Always funny, in a good way, watching executive type people in suits with hard hats and shovels.

What's with the old beater truck in the corner of this rendering? That's fresh compared to most renderings that are always populated with Ferrari's and whatnot

Just trying to keep in real.

Construction begins on $36 million apartments in Oklahoma City's MidTown | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/construction-begins-on-36-million-apartments-in-oklahoma-citys-midtown/article/3719901)

Whew - the NewsOK article says 25 unit apartment complex but the original entry here states 252. I thought I had completely missed something. Those would be 25 very large apartments!

Whew - the NewsOK article says 25 unit apartment complex but the original entry here states 252. I thought I had completely missed something. Those would be 25 very large apartments!

Haha, you're right. I do believe Steve needs to stick another 2 in there!

I had a similar, but opposite, mini-reaction. While waiting for the article to load, I was staring at the URL which has 'construction-begins-on-36-million-apartments' in it. 36 million apartments??? Whoa, this really is a BIG project. Oh wait... turns out to be dollars. :wink:

Whew - the NewsOK article says 25 unit apartment complex but the original entry here states 252. I thought I had completely missed something. Those would be 25 very large apartments!

Editor rewrote the lead from feature to hard lead when it was switched from a centerpiece to play story. Typo has now been fixed.

At the end of the day, this is still just an apartment complex. I don't remember a groundbreaking for LEVEL or any of the others. Maybe the city is just so relieved that something is finally going in there that they decided to throw a party.

At the end of the day, this is still just an apartment complex. I don't remember a groundbreaking for LEVEL or any of the others. Maybe the city is just so relieved that something is finally going in there that they decided to throw a party.

Yes. I have to say, seeing the designs, that as loony as I thought the Heritage Hills folk were in their opposition, I'm glad they called this out. I still think this could have been a better design overall.

Of course there is never a perfect design for anything. I doubt that there is any building ever built in OKC that some don't think it could have had a better design. The Mona Lisa could have had a bigger smile. LOL

Yes. I have to say, seeing the designs, that as loony as I thought the Heritage Hills folk were in their opposition, I'm glad they called this out. I still think this could have been a better design overall.

It's nice enough right now.

In 10/15 years, if more developments like it sprout up, it will be fairly ho-hum. Currently, the Edge, Level, and Maywood Apts. are the only developments that are similar design wise (block encompassing residential developments fronting the street). When I was in Houston recently, I noticed in and around the loop is littered with these types of residential/mixed-use 4 to 6 story developments and after awhile they all start to look the same, even if they have vastly different facades/street-level use.

But at this point, I think as long as they stick with this design that is coherent, then there's really nothing to complain about. In fact, I feel like it sets the bar at a good place so that future developers can reasonably overreach this design and put a better product out there without having to come up with exponentially more money.

It's nice enough right now.

In 10/15 years, if more developments like it sprout up, it will be fairly ho-hum. Currently, the Edge, Level, and Maywood Apts. are the only developments that are similar design wise (block encompassing residential developments fronting the street). When I was in Houston recently, I noticed in and around the loop is littered with these types of residential/mixed-use 4 to 6 story developments and after awhile they all start to look the same, even if they have vastly different facades/street-level use.

But at this point, I think as long as they stick with this design that is coherent, then there's really nothing to complain about. In fact, I feel like it sets the bar at a good place so that future developers can reasonably overreach this design and put a better product out there without having to come up with exponentially more money.

I think Houston is a great point, because I have been perplexed by this new trend of developments that take up entire blocks. You're right that Houston's Inner Loop has just been totally consumed by this exact same development pattern. Dallas, FW, KC, etc., not so much.

I also think there is a great deal of distinction between the Edge and Maywood Apartments, the latter of which is a seriously inferior design to LEVEL and especially the Edge, which is probably going to be our nicest new housing development when it finished. (nicer than LEVEL, Centennial, Legacy, Block 42, long list...) Of course I don't mean the individual unit interiors where clearly Block 42, Centennial, and Brownstones are superior to $1000/mo apartments, but this development will have the most impressive street impact of the bunch.

The bigger complexes like The Edge, Level and Maywood are nicely complimented by the various condo projects and all the great renovations by Midtown Renaissance.

If it was ONLY these bigger complexes, I'd be worried.

Truth is, we have a really nice mix and that trend seems likely to continue with all the various projects on the boards.


Maybe The Legacy was a blessing in disguise. Think about how much more people now care, and that shows in what is now being built.

Not Maywood, the KD restaurant that got high praise from OCURA, OIPA building, the Main Street garage, and so on.

I agree things are very positive right now for downtown OKC. I just can't support a blanket statement that it's all gravy, because there are some really crappy projects out there. Maywood is the one that's not as bad as I make it seem, but the other three.. and we're just talking active projects.

If the whole-block apartments vary the exterior enough having a lot of them in a row doesn't look bad. Compare the exterior of The Edge and The Hill to that of Level.

It's not all gravy, it's just generally pretty good and the trend is definitely up.

And for the few underwhelming projects you listed, I could list a couple of dozen great ones already complete and many more in the pipeline.


If nothing else, someone trying to slip through a schlocky project is going to get lots of heat and while that might not result in everything built to world-class standards, it does mean that The Legacy turns into The Edge, the KD restaurant will at least face the canal instead of a parking lot, that there is finally pressure to do something with the Rock Island Plow building, etc., etc.

What's with the old beater truck in the corner of this rendering? That's fresh compared to most renderings that are always populated with Ferrari's and whatnot

Thats a 1972 Ford, as such a tribute to the forums (how I'll interpret it).

Thats a 1972 Ford, as such a tribute to the forums (how I'll interpret it).

Haha, didn't even think of that!

It's not all gravy, it's just generally pretty good and the trend is definitely up.

And for the few underwhelming projects you listed, I could list a couple of dozen great ones already complete and many more in the pipeline.


If nothing else, someone trying to slip through a schlocky project is going to get lots of heat and while that might not result in everything built to world-class standards, it does mean that The Legacy turns into The Edge, the KD restaurant will at least face the canal instead of a parking lot, that there is finally pressure to do something with the Rock Island Plow building, etc., etc.

Well, I think the new Main Street garage will be the measuring stick for how far design standards have come. If OCURA can get someone interested in doing housing (they should, it's such a great location, the views will be penthouse-quality) then you'll be right.

The bigger complexes like The Edge, Level and Maywood are nicely complimented by the various condo projects and all the great renovations by Midtown Renaissance.

If it was ONLY these bigger complexes, I'd be worried.

Truth is, we have a really nice mix and that trend seems likely to continue with all the various projects on the boards.


Maybe The Legacy was a blessing in disguise. Think about how much more people now care, and that shows in what is now being built.

Right now, that seems safe to assume. If the Edge turns out to be a huge success (and I hope that it does), I just hope that developers maintain a pride in ingenuity and continue to come up with projects that are unique and have their own character. I think if Downtown is limited to no more than 10-12 of these types of developments (and we already have 3, with a 4th one likely in Phase II of Maywood) over the next 20ish years, then we'll continue to have a nice eclecticism Downtown. I'm sure we'll hear of at least 2 announced in the C2S and another one in Midtown at some point is probably likely during that time frame.

#5 would be the East Bricktown project, another Brooks (Edge) development.

the Main Street garage, and so on.

It's linking me to the garage south of First National Center, but I assume you're talking about the new garage by city hall?

Is the Edge due to take up the entire block bounded by 12th and 13th between Walker and Dewey?

Is the Edge due to take up the entire block bounded by 12th and 13th between Walker and Dewey?

yes

Thanks for the answer.

construction fence up all around this site as of friday

There goes all the overflow parking for Midtown. Maybe it will encourage a few more people to walk. Too bad the streetcar isn't up and running yet.

construction fence up all around this site as of friday

Contractor job trailer is on site too. It sits on the east side of Walker.

Contractor job trailer is on site too. It sits on the east side of Walker.

ergo... something's happening!
:)

Saw a solitary bulldozer pushing some dirt around today....

Pics from a few days ago. They aren't wasting any time on the earthwork on this site:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8186542841_b48f0601e4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/8186542841/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8187586924_b3c322b82b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/8187586924/)

Thanks for sharing.

Sooooo good to see something finally happening on this site. Seems like it's been forever since this process commenced, with a bunch of stops and starts.

Going to make a huge impact on Midtown.

it is amazing how much concrete was 5/10/ and even 20 feet underground .... ..

also of note the TIF allocation was approved for this project at the tuesday EDtrust meeting

I drove by this morning and the dirt work has progressed significantly from what is visible in the pictures above even. Any idea how long they expect the site work to take?

it is amazing how much concrete was 5/10/ and even 20 feet underground .... ..

also of note the TIF allocation was approved for this project at the tuesday EDtrust meeting

Well it was a hospital built during the Cold War/nuclear arms race.

It was a nuclear bomb shelter? I had never heard that.

I'm not saying that I explicitly know that, but it was extremely common of public or institutional buildings from that time. Today I was in an APA Ohio conference that was held in a hotel with an adjoined conference facility that used to be a bomb shelter. It still had the nuclear bomb shelter signage and everything..very cool

Sometimes radiology was in the basement of old hospitals, and, if so, would have had lead shielding as well.

Growing up on air bases during the 60's and 70's, fallout shelters were common, especially on the missile and bomber bases. The hospital was nearly always a shelter.

I'm not saying that I explicitly know that, but it was extremely common of public or institutional buildings from that time. Today I was in an APA Ohio conference that was held in a hotel with an adjoined conference facility that used to be a bomb shelter. It still had the nuclear bomb shelter signage and everything..very cool

The campus housing I lived in at OSU was built in the 50s and was still labeled as a fall-out shelter.

The campus housing I lived in at OSU was built in the 50s and was still labeled as a fall-out shelter.

same with several buildings on Tinker to this day

The campus housing I lived in at OSU was built in the 50s and was still labeled as a fall-out shelter.

Love the way we used to build structures. My dorm at OU, while not a fallout shelter per se, was built to last.

Love the way we used to build structures. My dorm at OU, while not a fallout shelter per se, was built to last.

I lived in Walker Tower and Kirk House at OU. Neither was particularly classic and well built. The old barracks to the east (Wilson, I think) were barely inhabitable. The only classic I can think of was up at campus corner...the old international students dorm. So, I'm wondering where you lived.

The new student housing where O'Connels stood seems much better than anything that existed when I was there.

The Cross Center dorms are fairly solid. I used to be with an agency that leased parts of Building D, and later most of B. For many years the OSSM youth lived in Building C until their OKC campus was completed. Cross C then went back into service for OU students. The agency left the campus in summer of 03. Not sure what use is made of the Cross Center buildings these days.

The Cross Center dorms are fairly solid. I used to be with an agency that leased parts of Building D, and later most of B. For many years the OSSM youth lived in Building C until their OKC campus was completed. Cross C then went back into service for OU students. The agency left the campus in summer of 03. Not sure what use is made of the Cross Center buildings these days.

I think Cross and Cate are built the same. Was okay as student...wouldn't want to live there now. Lol. Students can put up with about anything as long as it is cheap.

But we are WAY off topic. Sorry

OU has the worst campus housing in the Big 12. I exercised my right to live "at home" in a rental house owned by my parents my freshman year. Baylor and TCU's campus housing is amazing. I think OSU has the best variety, while UT and KU have the most efficient housing towers.

OU has the worst campus housing in the Big 12. I exercised my right to live "at home" in a rental house owned by my parents my freshman year. Baylor and TCU's campus housing is amazing. I think OSU has the best variety, while UT and KU have the most efficient housing towers.

Way off topic but strongly disagree

OU has the worst campus housing in the Big 12. I exercised my right to live "at home" in a rental house owned by my parents my freshman year. Baylor and TCU's campus housing is amazing. I think OSU has the best variety, while UT and KU have the most efficient housing towers.

While I appreciate the usual gusto, I don't agree, unless you were speaking of Wilson center which was torn down. OU was generally on par then. I had 4 sisters and 2 brothers at OSU and they maybe were the equal, but no better. I had friends at KU, Colorado, Missouri, UT, Texas Tech, KSU and they were all pretty comparable...though the settings at Colorado and KU were admittedly much better.

All this clarifies the status of the progress of the site preparation at the edge much better and we are all more enlightened for the past couple of pages of postings. Lol.

While I appreciate the usual gusto, I don't agree, unless you were speaking of Wilson center which was torn down. OU was generally on par then. I had 4 sisters and 2 brothers at OSU and they maybe were the equal, but no better. I had friends at KU, Colorado, Missouri, UT, Texas Tech, KSU and they were all pretty comparable...though the settings at Colorado and KU were admittedly much better.

All this clarifies the status of the progress of the site preparation at the edge much better and we are all more enlightened for the past couple of pages of postings. Lol.

No. OU basically has one nice option, the honors dorms. The only new option finished in the last decade are crappy suburban style gated apartments. The new athletic dorms will be a huge game changer.

Glad you mentioned TTU because that's another school that recently just moved light years ahead of the competition. The reality is that OU has been passed up by half the current Big 12 in terms of campus experience, and yes, academics too. Soon to be athletics.

I'm talking about NOW by the way. OU has the towers, which are horrific, the Cate Center, the Honors College, those weird shacks down by Lloyd Noble, and the suburban gated apartment complexes.

No. OU basically has one nice option, the honors dorms. The only new option finished in the last decade are crappy suburban style gated apartments. The new athletic dorms will be a huge game changer.

Glad you mentioned TTU because that's another school that recently just moved light years ahead of the competition. The reality is that OU has been passed up by half the current Big 12 in terms of campus experience, and yes, academics too. Soon to be athletics.

I'm talking about NOW by the way. OU has the towers, which are horrific, the Cate Center, the Honors College, those weird shacks down by Lloyd Noble, and the suburban gated apartment complexes.

Ahh, the bias. Ahh. the exaggeration.

Many of the new dorms are privately developed and most are the apartment style dorms. The largest developer of these is in Austin, they bought one of the other large developers of these who we worked with on military family housing privatization projects when I was at Benham. Many of new dorms at Tech were developed by American Campus Communities. The tower type dorms are out of favor with most unless space/land value constraints deem them necessary.

I lived in Walker when I was at OU, Whitehand Hall near Campus Corner was still in use when I was there and Cate was significantly better than Cross.

Currently working at OU and thinking about Baylor, the contrast is stark. Spartan is right about the comparison between those two schools. Baylor has a converted furniture factory into housing, huge new building complexes that are verticle, and other new/renovated units. It is actually quite shocking. LL Sams Lofts, Apartments in the Baylor University Area. Waco, TX (http://www.llsamslofts.com)

And we are so far off of subject.

I gave Gary Brooks a small streetcar model for the model of his building. It is an impressive model. They are putting a 45 degree cut on the NW corner of the building so we can make the right hand turn off of Dewey onto 13th.

No. OU basically has one nice option, the honors dorms. The only new option finished in the last decade are crappy suburban style gated apartments. The new athletic dorms will be a huge game changer.

Glad you mentioned TTU because that's another school that recently just moved light years ahead of the competition. The reality is that OU has been passed up by half the current Big 12 in terms of campus experience, and yes, academics too. Soon to be athletics.

I'm talking about NOW by the way. OU has the towers, which are horrific, the Cate Center, the Honors College, those weird shacks down by Lloyd Noble, and the suburban gated apartment complexes.

OU has made huge strides in academics. We are way better than we used to be. The campus is much nicer than when I went there too.

Nothing like a full page of OU talk. I didn't know they had a presence in Midtown...

OU has made huge strides in academics. We are way better than we used to be. The campus is much nicer than when I went there too.

I just don't think we've made the progress I'd hoped...it's pretty clear which university is surging right now, in every category. Boren is a once in a lifetime University President, but it's time to use that massive endowment for something or redirect fundraising efforts.

No. OU basically has one nice option, the honors dorms. The only new option finished in the last decade are crappy suburban style gated apartments. The new athletic dorms will be a huge game changer.

Glad you mentioned TTU because that's another school that recently just moved light years ahead of the competition. The reality is that OU has been passed up by half the current Big 12 in terms of campus experience, and yes, academics too. Soon to be athletics.

I'm talking about NOW by the way. OU has the towers, which are horrific, the Cate Center, the Honors College, those weird shacks down by Lloyd Noble, and the suburban gated apartment complexes.

I lived in the Honors dorms. Cool building.

Edge at Midtown guys...Edge at Midtown.

I'm curious, how many living spaces are going to be readily available in Midtown in the coming year or so? The Edge + Midtownr renovations + The Osler Hotel. Foot traffic and traffic in general is going to increase quite a bit from where it is now.

The Osler will become the Ambassador Hotel with 60 rooms, so while it will add lots of people to Midtown, it's not technically housing.

Here's a summary of all Midtown living units:


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

Here's a link to the full list of all downtown housing plus an index of projects:

http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Downtown+Housing+Summary&highlight=housing

We are essentially doubling our downtown population base in a matter of three years or so. Pretty impressive. Still, it would be great if we could triple it or more to accommodate the real kind of 24/7 urban environment we all crave.

I bet we are going to see a bunch more housing announced soon.

All these projects are filling fast and there are still plenty of vacant lots and buildings to be renovated.

There are going to be lots of developers that want to move before the streetcar is fully implemented, which is going to be an amazing catalyst for Midtown and downtown in general.

By Harvey Lots do you mean the Harvey Lofts; the old Wesley Hospital bldg that Preftakes renovated around 2007-08?

Pete, besides that we know Midtown is well poised, are you hearing any more specific rumors?