Mr. Box showed Laura and I the building this morning. He is looking for a tennant and is just doing this project to improve the neighborhood. He lives next door above his law office.

I use to love Grace Cleaners, it had that distinction of being a very good cleaners in that your garments were clean and fresh. Being a large volume 24-hr service counter, you also knew to get down there and get your items out before they had a chance to lose them. I can't help but recall the trophies the old man had on the wall, they never cleaned above 6 feet in the place--those heads of deer, bobcat, bear and armadillo frame had some 50-year old cobwebs on them which dangled like ice-cicycles draping 3 to 5 inches down. "I loved me some Grace Cleaners..."

Yeah, what happened to all the amazingly decrepit taxidermy? When Grace (slightly) reorganized the interior sometime last decade, the shelves of half-decayed stuffed critters were dusted off and rearranged... Going to visit that shabby exhibit at 4am used to be part of my personal "weird Oklahoma City" tour...

Yeah, what happened to all the amazingly decrepit taxidermy? When Grace (slightly) reorganized the interior sometime last decade, the shelves of half-decayed stuffed critters were dusted off and rearranged... Going to visit that shabby exhibit at 4am used to be part of my personal "weird Oklahoma City" tour...

Gotta Love It!

With it being a former cleaners, did the developer have to go through brownfield testing?

Bummer, we have enough surface parking. The Grace building isn't great, but it would be a nice building if remodeled and probably wouldn't take too much effort. I personally like the building. Definitely adds to the charm of that area.

Come take a look at the wonderful rehab job. The building is beautiful.

Come take a look at the wonderful rehab job. The building is beautiful.

Welcome to the forum, Detroit. Other than the TOS, there is only one rule around here - you do not tell Metro, he tell you!!!

Come take a look at the wonderful rehab job. The building is beautiful.

I'd love to, when can I come by and take photos for everyone to enjoy!

Welcome to the forum, Detroit. Other than the TOS, there is only one rule around here - you do not tell Metro, he tell you!!!

Hahahaha. Hysterical!

So I guess the sign will stay?

Hahahaha. Hysterical!

So I guess the sign will stay?

Yes, the sign is supposed to stay.

Here's a photo from today.

Still not occupied but already nicely landscaped and looks really sharp in person. Very nice little project.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/grace61412.jpg

The building is now leased to a woman who owns an interior design firm.

And here is that interior design firm, called The Studio.

This building is super sharp.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/grace102412.jpg

Pete, I'm glad you posted this, I meant to give an update on this too. This was a building that many thought was going to be destroyed and converted to a parking lot. Again another great successful re-development project, proving reuse is better than demolition.

Notice the structure of the original sign is still in place, but the Grace Cleaners part is gone.

Wonder if it will be reinstalled or repurposed somehow?

Absolutely fantastic reuse!! Very nicely done. I hope to see more of this quality of reuse throughout this particular area as there are so many opportunities in Film Row.

Is this a new company or did they relocate from another space? I have not heard of them.

IMO it looks a little run down. No loss there.
2010

What a dump !!
2010

...
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/grace102412.jpg
2012

That building looks great.

One thing I have noticed lately is very high quality landscaping being installed not only downtown but around the metro.

I think civic pride is starting to catch on with some developers (even those who don't focus on downtown) and therefore helping to improve landscaping going in around town.

Agree about the landscaping!

Not only have standards been raised, landscape architecture has come a long way since our last big round of development in the 80's. Just look at the difference between the Myriad Gardens then and now.

This is an area where there are lots more dedicated professionals and much more is know about irrigation, hardscape and what types of plants thrive and look good depending on climate and setting.

That building looks great.

One thing I have noticed lately is very high quality landscaping being installed not only downtown but around the metro.

I think civic pride is starting to catch on with some developers (even those who don't focus on downtown) and therefore helping to improve landscaping going in around town.

I think your last point is dead on. My parents live in Del City, and the last time I was there I noticed they're upgrading the streets and putting in nice landscaping. In Del City. Never thought I'd see that. People are actually showing civic pride. It's amazing.

I think your last point is dead on. My parents live in Del City, and the last time I was there I noticed they're upgrading the streets and putting in nice landscaping. In Del City. Never thought I'd see that. People are actually showing civic pride. It's amazing.

More civic pride:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644117_10151245179510862_1654667462_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151245179510862&set=a.10151245179410862.510515.146686580861)

Bethany Fresh Paint Day (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151245179410862.510515.146686580861)

We have an answer regarding the old Grace Cleaners sign.

They will be keeping the same structure and changing the sign itself:



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

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/grace61412.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/grace102412.jpg

That'll look great when it's all said and done.

I agree!

The owners of this building have done a fantastic job.

Great and creative way to repurpose the sign in a way that ties into the history while making it relevant for current tenants.