I suspect CHK gave Tuck a sweetheart deal because that space isn't leasing.

If you take out Balliet's, Cafe 501, Upper Crust and Republic (structures built specifically for them) the remainder is still half empty, even including the other restaurant.

Plus, they are planning to add more space west of Balliet's.

There's something new coming to CC called Liberte. I have no idea what it is.

There's something new coming to CC called Liberte. I have no idea what it is.

It's a women's clothing store of some sort.

The yuppie crowd equally patronizes Tucker's. It's a polished up version of a greasy onion burger shop.

Thank god when I went to Tuckers (good burgers), my baggy jeans differentiated me from the hipsters. Liked the fact that there was a half hipster/ half normal people crowd. The service was super friendly in a good way.

I don't see Tucker's in CC. To me, Tucker's is all about the old vintage Americana vibe of 23rd Street. It's somewhere I like taking my grandpa to, who lives nearby in J Park and we can just walk. I wouldn't take my grandpa to Republic or somewhere else with that level of yuppie-sheen, lest he think less of me.


What is the yuppie crowd? The opposite of the hipster crowd?

They're not hipsters in Classen Curve, they're 'Peakesters.

I know you meant that tougue-in-cheek, but that term is spot on.

$115K building permit for 3,000 square feet for Tucker's at CC.

I believe this will be in one of the empty buildings towards the southern end of the complex.

Parking is already a problem at CC. If I were an existing restauranteur I'd be mad, but I probably wouldn't have any recourse.

In what way is parking a problem? Whatever parking problems that may exist should have been apparently obvious to the perspective tenant before they signed the lease???

Parking is already a problem at CC. If I were an existing restauranteur I'd be mad, but I probably wouldn't have any recourse.

the closest restaurant to the new tuckers location is republic owned by the same people ..

Parking is already a problem at CC. If I were an existing restauranteur I'd be mad, but I probably wouldn't have any recourse.

I've been to CC about 20 times and parking has not been a problem once.

I've been to CC about 20 times and parking has not been a problem once.

Because its still only half full. Parking will be a problem when Tucker's opens and other shops open up, especially on the southern end.

I know you meant that tougue-in-cheek, but that term is spot on.

Actually, it's not tongue in cheek. It's a term I use frequently. It's weird seeing all of the dudes in shiny shirts and the post-sorority girls hanging out. I've met many kind 'Peakesters. They're shiny happy people.

Because its still only half full. Parking will be a problem when Tucker's opens and other shops open up, especially on the southern end.

I'm starting to think these "shops" will never materialize. I was driving by the new Anthropologie today and determined it to be the most masturbatory attempt at retail architecture I've ever seen. If one didn't know it was a retail store there is literally nothing to draw them into the space. Cold, pointy, repellent hack-Modernistic crapola. Classen Curve is truly one of the most abhorrent design failures I've seen.

I think Anthropologie is quite attractive. And the window designs are stunning. The new "sea life" designs are done with wax dipped coffee filters, paper and q-tips and they're pretty remarkable - well worth a visit. Classen Curve will fill up, although it is taking time. If Aubrey really wanted it full right away he could just fail to renew leases on stores in Nichols Hills Plaza. Regardless, Classen Curve is more attractive than any mall. in my opinion. However, I go to shop, not because of the architecture.

The space next to Anthroplogie is more than ready for tenants yet nothing seems to be happening there and no announcements have been made.

I know CHK has been working with the City to try and attract new national retailers but clearly that space was built on speculation and they must be continuing in their search or negotiations.

soonerguru: That is quite a descriptive post.:tiphat:

I also like Classen Curve's design, but I wish it was more compact and thus more walkable.

soonerguru: That is quite a descriptive post.:tiphat:

Soonerguru - not being offensive here, but what type of architecture do you like ?

I also like Classen Curve's design, but I wish it was more compact and thus more walkable.

I seem to recall reading that it was there intent with the design to make it "walkable", described as a modern interpretation of the old downtown shopping experience???

I also like the design, very much.

At first I did not like that the store fronts in CC turned away from Classen but now have no problems with that whatsoever. I hope that as the area continues to develop, it will seem more walkable as people cross Grand and Classen on foot.

I seem to recall reading that it was there intent with the design to make it "walkable", described as a modern interpretation of the old downtown shopping experience???

It apparently was but I bet there hasnt been one person that has walked from Balliets to the southern end and back. Squares and plazas are much better walking and shopping enviroments, not some meandering, snake of a shopping center.

And Id like to know how Anthro is doing. Anytime Im at Whole Foods I dont see many shoppers there, however that is usually later in the evening. Anyone ever notice it during the day or afternoon? Much activity at ANthro then? They are kind of on a island by themslelves right now with no other leases in the building north of them.

It apparently was but I bet there hasnt been one person that has walked from Balliets to the southern end and back. Squares and plazas are much better walking and shopping enviroments, not some meandering, snake of a shopping center.

And Id like to know how Anthro is doing. Anytime Im at Whole Foods I dont see many shoppers there, however that is usually later in the evening. Anyone ever notice it during the day or afternoon? Much activity at ANthro then? They are kind of on a island by themslelves right now with no other leases in the building north of them.

the 2 new buildings and connecting of what was 58th st to the republic side of CC will help a ton

It apparently was but I bet there hasnt been one person that has walked from Balliets to the southern end and back. Squares and plazas are much better walking and shopping enviroments, not some meandering, snake of a shopping center.

And Id like to know how Anthro is doing. Anytime Im at Whole Foods I dont see many shoppers there, however that is usually later in the evening. Anyone ever notice it during the day or afternoon? Much activity at ANthro then? They are kind of on a island by themslelves right now with no other leases in the building north of them.

I hear Anthro is doing well. I believe, "better than expected" was the phrase I was told. In the Nichols Hills area, most shoppers are out before 5, because all the other stores close at 5. So, I would expect weekends and daytime is when they're busiest. It probably would help if there were more adjacent stores, but they probably get some spillover business from Whole Foods as well.

We also know that Whole Foods is doing dynamite business, so there is good data for other national retailers considering the city and that specific area.

We also know that Whole Foods is doing dynamite business, so there is good data for other national retailers considering the city and that specific area.


Anyword on when the other stores will be opening or what they might be? I wouldn't think there could be much left on the construction part.

Is Tucker's going in next to Liberte? I drove through today and that looked like the only possibility, although it looked like little had been done. As I was driving through it I had forgotten how much is still empty. Is there not any pressure at all to fill these? I know they are trying to bring in a specific clientele, but I would have assumed after how much time they have had that it would have been filled, maybe just me.

Is Tucker's going in next to Liberte? I drove through today and that looked like the only possibility, although it looked like little had been done. As I was driving through it I had forgotten how much is still empty. Is there not any pressure at all to fill these? I know they are trying to bring in a specific clientele, but I would have assumed after how much time they have had that it would have been filled, maybe just me.

Tucker's will be in the corner space directly south of the pond near Red Coyote.

Tuck, will you be on the north corner of that building (by the pond) or the south corner (by the patio)?

North corner by the pond. Our hope is that guests will utilize that patio and the walls near the pond to enjoy an onion burger and shake.

I've heard from a very reliable source that McClendon/Chesapeake gave Whole Foods big, big incentives to open that location.

The word is that they are only paying rent as a percentage of sales over a particular threshold. Probably paid for their tenant improvements as well.

This is the new Tucker's location at CC.

You can see that back section is still largely vacant:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classencurve61412a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classencurve61412b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classencurve61412c.jpg

Holy Crap!!! Not good.

I've come to the conclusion, after thinking a lot about it in the other CHK thread, that Aubrey may just need to get another architect. I think this is failed architecture.

I may be in the minority but very much like the design of CC and surrounding development. I still think things are stagnant primarily because of continued limitations in the national economy.

Refresh my memory, but is it primarily for national chain stores are local businesses? If national, what jdcf is saying could make sense, if local, not so much. And if that is the case it is either the lack of stores that people want to visit, the design of the place which isn't inviting to those driving by and not knowing what it is or something else?

Refresh my memory, but is it primarily for national chain stores are local businesses? If national, what jdcf is saying could make sense, if local, not so much. And if that is the case it is either the lack of stores that people want to visit, the design of the place which isn't inviting to those driving by and not knowing what it is or something else?

People have claimed that it was always intended to be for local tenants, which I dont buy. When it was announced it was heralded as a new center that would attract new (to OKC), upscale retailers. Due to its bad design, it has basically had to siphon off existing tenants from nearby shopping centers and added a couple more stores along with some restaurants (that chew up all the parking no less). And to try to say its only for locals is foolish on Aubreys/chesapeakes part. You always want a good mix of strong national retailers mixed with local unique shops. If he has turned down some national tenants because he wants to keep it local then Aubrey is a bigger fool than I thought.

I think it was mentioned that hey turned down Chipotle or something similar at one point. It seems that it's almost exclusively for locals. You just have to realize that when Aubrey has a vision that reality does not matter to him anymore. He's going to try to do it anyway.

I may be in the minority but very much like the design of CC and surrounding development. I still think things are stagnant primarily because of continued limitations in the national economy.

Retail has expanded like crazy all over the metro lately.

I wanted to point out that this development was built in 2008.

It's almost four years old now and still has a lot of vacancy, despite all types of incentives from the owners, including moving over some of their own tenants from NH Plaza.

Tucker's in Classen Curve had a preview today and opens to the public on Friday:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/390487_416332685097220_628801670_n.jpg

That warehouse/industrial look isn't really my cup of tea.

But hey, the people in the pic look happy, so what do I know.

LOVE their food, both the burgers and fries.

I think it's way better than Smashburger and 5 Guys.

I may be in the minority but very much like the design of CC and surrounding development. I still think things are stagnant primarily because of continued limitations in the national economy. I too love the design and aesthetics. It is not your typical cookie cutter shopping center destination found all over OKC. Very sleek and modern!

I like the design and agree it's unique and pretty sharp. In addition, all the store build-outs are well above standard and for the most part very interesting.

It's the lack of street frontage and general layout of the center itself that is the real issue IMO.

Exciting about a new Tuckers.

I like the look of CC, but it is an odd layout. Last week I had lunch at Upper Crust, and needed to pick up something from the Shave Shop. I drove between two places in the same center, and I shouldn't have to do that.

Exciting about a new Tuckers.

I like the look of CC, but it is an odd layout. Last week I had lunch at Upper Crust, and needed to pick up something from the Shave Shop. I drove between two places in the same center, and I shouldn't have to do that.


they are at the 100% opposite ends of the same development ... you would not have walked not matter what development they were in

I have shopped in much larger developments that didn't require moving my car to visit two stores on opposite ends. Not every storefront needs parking directly in front of it. CC is too long to work as a cohesive development.

they are at the 100% opposite ends of the same development ... you would not have walked not matter what development they were in

I don't agree with this, I walk the entire Utica Square because of the layout.

I don't agree with this, I walk the entire Utica Square because of the layout.

Agreed. Bet the distance from one end of the CC to the other isn't much further than opposite ends of Penn Square Mall or the Outlet Mall (though probably a bit further). Or better yet, Congress Ave. shopping in Austin. But - because of layout everyone walks the distance of those (and back again), but I wouldn't do it at CC in most instances (simply because it seems further and there is virtually nothing to get my attention between points A and B).

I don't agree with this, I walk the entire Utica Square because of the layout.

Exactly. Squares or plaza type centers are much better for pedestrians. A long snaking strip center is not.

I like the design and agree it's unique and pretty sharp. In addition, all the store build-outs are well above standard and for the most part very interesting.

It's the lack of street frontage and general layout of the center itself that is the real issue IMO.

Agreed. Not being able to really see it from the road is a big problem. I like the general style of it though.

One of the worst is where I used to work, The Domain in Austin. I took my car in for service at the shop that was at Braker Lane & Burnet Road, a rather far walk in the Central Texas heat. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 portions have an anchor at each end (P1-Macy's, P2-Dick's) and nothing but a parking lot in between, the only sidewalk is all the way to the east along the road, I know of very few who ever walked from one phase to the other. Once you got past the P2 portion (by Dillard's) the sidewalks ended, just dirt paths to Braker Lane. There are plenty of examples of poor design in that complex, one of the accessibility advocate groups that my wife knew sued them for non-compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), the state version of the ADA that compels more compliance than the national (DoJ) version. They claimed "the economy" has hampered compliance as they haven't been able to put in the accessibility that was designed in the master plan. It really somes down to the fact they didn't want to spend the money until the area nearby was developed.

What I have seen of CC it isn't near as bad, not great but not a complete "turn your back" on walkability and connectivity like The Domain.

I came across the EOA (Elmslie Osler Architect) site, which has some nice photos and info about the new Anthropologie in OKC:
ANTHROPOLOGIE OKLAHOMA CITY / EOA / ELMSLIE OSLER ARCHITECT (http://www.eoarch.com/work/architecture/retail/anthropologie-oklahoma-city.html)

I have to admit, though, that the design is not really my cup of tea. Still, I appreciate having interesting and different building designs around the metro.

For comparison, the Tulsa store info is here:
ANTHROPOLOGIE TULSA / EOA / ELMSLIE OSLER ARCHITECT (http://www.eoarch.com/work/architecture/retail/anthropologie-tulsa.html)

(I think Tulsa actually got the better looking building)

Bizarre that that big space just west of Anthropologie is still vacant after all this time.

I also like the OKC version.

From a exterior (and male) perspective, I like the look of the OKC store. My wife prefers the layout of the Tulsa location. Tulsa's is longer, and has three levels. She thinks that layout is easier to shop.

Since I will likely never be inside of an Anthropologie store I have to ask. Are they really that barren looking on the inside? It appears that they have almost no merchandise.

Since I will likely never be inside of an Anthropologie store I have to ask. Are they really that barren looking on the inside? It appears that they have almost no merchandise.

I was in Anthropologie yesterday and it is HUGE! There is a ton of merchandise. It is definitely a girly store but there are a lot of interesting items for all us men that are dragged there.