OKLAHOMA CITY | Projects & Construction

[Peerson]

Nice shot of downtown - taken from above Wheeler Park



original: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D8ZTp6UXYAAiEyy.jpg:large
source: https://twitter.com/RicardoUlloa91

[Peerson]

1206 Exchange Avenue

A 14 acre tract of land downtown is being sold for development by Newmark Grubb Levy Strange Beffort.






This is just south of the Farmer's Market and northwest of Wheeler Park.

highlights from the listing:

• I-40 frontage
• 800' frontage along Exchange Ave.
• Site being readied for development
• Utilities to site
• Access to Western Ave., SW 3rd St. & Exchange Ave.

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1206...y-OK/16107258/


That's a good sized parcel for downtown.
Will be very interesting to see what is developed on this tract.

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/levystrangebeffort

[Peerson]

6501 N. Classen

A four story mixed-use building has been proposed for 6501 N. Classen Bvld.
This will be office and retail.
40,000 sf

Location:



For many years there was a building complex on site that was the home of the local Knights of Columbus.
Chesapeake Energy bought the property in 2006, but never developed it.
In 2017 it was sold again.

The new owners scraped the lot a few month ago -- presumably in preparation for the new development.
They are pre-leasing.

brochure: http://commercialoklahoma.com/wp-con...6501_Flyer.pdf


Renderings:






from Google streetview:



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45154

[Peerson]

The Collective OKC

This is the food hall collective going in at NW 10th and Harvey.
It's getting very close to being finished.


Originally an auto transmission shop, long closed down:


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=41862&page=1


By March, the renovation was really taking shape:


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=41862&page=5


Recent photos:

North of 10th Street -- Bleu Garten (a food truck park) to the right


source: Andrew Penney Photography


Closeup on a sunny day


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=41862&page=5


Aerial shot -- site is nearly complete


https://www.instagram.com/thecollectiveokc


This is expected to open sometime in July.

[Peerson]

Roundup - some recent photos of the downtown construction area.


Scissortail Park:

Playground equipment (children's area)


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24502&page=93

Water fountain / splashpad (children's area)


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24502&page=93


Mayor Holt inspects the park progress









https://twitter.com/davidfholt


Convention Center:


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=26179&page=185


Omni Hotel:


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=35905&page=83

[Peerson]

Strawberry Fields

Strawberry Fields is the name of a proposed mixed-use district in downtown OKC.
It is VERY ambitious.

It would occupy a 50 acre tract immediately to the west of Scissortail Park.

Map of proposed district:




Plans for the district consist of a high density area filled with residential, office, and retail.
Here's a rendering:



https://www.strawberryfieldsok.com/s...e-Web-2tm2.pdf

Of course, this a long term vision.
It would take decades to fill in the area like that, assuming that it happens, at which time it would certainly have a different actual appearance.
In other words, it's great dream material.

Is Strawberry Fields just a dream then?
Difficult to say at this point.
I felt somewhat similarly about the Wheeler District proposals when I first encountered them back in 2013, 2014.
But that district is becoming a reality, so big dreams don't necessarily correspond to vaporware.

The district is the brainchild of local developer Pat Salame.
She doesn't have experience with large development projects, which sounds odd.
However, she has managed to bring onboard some qualified people from GSB Architects and G.E. Johnson Construction.

more info here: https://oklahoman.com/article/558371...city-boulevard

Her group has been buying up properties in the area for several years now.
They have acquired 278 lots - about 75 percent of the properties in the proposed district.



The yellow boxes indicate properties that are owned by Strawberry Fields, LLC.

Note that they own only a few properties in the area immediately adjacent to Scissortail Park.
This is some of the most desirable downtown property right now.


They have recently announced an initiative to kick off the district with three different specific projects.
Each project has a selected name:

• Orndale 28
• Lucy
• Marketplace.

Orndale 28







https://www.strawberryfieldsok.com/s...Orndale-28.pdf



Lucy





https://www.strawberryfieldsok.com/s...s-The-Lucy.pdf



Marketplace









https://www.strawberryfieldsok.com/s...arketplace.pdf


These three developments are all still at the "seeking investors" stage.


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=41983&page=9

website: https://www.strawberryfieldsok.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/SFoklahoma

[Peerson]

OKC Lake Hefner Goats

I feel the desire to introduce this post with a tag from Monty Python:

"And now, for something completely different..."



The Oklahoma City Utility Department acquired several dozen goats in 2014 to handle lawn mowing duties at Lake Hefner.
And they've been going strong ever since.






from an Edmond Outlook article:

This odd menagerie is living proof that animals outperform machines when it comes to safely mowing the grass along the steep slopes of the canal. Why? Maintenance workers were putting themselves at risk for injury when they drove the heavy mowing equipment along the lake’s canal slopes.

“The grass was high, you could hardly see, and the bank was eroding into the canal,” explained Dr. Steve Hart, who works at Langston University’s American Institute for Goat Research. “Goats can handle steep places like that just fine.”

Goats are also environmentally friendly and they reduce gas emissions and the need for weed killer and chemical fertilizers. Goats excel at eating and fertilizing! “Each goat takes his own path, eating as he goes,” Hart said. “This helps revegetate the land, because their hooves are spreading seeds with every step.”

. . .

“The timing was finally right when the city faced the purchase of a $300,000 mowing machine,” Hart said. “Someone remembered the goat idea—and goats are a lot cheaper.” Since the first five months of the project, the city has spent about $2,500 a month, with much of that applied to the initial cost of building shelters for the animals.

https://www.edmondoutlook.com/archiv...of-lake-hefner


Goats are fearless climbers, easily able to access sloped areas that would pose a danger to human employees.










The city initially bought 19 goats.
There are now about 61 in the herd -- happily munching away at the Lake Hefner greenery.






https://twitter.com/cityofokc

[Peerson]

Heartland HQ building

The official topping out ceremony was carried out today:


https://twitter.com/buildwithlingo


The cantilevered extension for the east facing conference room has been set into place:


https://twitter.com/buildwithlingo


This is how it appears in the rendering:


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44171&page=5

[Peerson]

19 & 23 NE 6th

A pair of warehouses are to be converted into a restaurant, office space, and rooftop bar.

This is in the west end of Automobile Alley, immediately adjacent to the Central Exchange development.


Location:



(note: this an older photo as the Heartland HQ steel frame is now topped out at 7 stories)


The front entrance will be accessed along 6th Street.
The property extends north to 7th Street where a back patio and parking lot will be located.


Renderings:

front side (along 6th)



The west warehouse (19) will hold a large restaurant, the operator of which has not yet been named.
A 2nd level with indoor/outdoor space will be added above which will provide views of downtown.

The east warehouse (23) will hold office space for lease.
This 7000 sf structure will be thoroughly renovated with tall ceilings and an industrial look inside.


back side (accessed from 7th)





A google streetview shot of the front side from February:




This project is being led by Oklahoma City developer Basil Rayan.
Rayan spoke to OKCTalk about the restaurant plans:

“The concept is a modern American restaurant with contemporary renditions of classic dishes that will offer unique dining options. The atmosphere has been inspired by many restaurants from around the world, and will boast an open kitchen, private and communal dining areas, outdoor patio seating, and the focal point, a rooftop patio with an exquisite view of downtown.”

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44562


Edit:

Here's a photo from spring showing construction progress:




The west warehouse (19) is only a shell.
The steel frame for the 2nd level has been started.


original: http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/c...nge030919a.jpg
source: https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43990&page=2

[Peerson]

1 NE 7th

Three adjacent one-story warehouses on 7th Street are set for renovation.
Together, this provides 12,140 sf of space.



The interiors are to be modernized and a large outdoor patio placed in common between them.
An alley-side loading area is available.

Renderings:





https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1-NE...ty-OK/15346733


These warehouses are located immediately north of the Central Exchange and 19 & 23 NE 6th developments.
The Metropolitan Apartments are just a few yards down the road.

This whole area of Automobile Alley, east of the railroad, has been catching fire lately with a slew of renovations.

Location:



Each warehouse unit is being leased as a suite.
Therefore, 3 tenants are possible.



All suites have industrial features, raw brick walls and high ceilings with the opportunity to add storefront windows and doors as needed.
No tenants have been announced so far.


Current building:

Exterior








Interior









https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1-NE...ty-OK/15346733

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44951

[Peerson]

2 NW 6th



This property is available for lease.
Being that it is right next to the railroad tracks makes it a bit of a challenge.


Location:



The building is just north of a large parking garage.
It's slightly east of the Heartland HQ (under construction) and the TownePlace Suites Hotel (not started yet).
Central Exchange is just across the tracks, to the northeast.

In order to help motivate possible tenants, the property owners have created several renderings for the structure to show possible uses.

Version 1:







Version 2:






The second version includes several apartment levels on top.

Trying to develop residential units right next to an active railroad line is difficult.
Most people don't want to deal with the noise and vibration.

But it is doable.
In fact, the large building directly across the tracks from this property (and south of Central Exchange) is a private residence.


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44534

[Peerson]

Foraker 9th Street Project





Local developer Jeremy Foraker has purchased several adjacent warehouse along NE 9th Street for renovation.
This will be a mixed-use development including office space, restaurants, and residential units.

His company is pre-leasing spaces at the site.
No tenants have been announced, though Foraker appears to already have certain ideas about businesses to catch.


Location:


original: http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foraker021719aa.jpg
source: https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44891

This image (modified slightly from the original OKCTalk graphic) shows how active this area of Automobile Alley is at the moment.


Renderings:







https://www.commonworks.archi/selected-projects


comments from the loopnet listing:

We are currently pre-leasing this mix-use development.

This property will undergo a full renovation including exterior and interior improvements.

This property will be occupied by a variety of tenants including a brewery, bakery, restaurants, office, and apartments. Contact us for further details.

listing: https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2-NE...ty-OK/15516720
brochure: https://images1.loopnet.com/d2/yd31T...ument.pdf?dl=1


Foraker has previously developed the Pueblo at Paseo -- a fantastic project in the Paseo District.
(see the link for more info about that work... it's awesome)

Judging by the marketing materials, they are expecting to start taking tenants later this summer.

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44891

[Peerson]

Andrew Penney managed to grab some great photos downtown last night.


Stars & Stripes River Festival - 2019


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...19102/sizes/h/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...73182/sizes/h/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...75392/sizes/h/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...43146/sizes/h/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...89481/sizes/l/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...33326/sizes/l/



Sunset arrives


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...69652/sizes/h/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...88031/sizes/h/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/182843...67922/sizes/h/


All photos © Andrew Penney Photography

[Peerson]

The Forum at Lincoln Plaza

Lincoln Plaza was a grand construction of the late 1960's.


https://okcmod.com/architecture/enda.../lincoln-plaza

Completed in 1969, it quickly became the place to stay for visiting dignitaries and the local elite.

Located on Lincoln Blvd, not far from the State Capitol complex, the plaza contains three large structures:

• a 3-story building on the south end (somewhat separate from the others)
• a rounded 6-story hotel (with a swimming pool)
• a large office building with several open courtyards (set at an angle next to the hotel)

Lincoln Plaza had its heyday in the 1970's, but has fallen into disuse and disrepair over time.







http://www.abandonedok.com/lincoln-plaza/


Graffiti, broken windows, overgrown vegetation, and seedy activity have plagued the site in recent years.
This article from the Oklahoman chronicles the decline:

Former Lincoln Plaza blighted, set to be declared abandoned


Richard Tanenbaum purchased the south building and the rounded hotel in 2011.
In 2013, the south building had a complete gut renovation.


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=27007&page=6

It's now home to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

In 2016, Tanenbaum purchased the office building as well.
This brought all the plaza properties together under one ownership.
His group, Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings (GTH), promised to renovate the site.

Tanenbaum is a long time OKC developer with many successful projects under his belt.
The two most notable are likely The Montgomery and The Classen -- quality renovations of older buildings into residential property.

He is once again promising a revamp for Lincoln Plaza, which is now being called The Forum.
This is to be 113 luxury apartments created in the rounded hotel building.
Apparently the office building will be used to hold amenities for residents, in addition to office space.

Here is how the GTH website describes it:

The Forum at Lincoln Plaza is a multifamily real estate project in the heart of Oklahoma City and within a few miles of the city’s central Business District, Innovation District and OU Medical Campus.
The Forum is expected to begin leasing in late 2020.

https://gthokc.com/work/multi-family/the-forum/

Renderings:


















https://gthokc.com/work/multi-family/the-forum/


A local news station, KFOR, had a story late last year about the planned renovation:
https://kfor.com/2018/12/04/historic...-for-facelift/

Hopefully this comes to pass.

[Peerson]

New aerial shot of the OU Medical Center Patient Tower construction:


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43375&page=2


This is the goal:

[Peerson]

I came across an instagram page for the Wheeler District homes that had a bunch of great pics.
Thought I'd share a few.

These range in dates from spring time to just a couple of week ago.





















https://www.instagram.com/wheelerhomeokc


One more great shot, from twitter.



original: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D44cf0xWkAA8kSD.jpg:large
source: https://twitter.com/rjpirrong


This was taken back in spring on a misty evening.

[Peerson]

The Benz Building

A former Mercedes Benz dealership at 1225 N. Broadway is being renovated and re-adapted as a mixed use building.
This will be mostly office space with some retail, and a possible restaurant on the ground floor.
60,979 sf

Hogan Taylor, an accounting firm, will be the anchor tenant.
This company also has offices in Tulsa, Fayetteville, and Little Rock.

This is how it looked when still in operation as a dealership:




The location is just west of the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts building, currently in construction.
A streetcar stop is directly across the street.


Renderings:







https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1225...ty-OK/15081379


A few construction photos:

4-24-2019




6-16-2019



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44519


The listing for this property specifies availability in early February 2020.
So that's likely the target date for completion.

[Peerson]

Renovation of the Classen Inn Motel has begun:



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44111&page=2

[Peerson]

Scissortail Park is scheduled to open Friday September 27th, followed by a weekend of events.
A free concert by Kings of Leon will kick off the celebrations.

It's been a long road.
Here's a look at the park area from the fall of 2017:


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24502&page=67


Here's an aerial shot from yesterday.


source: https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24502&page=94


Though it has progressed far, there are still a ton of details to wrap up.
The red circled area shows a good chunk of work in the southern portion of the park yet to be complete.

A closer look at that portion:


https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24502&page=93


They still have to build a children's water fountain and playground area.
There's also a roller rink and the concessions for the lake.
And a few other details.



http://www.hargreaves.com/work/scissortail-park






https://www.instagram.com/scissortailpark






http://butzerarchitects.com/oklahoma-city-maps-3-park


It's not going to be easy -- it's just 12 weeks until September 27.
Reportedly, they have full crews working on this every day, including Sunday.

I suspect that the park won't really be finished by opening day.

[Peerson]

Left Frame Lofts - view from the 4th floor - facing towards the arena / hotel / convention center


https://deskgram.net/explore/tags/LEFTFRAMELOFTS

I think they might want to take care of that dangling piece of board, there.
Otherwise, a great view.