address=123 NE 2nd (http://goo.gl/maps/fQW86)
Block bounded by NE 2nd/3rd/Walnut/Oklahoma
owner=Richard McKown
cost=$24 million
architect=AHMM (UK)
height=4-story
acerage=2.62
222 units, Native Roots grocery store, parking garage

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/levelwiki1.jpg
Information & Latest News
4/4/12 $71,000 building permit for Native Roots
1/7/11: Apartment complex planned for Deep Deuce (http://newsok.com/24-million-apartment-complex-planned-in-deep-deuce/article/3530123)
Tenants
Native Roots Market (http://www.okctalk.com/other-urban-development/31309-native-roots-grocery.html)
Urban Johnnie
Links
County Assessor Record (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R208591700)
Official Website (http://www.levelokc.com/)
Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/levelokc)
Gallery

There was an article awhile back about another developer taking over the building of the Brownstones. Details were few.

City Center Properties LLC purchased multiple lots at Maywood Park section one addition for $2.6 million from Flatiron Land Investors LP.

I wonder if this is just for the remaining empty lots, or if it includes the unsold Brownstones? It seems pretty clear that the project was ill-timed, and misjudged the market. Last time I drove by, I saw a large sign that read, "reinventing trips to grandma's", with a rendering of a very elegant, older lady, below. That suggests they may be making a very overt pitch for the Brownstones as a de facto retirement village. Not sure it will work, but if it were me, I would do whatever I could to get them sold and try not to take too much of a bath on it.

Story is coming... delayed by mother nature.

The real estate people at Maywood Lofts told me that the property where "The Leslie" was supposed to go had been sold and the new developer was changing up the site plan with a completely new project. I'd assume they may have sold more than just that lot.

This sounds Big.

Can't wait for the story Steve.

It has to be if they paid $2.6 million for land.

Story is coming... delayed by mother nature.

Mother nature? The threat of severe weather keeps a story out? :smile:

I hope it's going to be for RENT.

Mother nature? The threat of severe weather keeps a story out? :smile:

Yep.

I took that to mean that mother nature also guides how soon journalistic pieces can be finished.

Access issue...

Any more info on this project changing hands??

I wonder if this is just for the remaining empty lots, or if it includes the unsold Brownstones? It seems pretty clear that the project was ill-timed, and misjudged the market. Last time I drove by, I saw a large sign that read, "reinventing trips to grandma's", with a rendering of a very elegant, older lady, below. That suggests they may be making a very overt pitch for the Brownstones as a de facto retirement village. Not sure it will work, but if it were me, I would do whatever I could to get them sold and try not to take too much of a bath on it.

It does not include the unsold Brownstones. And, the sign you saw with an elegant older lady is just one of several showing people of varying ages. I don't believe anyone is trying to make it into a de facto retirement village. It's just that townhouses definitely appeal to people who are empty nesters, as well as others.

Although the project was ill-timed, there were many things built in the last few years that one could say were ill-timed. And, although the developers may not have had their crystal ball out, I think we can be thankful they built the quality of buildings they did. We talk about sustainability and improving our downtown area. Had the developers thrown up a cheap rental, we might already see signs of decay. These buildings will be here in 100 years and still be worth renovating at that time. They may go through cycles of appeal to different age and income groups, but, like in some of our older cities, when the cycle turns, these will still be attractive to people interested in urban renewal. Anybody think we'll be renovating the Legacy apartments in 100 years? I'm appreciative that someone tried to put a quality product in place. Sadly, the economic downtown is going to make that less appealing and we'll probably get more Legacys and fewer brownstones.

I thought Legacy was a good project. I'm not aware of any areas they skimped on the design, they just didn't do the kickass urban design they originally proposed and ended up eventually building a very plain urban design that otherwise had a kickass site plan. Businesses that line the sidewalk. Imagine that, and yes in my opinion that is worth saving in 100 years. Believe it or not buildings today are built to be sturdier and more utilitarian than buildings 100 years ago, even if they haven't yet passed the test of still standing 100 years later. In my opinion we should be fighting to save every 100 year old building.

Is there any news on this? Did I miss the story? Or is the weather still keeping the printing press from operating?

I was told that the empty lot between 2nd and 3rd, Walnut and Oklahoma was being sold, as well as the land between the Maywood Lofts and the Maywood Brownstones, as well as possibly the Finley Building. I don't know what that price tag would purchase in that location.

All of that land is being purchased by the Scaramucci's...

True. I didn't want to say that but since I didn't, I'll agree.

All of that land is being purchased by the Scaramucci's...

I've heard that from fairly accurate sources, I guess we'll see.

Any idea what they plan on doing with it?

Hopefully not strictly upscale housing, as we've seen how quickly those have flown off the shelves...

I really didn't realize they had that kind of money. The Scaramucci's used to live on the southside near my parents, who definitely aren't in financial position to buy Maywood Park..

They're not buying the whole area, just open land and perhaps the Finley Building. But, the Scaramucci's have enough money to be one of the Thunder owners. They've got one of the $10 million Thunder partnerships, I believe.

Southsyyyde. Represent.

But, the Scaramucci's have enough money to be one of the Thunder owners. They've got one of the $10 million Thunder partnerships, I believe.

Had no idea. Nonna's must be doing WELL.

Uh, not to discuss people's finances (gauche) but just to set the record straight: the Scaramucci family is behind the Balon Corporation (http://www.balon.com/), among other things. Also, there are more Scaramuccis than just Phil and Avis, and most that I am aware of have been successful in their chosen endeavors. It's a family with a lot of business savvy, not to mention tons of community involvement.

The Scaramucci involvement is only partially true. And until this group is ready to talk, all you're going to get at this point are rumors.

Uh, not to discuss people's finances (gauche) but just to set the record straight: the Scaramucci family is behind the Balon Corporation (http://www.balon.com/), among other things. Also, there are more Scaramuccis than just Phil and Avis, and most that I am aware of have been successful in their chosen endeavors. It's a family with a lot of business savvy, not to mention tons of community involvement.
Yes, the family has "lots of irons in the fire" when it comes to businesses and most operate pretty much under the radar of publicity. There are quite a few families in the OKC that most people do not a high public profile but operate very successful businesses.

The family had a significant inheritance, and yes they all acquiring all of the open land and the Finley Building if the old coot will ever sell...why do some you have to act like this is some big secret when it is not ???

Not treating it as "secret" - treating it as the rumor it is.
What I will point out is that "the old coot" you refer to, Dr. Finley, passed away a couple of years ago. And others remember him in other terms - as the first black doctor to get access to St. Anthony Hospital, as someone who provided free health care to the needy well into his 90s.
And the rumors being cited in this thread do not match what I'm hearing.
When I get information that is based in fact or is verifiable, I'll pass it along.

Two other possibilities exist, you may not know what I know or you could be wrong...

I could be wrong. You've got to consider that I've talked to owners of these properties and I've talked to the buyers and potential buyers. If you've done so as well, than the third possibility is that one of us misunderstood what we were told or we were given bad info.
Either way, right now, nobody involved is saying anything "on the record" and so far it's all rumor.

I have talked to buyers, sellers, bankers,etc...and nobody suggested confidentiality...

You've been busy. So tell us, who is the architect, what's being planned, is the project financed and when will it begin? Seriously....

No, not really, I do not see it as that big of deal...

You're being coy. Did I mention I have heard innuendo of a planned 30-story residential tower? You know, the one going in on the Maywood site.

I'm not being coy. I don't have anything firm to report.

They're not buying the whole area, just open land and perhaps the Finley Building. But, the Scaramucci's have enough money to be one of the Thunder owners. They've got one of the $10 million Thunder partnerships, I believe.


Uh, not to discuss people's finances (gauche) but just to set the record straight: the Scaramucci family is behind the Balon Corporation (http://www.balon.com/), among other things. Also, there are more Scaramuccis than just Phil and Avis, and most that I am aware of have been successful in their chosen endeavors. It's a family with a lot of business savvy, not to mention tons of community involvement.


Exactly, the Balon Corporation and JAY SCARAMUCCI (I assume their son?) is the one with the Thunder Partnership:

NBA in Oklahoma City - The History Behind Oklahoma City's NBA Status, the New Orleans Hornets and the Relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics (http://okc.about.com/od/spectatorteamsports/a/okcnbateams_2.htm)


Yes, the family has "lots of irons in the fire" when it comes to businesses and most operate pretty much under the radar of publicity. There are quite a few families in the OKC that most people do not a high public profile but operate very successful businesses.


Exactly. There are lots of prominent families and businesses in OKC many of you have never heard of that operate under the radar and wouldn't realize they make tens of millions a year.

Jay Scaramucci is Phil's brother. Avis and Phil do have a son, Wade, who is a successful architect in London and was part of the team that designed Nonna's/Painted Door. Most of this info is readily available online.

I'm not being coy. I don't have anything firm to report.

Lol no Steve, that comment was for soonerus, not you..sorry you took it that way.

Any updates in Maywood Park?

yes

Steve, LOL, I won't say another word...

j/k

Keep me employed - buy the paper tomorrow! I think you'll like my story (well, at least most of you).

Keep me employed - buy the paper tomorrow! I think you'll like my story (well, at least most of you).

Why wait?

$18 million Aloft hotel planned for Oklahoma City's Deep Deuce
Jim Thompson, owner of New Century Investments, has built four hotels in past decade – two with restaurants. His proposal for Maywood Park calls for a six-story, 130-room hotel with three restaurants and 12,000 square feet for boutique retail on the first floor.

BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: June 17, 2010
An Oklahoma City hotel developer with a penchant for giving franchisers "fits” with his insistence on custom design is planning an $18 million Aloft hotel for the Maywood Park development in Deep Deuce.

Read the rest of Steve's article at:

$18 million Aloft hotel planned for Oklahoma City's Deep Deuce | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/developer-has-lofty-plans-for-new-hotel-in-deep-deuce/article/3469112?custom_click=lead_story_title)

hahah, poor Steve.

Well Warren, there you go. You've put me out on the streets. Guess I'll have to get one of those jobs at Oprah's magazine where one gets $10k and an Ipad on the publication's 10th anniversary (Question: If Oprah hires me a week after this bounty is announced, do I still get to share in the loot?)

Well Warren, there you go. You've put me out on the streets. Guess I'll have to get one of those jobs at Oprah's magazine where one gets $10k and an Ipad on the publication's 10th anniversary (Question: If Oprah hires me a week after this bounty is announced, do I still get to share in the loot?)

Want me to take it down and repost it tomorrow morning? Also, where is this going to happen? On the south side of NE 2nd, west of Walnut?

This is exciting news!

Great news. Anything on what the church across the street could be doing.
A HOB would be a nice wish for santa to bring.

Want me to take it down and repost it tomorrow morning? Also, where is this going to happen? On the south side of NE 2nd, west of Walnut?
No, no... I'm just kidding. You posted it just as you should.
Enjoy the story.

Exciting news! Thanks Steve, I'll buy a copy of the paper tomorrow anyway.

Keep me employed - buy the paper tomorrow! I think you'll like my story (well, at least most of you).

God dammit!! I am so pissed off now. Why the hell would anyone want to build an upscale hotel and build up a neighborhood and better OKC?? Sheesh, come on now. This is killin me!! I want all those downtown sites to stay vacant. GOD I HATE BUILDINGS!! Density schmensity. Grrrr!! This is terrible! We're so screwed..

On a side note..that is a beautiful hotel. I am in love. And Steve goes back on everyone's good list..about time we have some good infill to talk about. Happy day.

But with Detox gone, where will I stumble to after an all night bender in bricktown?

Steve, I'll read the article again in the morning when my paper is delivered if that helps.

Cool. It will be a superb addition to the neighborhood. I hope it happens.

Cool. It will be a superb addition to the neighborhood. I hope it happens.

Seems like it is fast-tracked if OCURA approved it yesterday.

Thanks for the details Steve. Had Oklahoma news report on in the background this evening and they mentioned this but i didnt catch the location, now i know!

Question: is this located on one of the proposed streetcar lines ?