Yeah, you gotta wonder what the architect who designed the blender was thinking. That building is horrible. I can't imagine it being any better when it was brand new.

It was the 60s and the student growth had exploded in recent years. They just built what would house the most students I'm sure.

Sarkeys, Dale Hall and the Physical Sciences Center need to be redone. They are so old I believe they would have to be completely taken down. Since the campus is having classroom issues, with no new classroom buildings being built, it is nearly impossible to take any of those buildings offline.

Sarkey's was renovated pretty recently or at least most of the tower floors were and the classrooms and library were all fine when I was there, but I'm sure could use an refresh. Saying that a tower with that much space in it needs to be torn down is pretty comical.

I think Sarkey's is fine. But there's just really no fixing the exterior facade's of Dale Hall or the Blender.

It was the 60s and the student growth had exploded in recent years. They just built what would house the most students I'm sure.

Heard the bottom of it was built like a concrete bunker due to fear of riots in the 60s and to be used as a fallout shelter if necessary or something like that. Not sure if that was true but they told incoming students that on campus tours.

I think Sarkey's is fine. But there's just really no fixing the exterior facade's of Dale Hall or the Blender.

I always thought they could improve it's appearance by staining the concrete on the corners and the upper and lower horizontal concrete sections of the tower a brick like red color. Something could also be done with the window glass to make it look better. That would at least make it blend better with the rest of campus. They would have to get more creative with the base but I'm sure they could think of something.

New Baptist Student Union going in at a parking lot close to Adams. If you remember they tore down the old one by the president's house a few years back and it is a now a park and parking lot.

location: https://i.imgur.com/v1Uc5mx.jpg

New Baptist Student Union going in at a parking lot close to Adams. If you remember they tore down the old one by the president's house a few years back and it is a now a park and parking lot.


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not sure why the picture shows up so small. click on it to make it bigger.

Wow - that is ugly and I don't really like the location they've got.

Cross Village

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cross010818.jpg

That is a neat looking project, but there are a couple of things that are odd to me about it after driving by:
1. It's set really far back from Jenkins St.
2. The garage is in an odd place.

Everything south of Lindsey sits very far back from Jenkins.

I suspect there is a road easement at play, especially since Jenkins is only 2 lanes.

Everything south of Lindsey sits very far back from Jenkins.

I suspect there is a road easement at play, especially since Jenkins is only 2 lanes.

Ah, that makes perfect sense. Thanks for the picture, Pete!

Wow - that is ugly and I don't really like the location they've got.

Good to see parking lot infill around the dorms though. I imagine we'll continue to see more redevelopment of the area south of Lindsey and east of Chautauqua north of the Greek houses. I'm hoping the next area to be transformed is around Campus Corner.

Good to see parking lot infill around the dorms though. I imagine we'll continue to see more redevelopment of the area south of Lindsey and east of Chautauqua north of the Greek houses. I'm hoping the next area to be transformed is around Campus Corner.

Very true, BG. I love seeing parking lots disappear. I also hope they start transforming Campus Corner. I did see that the Skinny Slims looks like it’s getting close and there was another new business next to it.

Very true, BG. I love seeing parking lots disappear. I also hope they start transforming Campus Corner. I did see that the Skinny Slims looks like it’s getting close and there was another new business next to it.

Opolis Clothing is next to Skinny Slims. I stopped there on a gameday in the fall and the Opolis store wasn't very built out. I'm not sure whether they were just opening for gameday or if they were keeping it as is. Also, the Porch and their balcony facing Boyd should add some activity to the area.

Here's a run down of new Campus Corner businesses: http://www.oudaily.com/news/campus-corner-debuts-seven-new-businesses-this-fall/article_a097f98e-8e8b-11e7-b236-6b0499837e0d.html

Opolis Clothing is next to Skinny Slims. I stopped there on a gameday in the fall and the Opolis store wasn't very built out. I'm not sure whether they were just opening for gameday or if they were keeping it as is. Also, the Porch and their balcony facing Boyd should add some activity to the area.

Here's a run down of new Campus Corner businesses: http://www.oudaily.com/news/campus-corner-debuts-seven-new-businesses-this-fall/article_a097f98e-8e8b-11e7-b236-6b0499837e0d.html

Thanks, Dan! I couldn't remember Opolis. And I had forgotten about the Porch. Losing CVS left quite a hole. If they could lease that out and get the parking lot in front of Hurts Donuts developed, that would make a big difference. Also the project that's planned for the service station east of NY Pizza will help make a difference.

...get the parking lot in front of Hurts Donuts developed, that would make a big difference.

Agree with all you said. In particular, I've always wanted to see that parking lot developed with small pedestrian walkways in between the new building and the existing ones. A new building there could make that whole area feel so much more urban and a number of businesses too. Campus Corner is a great urban district.

My wish is for close-in condos.

My wish is for close-in condos.

Boren had said this was a priority, as the university benefits when alums stay close and there is a strong desire by many to do so. Believe there were even renderings for a large project south of the Duck Pond.

Not much has happened since, however.

I'm really impressed with the progress that the University has made just in the last 10 years, which is when I was a freshman at OU. It's amazing to see the total transformation of most areas south of Lindsey and east of Asp.....not to mention the new buildings on the South Oval and the countless renovations happening across campus.

Oh and there's also the stadium too... ;-)

I'm really impressed with the progress that the University has made just in the last 10 years, which is when I was a freshman at OU. It's amazing to see the total transformation of most areas south of Lindsey and east of Asp.....not to mention the new buildings on the South Oval and the countless renovations happening across campus.

Oh and there's also the stadium too... ;-)

OMG, what has been done since 1980!! Hoping my son chooses there next year to be the 4th generation in my family.

Over $1 billion in capital improvements in the Boren era, and it really shows.

Just about every building has been renovated and lots of completely new construction.

They have done a fantastic job with the outdoor spaces too, with great landscaping and lots of patios, water features and public art.

Over $1 billion in capital improvements in the Boren era, and it really shows.

Just about every building has been renovated and lots of completely new construction.

They have done a fantastic job with the outdoor spaces too, with great landscaping and lots of patios, water features and public art.

Don't forget Molly Shi Boren gets some credit for that. She is big advocated for the beautification of campus.

The landscaping was great long before the Borens.

The landscaping was great long before the Borens.
Not when I was in school. Landscaping was basic. Molly has really championed the improvements, which are noticeable. Credit where credit is due.

Not when I was in school. Landscaping was basic. Molly has really championed the improvements, which are noticeable. Credit where credit is due.

Damn, you must've gone there a long time ago. I was at OU in the 80s and the landscaping was the same then as it is now. The difference is the outdoor art, some of which I like, some not so much. For that I'm willing to give credit to whomever it is due.

Damn, you must've gone there a long time ago. I was at OU in the 80s and the landscaping was the same then as it is now. The difference is the outdoor art, some of which I like, some not so much. For that I'm willing to give credit to whomever it is due.

Landscaping improvements started just before I started in 1977 and throughout my 8 years (kidding) 4 years there. It has continued ever since and what was put in has matured.

I graduated in 75 but have been involved since then and attend many events every year. I also have known employees directly involved. The attention to grounds maintenance and enhancement has steadily improved except for the last few years of budget strife. And Molly has been the driver. This is true in Norman, but particularly true in OKC at the medical/dental campus.

I started attending OU in '79. I can't think of any significant improvement to the landscaping since then other than the outdoor art. I've always thought it was beautiful.

I graduated in 75 . LOL. For some reason I also thought you were in your twenties. This would put you in your 60's. Don't know why I pictured you in your twenties. I graduated in 92 and the grounds were beautiful then. Don't see much difference other than a few new art pieces here and there.

There are many the public may not be aware of if they only go the ball games. For instance, projects like the engineering plaza, fountain plaza, etc. There are small gardens all over that weren’t there before, and the maintenance much better. The flower planting on South Oval is often spectacular. It was just grass pits previously.

And, take a walk on the OKC campus...you’ll be surprised.

The board of regents has particularly recognized Molly for the beautification effort, culminating in OU being named one of the 25 most beautiful campuses since 2014. It never won those awards earlier and used to be considered less attractive than Missouri, U of Kansas, OSU and U of Texas... just in our conference.

I know many on here don’t like OU and some don’t like Boren, but no one can deny it is a really beautiful campus. Thanks Molly

Finally.

http://www.oudaily.com/sports/oklahoma-football-plans-to-renovate-north-scoreboard-on-board-of/article_42b96d34-0064-11e8-8bf5-530a3411874d.html

New physics addition.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouphysicsjan2018a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouphysicsjan2018b.jpg

Cross Village:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/crossvillage020418.jpg

I was down there yesterday. The new bio-chemistry building is coming along nicely as well.

What intersection is Cross village at? I graduated in 08 and recently took a drive through campus.... I barely recognize anything south of Lindsey street.

What intersection is Cross village at? I graduated in 08 and recently took a drive through campus.... I barely recognize anything south of Lindsey street.

It's on the site of the old Cross Center dorms, south of Lindsey on the west side of Jenkins.

Just north of Timberdell / old swim complex; southeast of the dorm towers.

The new dorms are great and such an improvement.

The new Physics building is nice and fits the campus style well, but is it just me or do a lot of these new buildings just feel too generic? They basically are meant to mimic the older buildings on campus, but lack the detail or idiosyncrasies. I’m sure that’s just modern, cost-effective architecture. Just thinking out loud...

I personally like that all of the new buildings are in the same style. I wouldn’t mind seeing some modern elements though from time to time. Devon Energy Hall did a good job with that IMO. And good to sometimes see something completely different where appropriate like the Art Museum. I wish the Architecture school would’ve taken a similar detour from the campus norm.

I love the new dorms and look forward to the day when they replace Cate Center and new dorms line Lindsey through campus. And the Huffman Center gets an overhaul. Those have to be some of the last major deficiencies along with a replacement for GL Cross for new bioscience and lab space on campus.

As long as the facilities and the faculty are improving along with the campus, I love the consistent Cherokee Gotbic style. I'm fine with consistent architecture.

The new dorms are great and such an improvement.

The new Physics building is nice and fits the campus style well, but is it just me or do a lot of these new buildings just feel too generic? They basically are meant to mimic the older buildings on campus, but lack the detail or idiosyncrasies. I’m sure that’s just modern, cost-effective architecture. Just thinking out loud...

When they are attached additions like Physics or Business, I think the goal is to blend in as much as possible.

But when they are renovating stand-alone buildings like Architecture or Education -- or are building completely new like the Devon Energy Center or the dorms -- they tend to go with a more updated look that is still in harmony with the overall campus architecture.

I absolutely loving walking all through that campus. So many beautiful buildings and interiors and scores of small pockets with outdoor seating , art and water features.

It's like they've taken the best of the campus and just keep adding and improving.

The new dorms are great and such an improvement.
Agreed! The new dorms (Headington Hall and the Residential Colleges) are incredible - by far my favorite additions to the campus.


The new Physics building is nice and fits the campus style well, but is it just me or do a lot of these new buildings just feel too generic? They basically are meant to mimic the older buildings on campus, but lack the detail or idiosyncrasies. I’m sure that’s just modern, cost-effective architecture. Just thinking out loud...
Not at all, IMO. I love the additions and the fact they blend in/mimic the older buildings as the consistent architectural theme is one of my favorite things about campus. I don't think modern ages very well so I'm glad we don't have a lot of it. I do think they missed the mark with the Gould Hall renovation (I hate the windows) and they desperately need to replace GL Cross. That place is just worn out.

Just to clarify, I was not advocating for modern. I like that all the new buildings blend. I was just thinking they're kind of generic. I think I'm really just commenting on modern architecture though. I guess they don't do gargoyles and hand made details anymore. And, don't get me wrong, I'm just being picky because I think the campus is beautiful and has been improved immensely.

From last night’s ULI Oklahoma Impact Awards: https://twitter.com/ulioklahoma/status/962136950747607042

Just to clarify, I was not advocating for modern. I like that all the new buildings blend. I was just thinking they're kind of generic. I think I'm really just commenting on modern architecture though. I guess they don't do gargoyles and hand made details anymore. And, don't get me wrong, I'm just being picky because I think the campus is beautiful and has been improved immensely.

They changed the way Gould looked in the rebuild and people got mad about that. I think they need more freedom on building. Though Dale Hall needs to gooooo

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cross021618.jpg

very nice. I love your drone shots of OU projects.

Here are a few I took earlier this week.

Note in the 3rd one that someone has finally figured out the area north of Campus Corner is perfect for in-fill housing, with a whole score of small scale projects.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou031318.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/campuscorner031318.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/normanhousing1.jpg

Great shots, love seeing that new infill between Campus Corner and downtown. Lots of room for even more density west of Asp.

Here are a few I took earlier this week.

Note in the 3rd one that someone has finally figured out the area north of Campus Corner is perfect for in-fill housing, with a whole score of small scale projects.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou031318.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/campuscorner031318.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/normanhousing1.jpg

Yeah I had always wondered why it was taking so long to happen. Even ten years ago it seemed like a no brainer.

I am never in Norman. My (small) social circle just isn't in that part of town, but went to a show the other night at Opolis. I think Norman is OKC's biggest secret. The vibe I got was very cool. I am glad to see OU continue to expand, and Norman will follow along.

Here are a few I took earlier this week.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/normanhousing1.jpg

Ended up walked this neighborhood this weekend and took these ground shots. the new development is really striking.

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I thought this view was really interesting. You can see on the left on of the original houses. in the middle is a rebuilt house only bigger. all the way on the right is the new three story construction. It really gives an odd feel to the neighborhood.

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Cross Village:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cross051418.jpg

I like the newer buildings along Lindsey better than Cross Village but overall it's a nice project, and 10x better than what was there before. Now OU just needs to overhaul the Huffman Center in between all of these nice new residential villages.

Cross Village:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cross072618.jpg

What's the driving force behind all of these projects? Is it to accomodate increasing numbers of students or is there more to it than that? I'm not talking about the athletic dorms, that's pretty self-explanatory, but all of the other buildings.

There aren’t true athletic dorms any more...has to be more than 50% regular students.

The academic colleges/dorms just built on Lindsey are different concepts integrating academic and living more closely. And the new Cross replaces the old Cross, doesn’t it. OU definitely needed better on campus options...the old dorms not consistent with new student expectations.

I'll just say that the new dorms -- from the "athletic dorms" to the academic dorms to the new Cross students dorms -- are all really beautiful and should improve the campus experience for students. Almost everything OU has built recently has been well designed and executed. The new construction represents a short and long term investment in the quality of experience for the OU community. I can't speak to any financial issues, but under Boren's presidency OU transformed into one of the more beautiful campuses in the country... And I visit a ton of college campuses.

prior to the construction of the new dorms, I don't think any general student population dorms had been built for a good 50 years. The Huffman Center is coming on 40 years before long. Many schools go beyond traditional dorms, as many kf us know them and build small apartments. A&M has a luxury apartment project going up o. a prime spot on the main campus.

I was recently at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and they were putting up high-rise luxury student apartments next to campus. I am sure there are some contexts where space is at a premium and high rise student apartments might make some sense, but it would rub me the wrong way if freshmen students were able to choose a high rise at a higher price because it would segregate students at a public university based on income. There's something really cool about everyone living in the dorms, eating in the same areas, etc. But as long as student live together their freshman year then I am not worried about what happens after that and maybe that's who would be targeted by "luxury" dorms.