifth‑floor community room with an outdoor balcony overlooking Centennial Mall. Developers are actively seeking businesses to occupy the retail spaces, a move that could further energize downtown commerce.
Veterans are a highlighted part of the community, with 11 former service members already residing in the building. Some veterans secured housing through partner organizations that provide support services, and Sova publicly thanked them, saying, “To each veteran living in this building, thank you for your service. We’re honored you’ve chosen MURAL as your home.”
Construction on MURAL began in September 2024, with major work wrapping up in December 2025 and the first residents moving in during January 2026. Sova reported that the residential portion is now more than 80 % occupied, and developers expect the building to be fully leased by the end of November.
What’s next: The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and White Lotus Group will continue marketing the remaining commercial spaces, aiming to fill them before the year’s end. Residents can look forward to a fully occupied, vibrant community that provides affordable living options while preserving a piece of Lincoln’s cultural heritage.
Sources: klkntv.com
