OKLAHOMA CITY | Projects & Construction

[tdawg]

OKC is such a strange place to me. A few blocks from the CBD you have a drive-thru Taco Bell and Sonic? My dad grew up in Bartlesville and I've only been to OKC once for a family reunion but other than the Devon Tower it still looks so minor league. Kinda shocked that the city has an NBA team. I'm not trying to be nasty or elitist but am just very curious what the draw is. I know that it's growing pretty fast. Is the growth driven by oil & energy? What is Oklahoma City's economy based on?

[Peerson]

Cajun Corner

New Asian fusion seafood restaurant to be constructed on 23rd street.

Brothers Rick and Nam Nguyen are following up on the success of their first location in far west OKC
with a new restaurant in the popular Uptown district.

The proposed two-story building will feature a patio along 23rd and a large rooftop deck.
There will two full bars on each floor which a large craft beer selection.

The brothers aren't new to fusion cuisine, having previously launched both Guernsey Park and Covell Park in Edmond.

Location:



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44471


This area along 23rd is becoming a hotbed of local bars and restaurants.
Right next door is Tuckers Onion Burgers and across the street is Backdoor BBQ.
Further down the street is Ponyboy, Scottie's Deli, Bunker Club, and the newly renovated Tower Theater.

There's a nice write up about these brothers and their restaurant here:

https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/o...nt?oid=3970146

“We decided we wanted to open a Cajun restaurant because it’s comfort food,” Nam Nguyen said.
“It’s not traditional Louisiana or Southern Texas-style Cajun, but Okie Cajun because we’re up in Oklahoma.”

Building permits have been granted and construction has recently started.

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44471

[Peerson]

Golden Phoenix

Golden Phoenix is one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in OKC.
Recently, they have begun work on new construction to help expand their business.

Located on Classen, close to 23rd street, the building was next door to an abandoned building that used to be the home of Pipkin camera.
It has been boarded up for years.




They have purchased that lot and are demolishing the existing building.




The new restaurant will be built on the cleared lot:




The new structure will allow the restaurant to have a much larger interior.
The existing building will be kept and re-adapted.

They already had a supermarket at the old location -- this will be expanded.
It is evidently very busy and many local restaurants shop there for supplies.
It also gives them room for event space (weddings and other functions).

Here's a more recent shot - the old building has been scraped.



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=28574

[Peerson]

Gun

Japanese pub concept to open in the Paseo



from the OKCTalk thread:

84 Hospitality Group, proprietors of Empire Slice House, Goro Ramen, Revolucion and Ponyboy, have released more information about their latest venture coming soon to the Paseo District.

The group bought the building last year and is now deep into construction on a highly visible corner in the center of the popular arts district.

The name is derived from Goro's sidekick in the cult movie classic Tampopo.

More renderings:








The pub will be located in the Paseo Arts District, which is a small but vibrant section along 28th and Walker.
This quirky neighborhood contains mostly Spanish style stucco buildings and is home to a local artist community along with various restaurants and bars.

Incidentally, even though the name is officially "Paseo Arts District", every one here just calls it "the Paseo".

Location:







https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44903
https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43517&page=2


This will evidently be OKC's first "robatayaki".
Go ahead and look up that term -- I had to as well...


Edit: Here's an updated pic of this building, from a couple of days ago (May 27, 2019):



https://www.flickr.com/photos/18284386@N02


This was taken during the Paseo Arts Festival.

[Peerson]

Heartland HQ building along Broadway has added some more steel:



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44171&page=7


The steel frame is just starting to make a presence in the skyline



https://twitter.com/DowntownOKC


Unfortunately, since it's only 7 stories, this building won't rise too much higher in the skyline than that.

[Peerson]

BancFirst to reclad entire exterior of Chase Tower

I posted back here about BancFirst's planned renovation to the Chase Tower.

Now it has come out that they are making even more extensive changes.

They decided to reclad the entire exterior in new, blue-tinted, energy efficient glass.



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=19447&page=19


Article: https://oklahoman.com/article/563251...-all-36-floors

The old glass is single pane, and makes it difficult (if not impossible) to make the building truly energy efficient. This is the reasoning behind the recladding.
There's more info about the changes in the article.


I'm a bit conflicted about this.

The building definitely needed an overhaul on its internal systems, and a refreshing of the exterior is greatly welcome. This is mostly a good deal.

But changing the architectural style of an existing tower makes me uneasy.
I'm sure that the reclad building will look sharp, and it certainly will change the views of the OKC skyline -- giving it an interesting new look.

But it's not true to the original exterior design. That concerns me a bit.

[Peerson]

Downtown Sheraton Hotel



The downtown Sheraton hotel has been renovating the interior over the past couple of years.


Recently they set about converting a grassy area on the east end into a nice outdoor patio area.
Here's how it looked before:




This was basically a dead space between the Sheraton Hotel and the adjacent Renaissance Hotel and Continental Resources buildings.
(Cox Convention Center is across the street)




The new patio area was completed last summer. Here's how it came out.









https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=29924


Very nice.

Now they are planning on repainting the exterior.



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=29924&page=2

Since I'm not a fan of the current creamy, orange-ish (whatever color you call it) scheme this building has, I'm all in favor of the change.

This was proposed in April, but has not yet started.

[Peerson]

A couple of historic art deco buildings in downtown slated for renovation

Cain's Coffee Building



This 5-story structure was built in 1918.
50,000 sf with a full basement.

It was home to the Cain's Coffee Company for a long stretch, but the building changed ownership many times.
It's been empty for a number of years now and had degenerated into a pretty bad condition.






It's now slated for a complete restoration.

from OKCTalk:

Plans call for a full renovation of the 1918 structure built in the Art Deco revival style.
The white glazed brick and cast stone will be repaired, cleaned and sealed.
The original steel windows will be restored with new insulated clear glass lights with repainted frames to be made operational.

Renderings:






Location:




That fact that OKC's new home for the Contemporary Arts is being built across the street probably helped prompt action to fix up this old structure.

Work has already commenced on this.
Here's a pic showing the huge amounts of junk and debris being cleared out:



Inital plans indicate office space for most of the building, however a fitness center could be put into the basement and possibly a restaurant on the ground floor.

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44285



Stryker Building



https://www.flickr.com/photos/402953...n/photostream/

Originally built in 1930 as the home for the Oklahoma Baptist Convention.
Located at NW 11th & Robinson, it is across the street from the historic First Baptist Church.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/402953...n/photostream/

Recently slipping into receivership, the building was purchased by local developer Richard McKown.
McKown is not sure how the space will be re-adapted, but has several ideas.

from an Oklahoman article:

While nothing is completely decided, McKnown said his initial vision includes converting the top three floors to apartments while acknowledging that is not the likely direction for the former bookstore, auditorium and lower office floors.

The bookstore, he said, “wants to be funky and special, but we don’t know what that is.”

The auditorium, he said, has large windows that make it a likely candidate for a restaurant. The sloped floor of the auditorium, he added, could make the basement ideal for a specialty theater.

You could put a 40-seat movie theater under the auditorium,” McKown said. “These are early ideas. But the building has a crazy amount of potential."

Article: https://oklahoman.com/article/562968...n-okcs-midtown

The building is right along the streetcar line that runs up 11th street with a stop located a couple of blocks to the west, by the Ambassador Hotel.
Because of the challenges involved in working out the internal re-design, this renovation likely won't start until early 2020.

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45049

[Peerson]

Some up-to-date pics on the convention center construction:













https://twitter.com/Maps3

[Nautica]

Originally Posted by tdawg

OKC is such a strange place to me. A few blocks from the CBD you have a drive-thru Taco Bell and Sonic? My dad grew up in Bartlesville and I've only been to OKC once for a family reunion but other than the Devon Tower it still looks so minor league. Kinda shocked that the city has an NBA team. I'm not trying to be nasty or elitist but am just very curious what the draw is. I know that it's growing pretty fast. Is the growth driven by oil & energy? What is Oklahoma City's economy based on?

I appreciate the fact that no OKC forumers responded to your post. They're much kinder than I am. I don't believe you have to try to be elitist-you just are. Who puts their photo and job title on a forum header? Listen, its just not right coming on to a cities forum site just to bash them. Typical of Atlanta forumers to downplay another southern city's successes. If you want to learn about the city why don't you just do a little research. But as a Creative Director in fa fa land, I'm sure you're just too busy.

[Dale]

I think OKC rocks myself. And what’s wrong with having the best skyscraper in a decade and a Taco Bell just blocks away ?

[Peerson]

Social Capital OKC is a beer garden being built on the west side of Scissortail Park

Here's a current pic of the rooftop patio construction:



Patrons will have a nice view of the park.


Additionally... today the sign goes up:



https://twitter.com/socialcapitalok

[Peerson]

First National Center



https://www.flickr.com/photos/katsrc...49446/sizes/l/

This wonderful 1931 structure is in the midst of a huge renovation.


It's actually part of a complex of several buildings, as there were multiple add-on structures appended to it.



The Center building was added in 1956. The East building, in 1974.
Both add-on buildings are to have their interiors gutted during this renovation and converted to parking.
(They have both been largely empty for years)

The section of the East building fronting Broadway, however, was to be demolished and replaced with a modern structure.



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=9355&page=89


Ordinarily, when a large multi-story structure needs to be taken down, you call in the munitions experts and have them strategically place explosives and bring the whole thing down in a matter of seconds.
But given that building was attached to, as well as close by, other structures that must not be affected, that was not an option.

So, instead, crews have been laboriously breaking down each level and removing the concrete and debris.













https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=9355&page=99
https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=9355&page=100


This has been going on for months and months....

It is nearly finished. Here's a shot from yesterday:




A new structure will be built here that will have the look of an office building.





https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=9355&page=101


The idea is to preserve the look of the urban wall along Broadway.

[patriotizzy]

Originally Posted by Nautica

I appreciate the fact that no OKC forumers responded to your post. They're much kinder than I am. I don't believe you have to try to be elitist-you just are. Who puts their photo and job title on a forum header? Listen, its just not right coming on to a cities forum site just to bash them. Typical of Atlanta forumers to downplay another southern city's successes. If you want to learn about the city why don't you just do a little research. But as a Creative Director in fa fa land, I'm sure you're just too busy.

You need to chill. Why you take an opinion so personally? Goodness me. You should refrain from visiting the forum if any negative opinion will result with you hurling insults at another forumer

[Nautica]

Originally Posted by patriotizzy

You need to chill. Why you take an opinion so personally? Goodness me. You should refrain from visiting the forum if any negative opinion will result with you hurling insults at another forumer

Oh I'm very chill. It just strikes me as wrong to come on a city site and ask a question with a slur and then try to beg off with I'm not trying to be nasty or elitist. Calling out someone, who clearly acts elitist (I've read many of his posts) isn't necessarily a slam. Now you go on and have yourself a nice day. I won't even end my post with a hurling insult (crazy avatar) like you did to me.

[Peerson]

I wasn't going to jump in on this discussion, because I don't care to get involved in online squabbles. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. But I will make some comments on what is probably the core issue.

I think you could divide most threads on this forum into 2 basic categories. Type I for development in top tier cities, and Type II for smaller cities. (You could break it down a lot more than that -- but I'm keeping it simple)

Type I development is what you see in NY, Chicago, LA. You could also add places like San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Houston, and a number of other cities (please don't be offended if I didn't mention your particular great city). It's exciting to follow this stuff because development proposals and ongoing projects are often high level -- even cutting edge. You often see the best of the best. And even more modest buildings going up in these cities are still amazing to watch because they nestle into the already dense urban fabric.

Type II development is what you get in places like Oklahoma City (I won't mention any other cities by name -- lest I rile up someone who doesn't agree with my catagorization). Even though you might occasionally get something really high level (e.g. Devon Tower in OKC), mostly its about smaller things -- infill, rehabs, and the occasional low or even (gasp) mid rise building. It more about the process of growth, rather than the individual projects. And watching a city grow and mature and become something slightly different (and hopefully better) is pretty compelling in and of itself.

Now I understand that a lot of people come to a site like this because they are interested in the Type I development. And likely spend most of their time following that kind of stuff. If they click on a thread like Oklahoma City Projects -- well... it just won't look that impressive compared to what they normally focus on. I get it.

It's different strokes for different folks. Some will be interested only in the Type I stuff. Some (such as myself) find both types interesting. But believe me, no one in OKC thinks that we're in the same league as those top tier cities. We're a small city, we know it. But that doesn't take away the fun of watching things change and grow.

One more thing. All cities, both large and small, who deal with gentrification, often end up with the kind of odd juxtapositions of shiny new stuff being built next to older, shall we say 'less-than-impressive' stuff. Downtown OKC was devastated in the 60's and 70's from urban renewal and flight to the suburbs. And the lingering effects carried on for decades after that. Not too many businesses cared to remain.

Now that the tide is turned and we're getting a lot of nice new things being developed downtown, some unusual combinations have occured, with more coming I'm sure. It's not a source of embarrassment or concern on my part. Because it's normal. All these areas in downtown will densify in time.

[Peerson]

Together Square




I was debating whether to put up a post about this project.
It's a controversial topic for Oklahoma City.
Reading about today's opening event was the deciding factor.

Located directly west of Myriad Gardens, Together Square features a basketball court branded by the Team Griffin Foundation,
a futsal soccer court branded by The Energy Assist Foundation and a large open space for general use by all.

On Sunday, June 2 at 2 p.m., representatives from each of these organizations will speak, and Mayor Holt will join in helping to kick off a family-friendly opening party
featuring basketball and futsal fun on the new courts, food trucks, music, activities for kids and a grand celebration of the unique space.

https://oklahomacitybotanicalgardens...-grand-opening

Which took place today.






Blake Griffin was involved because his charity, Team Griffin Foundation, partnered with OG&E in creating the mini-park.
As such, he made an appearance at the event.

Mayor David Holt attempts to grab a jump ball from Blake Giffin:



(I somehow doubt the fairness of the toss when brother Taylor is the one who does the hoisting )

https://twitter.com/TGFoundation_


History

This area used to be the home of the Stage Center.


https://archpaper.com/2016/01/mummers-update/



https://www.reddit.com/r/bizarrebuil...ow_demolished/

Some people loved it, some people hated it.
But it was unique and it had some renown -- including world-wide among the architecture commmunity.

It was in spare use for many years and stopped being used at all after it developed serious leaking issues in 2010.

In 2013 it was sold to Rainey Williams, a local developer whom hardly anyone, even in OKC, had ever heard of.
It was presumed he was acting as a front man for OG&E.
There were ambitious plans for redeveloping the plot as the new home of OG&E as well as additional buildings for office space and residential.

Renderings were released by Clayco that made people's jaw drop.
I'm not even going to post them here - it's too painful to look at now (I'm only half-kidding).

Stage Center was then torn down quickly. Very quickly.
But work on the new developments stalled without any movement whatsoever. Months dragged on.

They were asking for gigantic sums of assistance for the development, specifically TIF (Tax Increment Financing) monies.
But when the city balked at this, the plans quickly withered away.

So now OKC only had a big empty spot where Stage Center used to lie, and nothing happening.
Pools of water tended to gather in low lying areas after rain and stay there for days/weeks.
Some called it Lake Rainey (it had a few other eponyms as well).



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=38469&page=93

Later, the area got completely surrounded by a fence to close it off from the public.
Various plans for the lot were announced and later dropped.
Frankly, I've forgotten all the twists and turns in this melodrama.
You can read a little bit about it here: https://archpaper.com/2016/01/mummers-update/

Current

Early this year, OG&E announced that it was turning this area into a (kind of) mini downtown park.
As so what is now called Together Square was born.

Well... it's gotta be better than an empty, unused, fenced lot.

This Together Square park is not meant to be permanent.
It should only last for 3 or 4 (or 5 or whatever) years it takes before some real development is proposed for the lot.

[Dale]

Looks like the mayor’s got some ups!

[Peerson]

Spark - A new restaurant/cafe at Scissortail Park



https://www.thesocialorder.com/restaurant/spark


Scissortail Park will include a restaurant/cafe on the north end, across the street from a streetcar stop.
It was revealed a few months ago that the name will be "Spark".
Catchy.
As in "Spark in the Park".

It will be run by the Social Order Dining Collective.
This group manages several other local restaurants including the one at The Jones Assembly.
They have a really good reputation.

It will be approximately 3,000 sf and offer popular fare such as burgers, shakes, and ice cream, as well
as more healthy options like salads and wraps.

Renderings:





https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44335


Location:



https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24502&page=88


A few construction photos:



https://www.enr.com/articles/46672-i...stination-city






https://www.facebook.com/eatatspark


It should be ready to open in concert with the opening of the park itself, in late September.
The cafe will have a full liquor license.

[Peerson]

Armory

Former armory building to be re-adapted for use as a brewery, taproom, and hotel




COOP Ale Works has purchased the old Armory building on NW 23rd street.
The 72,000 sf three-story building was constructed in 1938 as a WPA project.
It served as a hub for the National Guard and the 45th Infantry Division for many years, but finally closed in 2010.

COOP will completely restore the building's exterior including new windows.
The interior will be divided up into several areas anchored by a large brewery on the ground floor.

A 60 barrel state-of-the-art brewery will take up most of the first floor.
(loading docks, cold storage, and offices take up the remainder of the ground floor).

The second floor will hold an 8,000 sf restaurant and taproom with seating for 160.
A boutique hotel with 22 rooms will occupy the west end of the 2nd and 3rd floors.
The east end of the third floor will be used as event space.


Renderings:







from a Brewbound article:

The proposal also includes five acres surrounding the armory building as well as leases for two adjacent properties.
The additional properties will provide substantial parking, opportunities for retail and downtown living, and green space.

More info here: https://www.brewbound.com/news/coop-...-street-armory


Location:




Here's the current state of the interior:






https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44096&page=2
https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44096&page=3

This will likely open sometime in 2020.