Redwood Bets Big on Omaha With 269 New Single-Story Rentals

OMAHA, NE – May 20, 2026 – Amid a tightening rental market and a growing demand for more spacious living options, Ohio-based developer Redwood Living, Inc. has officially opened two new apartment home neighborhoods in the greater Omaha area. The grand openings of Redwood Omaha Wenninghoff Road and Redwood Bennington introduce a combined 269 new single-story rental units to the region, signaling a significant investment in a market hungry for housing.

The company celebrated the milestone with ribbon-cutting ceremonies attended by local leaders and project partners, marking the completion of a major phase in its regional expansion. These new communities offer a unique alternative to traditional apartment living, catering to renters who desire the privacy and amenities of a single-family home without the commitments of ownership.

“These openings reflect exciting growth for Redwood in the Omaha area,” said Taylor Haley, VP of Property Operations at Redwood. “It’s always rewarding to see a new neighborhood come to life and begin welcoming residents. We’re grateful to our partners and local communities who helped bring these neighborhoods to completion, and we’re looking forward to seeing them grow as more people move in and make them home.”

A New Style of Neighborhood

Redwood’s model diverges sharply from the typical multi-story apartment complex. The company’s signature “No One Above or Below You®” design means every apartment home is a single-story unit with a private entrance and an attached two-car garage. This design is central to the appeal of its two newest locations.

Redwood Omaha Wenninghoff Road, located at 7001 N 85th Plaza, adds 158 apartment homes to the city. Situated near Sorensen Parkway, it provides residents with proximity to Wenninghoff’s Farmer’s Market and Somerset Park. Further out, Redwood Bennington at 16925 Jardine Plaza brings 111 units to a rapidly growing suburban community near the Prairie View Lake and Recreation Area.

Both neighborhoods offer spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom floor plans ranging from 1,294 to 1,381 square feet. Standard features are designed to emulate a private home, including eat-in kitchens with large pantries, vaulted ceilings, personal patios for outdoor space, dedicated storage, and full-size washer and dryer hookups. The company’s pet-friendly policy, which accommodates up to three pets per home, further distinguishes its offerings in a competitive market.

Tapping into a Red-Hot Market

Redwood's expansion is a calculated move into one of the nation's more resilient and growing rental markets. The Omaha metropolitan area has consistently demonstrated strong fundamentals, with a multi-family vacancy rate hovering around a tight 5.6% at the end of 2024, well below the national average. This high occupancy has been fueled by rental demand that continues to outpace the delivery of new units.

This demand has also driven steady rent growth. While the average rent in Omaha, at approximately $1,322, remains more affordable than many major U.S. cities, the market has posted consistent year-over-year increases, recently climbing over 3%. This makes the region an attractive target for developers seeking stable returns and sustained demand.

Furthermore, Redwood is capitalizing on the burgeoning “built-to-rent” (BTR) trend. Omaha is already recognized as one of the top 20 metropolitan areas for BTR completions, with hundreds of new single-family rental homes recently added and more in the pipeline. This movement addresses a gap in the market for individuals and families who have been priced out of the home-buying market or prefer the flexibility of renting but require more space and privacy than a traditional apartment can offer.

Redefining the Renter Profile

The appeal of Redwood’s model extends across a diverse demographic. The combination of maintenance-free living and single-family-style amenities attracts a wide range of tenants, from empty-nesters downsizing from larger homes to young professionals and families seeking space to grow. For many, it represents a “best of both worlds” scenario: the square footage, private garage, and quiet environment of a house, paired with the convenience and financial flexibility of a lease.

The elimination of shared hallways and noisy upstairs or downstairs neighbors is a primary selling point. The attached two-car garage is another significant differentiator, offering security and storage that is a rarity in the apartment sector. These features cater to a lifestyle-oriented renter who prioritizes comfort and privacy.

This approach directly addresses a shift in consumer preferences. Post-pandemic, the demand for more personal space, dedicated home offices, and private outdoor areas has soared. By designing neighborhoods that inherently include these features, Redwood has positioned itself to meet the evolving expectations of today’s renters.

A Strategic Midwestern Expansion

The openings in Omaha and Bennington are not isolated projects but part of a broader, deliberate growth strategy for Redwood. The company has identified the Midwest as a key expansion territory, with Omaha and the Chicagoland area serving as primary geographic focuses. This move builds on the success of Redwood’s first Nebraska location, Redwood Bellevue South 25th Street, which opened in 2024 and was recognized with a CoStar Impact Award for Multifamily Development of the Year.

Company leaders have indicated that these two neighborhoods are part of a larger plan that includes a total of six Redwood communities across the Omaha area in the coming years. This long-term commitment is supported by a clear site selection strategy: acquiring 13- to 60-acre parcels in suburban areas that offer a balance of quiet, residential living with convenient access to metropolitan amenities and major highways.

This strategy allows Redwood to build entire neighborhoods from the ground up, creating a consistent community feel and achieving economies of scale. As Omaha continues its economic expansion, fueled by a robust job market and a low unemployment rate of just 2.3%, the need for diverse housing solutions will only intensify. Redwood's continued investment provides a critical piece of that puzzle, supporting the region’s growth by ensuring quality housing is available for its growing workforce.