development
|category1=Housing
|category2=Classen
|category3=
|category4=
|
|project=18th Street Studios
|address=1214 NW. 18th Street (http://goo.gl/maps/kQ8fj) (between Classen Blvd. and Ellison Ave.)
|status=complete
|owner=David Bardwell
|cost=$12,588,000
|architect=
|start=
|finish=
|contractor=
|height=3 stories, 30 ft.
|sq. feet=17,000 sf.
|acerage=
|other=12 units in new building, 8 units in renovated historic rowhouse, planned future addition
|
|image=http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/18thstudiowiki1.jpg
|

Information & Latest News
Links
Website (http://www.dwbllc.com/)
Downtown Housing Summary
Urban Project Summary
County Assessor Record (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R062149280)
Gallery

The two multi-unit places just left of where you highlighted burned down last year, perhaps this is the replacement we've been hearing about but your location is off slightly?

$12.5 million?

Wow

I spoke of this a month or so ago. The developer owns the building next door. I looked into moving in that building but did not want to be living next door to construction for the next year. I saw the plans and the buildign will have a modern type of look. If I remember right, there will be 24 units with private balconies for some.

The two apartment buildings to the left of the parking lot burned last year.

I believe Brian Fitzsimmons is the architect for the new apartments.

Ah, found it..... http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24245

The same company owns all four parcels between the office building on Classen & Ellison.

I've changed the aerial to reflect all their holdings.

The two multi-unit places just left of where you highlighted burned downcast year, perhaps this is the replacement we've been hearing about but your location is off slightly?

Metro, Pete's highlighted section is spot on. The buildings to the left are no longer there of the yellow are no longer there.

The same company owns all four parcels between the office building on Classen & Ellison.

I've changed the aerial to reflect all their holdings.

That makes more sense.

Those properties are owned by David Bardwell -- lives in Oak Tree.


Very good sign this this project can get the financing to go forward.

Even though money is still tight, there are clear signs that we've turned a corner.

Here is a rough site plan. They plan to renovate the older apartment building on the east end of the property.

Fitzsimmons is indeed the architect. The rendering is meant to show the approximate size; exact design was not included in their submission to the planning commission.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/18classen3.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/18classen4.jpg

That's a $12,5M project? It looks like something you'd see in suburban Stockholm. Still seems like a good project. So a few buildings that weren't burned down are going to also come down for this project? Hmmm, or were all 4 lots damaged by that fire?

Of the four lots (east to west):

1. Existing, occupied apartment building to be renovated
2. Empty lot currently used for parking.
3. Apartment building similar to lot #1 burned down completely
4. Apartment building similar to lot #1 burned beyond saving and presently vacant


From what was submitted to the planning commission it looks like they are planning to use plenty of external steel elements. Since Fitzsimmons is the architect, you know it will be modern and slick.

I just drove by and took pics:

Community Center facing Classen (left) and building to be remodeled (right)http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6978.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6979.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6980.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6981.jpg

Apartment site looking east, building to be remodeled in backgroundhttp://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6982.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6983.jpg

Beat me to it. Spartan, no additional structures that weren't damaged by the fire are coming down. The new apartments will encompass the empty parking lot west to where the two apartment buildings had burnt down. It's good infill that is denser than the development that was previously there, or lack-of in case of the parking lot.

Thanks metro! Looks like the on building on lot #4 has already been demolished.


I hope we see more of these type of projects in the future. If this one does well, it will sure help others get financing.

Pete, I love the way you do the aerials and do the shading/highlighting on so many projects. It really puts things right in my head. I'm sometimes challenged by trying to picture some of these things in my mind and your maps and shading really puts it in perspective. Thank you!

That old apartment building that will be remodeled is one great looking urban space. Sounds like a great project.

As they say Mike, a picture is worth a thousand words. I know I am very much a visual person and once I get a clear image of where something is and what it looks like, it's far easier to keep things straight. I'm sure most others are the same.


As far as the cost of this project: 1) it can be expensive to renovate old buildings and 2) this looks to be a very nice project. Kudos to the developer for not cheaping out.

As far as the cost of this project: 1) it can be expensive to renovate old buildings and 2) this looks to be a very nice project. Kudos to the developer for not cheaping out.

No kidding. I liked the reaction of J. Pitman (a developer who has built top-notch stuff as well in the past) to the price tag.

As far as the cost of this project: 1) it can be expensive to renovate old buildings and 2) this looks to be a very nice project. Kudos to the developer for not cheaping out.

The building that is currently there has already been remolded. (They are still going to do more work as far as covered parking and what not on the South side) I looked at a unit back in January. They look nice. A good blend of keeping the old (IE curved entry ways in hall, kept some built ins, still have the drop down ironing board and built in shelf for the phone) with the new, stainless appliances and granite. I liked the place, and if it werent for having to live next to the construction I would have moved in. As stated previously, I saw the plans for the new units. Will have a modern box type shape (I dont know why reminded me of a container store rendering someone posted in the Classen Curve thread back in the day). Units will have nice privacy with most having private balconies from what I remember. All and all I think it will be a great project for the area and more projects like these are needed.

Where did the renderings go for this project?

Well, this is just great, I'd totally missed this thread. This will greatly improve the overall environment of/for the Classen School of Advanced Studies and the general area along Classen. Homeland (one that could be improved) is just down the street and it's just a jump to downtown. Very good news.

Apartments in works for Classen, 18th in OKC
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 06:35 PM Monday, June 13, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – Plans for a modern-looking, three-story apartment development featuring loftlike open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows are in the works for NW 18th Street and N. Classen Boulevard.

Preliminary designs for the 12-unit development called the 18th Street Studios feature movable wall panels and other modular elements that can be shifted to create different floor plans within each apartment.

“It doesn’t have to be static, you can change it whenever you want,” said Larry Pickering of Fitzsimmons Architects, who designed the development with partner Brian Fitzsimmons.

Preliminary renderings for the exterior of the roughly 16,500-square-foot development show a checkerboardlike pattern of brick and glass panels. The one- and two-bedroom units feature large enclosed balconies that range in size from 200 square feet to
275 square feet, some with views of the downtown skyline.

Fitzsimmons hopes the project will be a catalyst for further development in the area.

“It’s a small infill project, but hopefully it spurs other things to happen in that area,” he said.

Father and son David and Morgan Bardwell of Edmond are developing the 18th Street project.

The Bardwells purchased a row of historic brick apartment buildings at 18th and Classen in October 2009 for $300,000 with plans to renovate them. Two of the buildings had been stripped down to the studs in preparations for renovation work when a fire ripped through the complex just a month after they purchased the property.

The buildings were unsalvageable after the fire and the land was rezoned for higher-density multifamily housing in preparation for the 18th Street Studios.

The surviving eight-unit apartment building, a blonde brick two-story building at 1210 NW 18th St., was renovated last year and has proven popular with renters. The two-story apartment building was constructed in 1925.

“It took less than 60 days to completely fill up,” Morgan Bardwell said.

David Bardwell sees potential in the area because of its close proximity downtown, just minutes away from the corporate headquarters of energy companies such as Devon Energy, SandRidge Energy and Continental Resources, which is in the process of relocating to Oklahoma City.

“We thought it was centrally located without the issues of grocery shopping and parking you might encounter downtown,” he said.

The Bardwells would not disclose the cost of construction for the 18th Street development, but a building permit for the site issued in May puts the cost of the project at $1.25 million.

Construction on the 18th Street Studios is expected to be completed by the middle of 2012, Morgan Bardwell said.

If the development is successful, then additional apartment units could later be added to the site.

We were all wondering how this project could cost $12.5 million; looks like the original building permit was a typo because as reported in this article, it was actually $1.25 million which makes much more sense.

Sounds like a great project and I bet it will be a big hit.

If they can pull that off for $75 per sf, I'll be impressed...

I really hope this is executed well and is a huge success. This will be BIG for the future of the Plaza district (the existence of which should make these apartments quite desirable). Also, I really hope this project gives a much needed injection of confidence to other small developers looking at urban infill residential projects. There are so many little vacant house fire lots that would be perfect for small-ish apartment buildings and so many great old inner city apartment buildings that could use some renovation and rebranding. Anyway, just trying to say, this project makes me very hopeful.

No way these get built for $75/ft. Not believing it.

That figure is conjecture based on the building permit, as the owners declined to state an actual amount. There may be additional permits issued as things progress or the original may be amended.

No way these get built for $75/ft. Not believing it.

Assuming that this doesn't include the cost of the land, that sounds like a pretty reasonable price.

A lot of materials for multifamily units can be bought in bulk.

A typical $150K exisitng house in the OKC burbs is about $70-$75/per sq. ft but thats including the price of a $25K lot.

It doesn't include the cost of the land nor A&E fees, just construction cost.

I just recently stumbled upon your website and as one of the owners of this project I think it's great that your membership is supportive of what we are doing.

Thanks for the input JL Design and mbard!

We all look forward to this project and I bet it's going to be a big success.

Really exciting project. I've always loved that street and thought it had tons of potential. That area is a really under appreciated neighborhood, I believe.

We just finished the renderings, thought I'd post one...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee491/jleach1972/18thStreet-Final_med.jpg

Looks really sharp!

That really is a great little location, not only near the school and American Fidelity but also Braum's & Homeland are right next door... And the emerging 23rd street corridor, the Asian District and OCU are all within walking distance.

Please keep us posted.

Love it. Pete, this is unannounced but Braums will be moving to about SW3rd and Classen/Western after the new I-40 moves.

That'll be okay, I think. It's one of the less desirable Braum's anyways. They'll be releasing some prime land too.

Love the rendering! Classen SAS is in such a neat environment.

Awesome design! Love it!

We just finished the renderings, thought I'd post one...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee491/jleach1972/18thStreet-Final_med.jpg

It looks great! If I were in the market for an apartment, I'd take a serious look at those.

We just finished the renderings, thought I'd post one...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee491/jleach1972/18thStreet-Final_med.jpg

Phwew! Love it.

Prices? I get the feeling that these will be on the very high end.

I, too, love the design but I hope you are aware that this kind of look on a building screams for perfect maintenance of the exterior. Never allow it to start looking umkempt or it will look awful. :-) Just so you know.

It looks very Scandinavian, and THAT is the highest compliment I can dole out to anything design-wise. :-P

Another sign of real change in OKC: More and more progressive and bold designs.

While it doesn't appeal to me personally, it adds to the diversity of offerings in OKC. Just one question, from the renderings, it doesn't appear to have windows that open. Is that correct?

Regarding the Braum's moving... my daughter goes to Classen SAS and that is a big hangout for those kids after school (and a place of walking-distance-from-school employment). It will be a big loss. Not just to those kids, but also to us who use the market (even though homeland is across the street, Braum's milk is better and nice to have so close).

Regarding the design of the new residential, I'm not that big a fan, but maybe it will grow on me as I'll have to drive by it every day.

nice plan.... not the usual Faux designs with it faux plaster and faux stone that is so prevalent in most of the "new' apartments. Also like how it has been positioned to enteract with the street and then relegating the cars and parking to the back of the lot.

ljbab: It has operable windows. Each opening is a full height operable with a fixed sidelight.
As for pricing, maybe mbard can better answer that.

We just finished the renderings, thought I'd post one...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee491/jleach1972/18thStreet-Final_med.jpg

This is simply outstanding work! Amazing! Kudos!

ATTENTION RCJUNKIE AND ROVER: COOL, WELL-CONCEIVED AND DESIGNED PROJECTS DO RECEIVE LOTS OF PRAISE ON THIS BOARD.

We just finished the renderings, thought I'd post one...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee491/jleach1972/18thStreet-Final_med.jpg

Looks awesome!

Regarding the Braum's moving... my daughter goes to Classen SAS and that is a big hangout for those kids after school (and a place of walking-distance-from-school employment). It will be a big loss. Not just to those kids, but also to us who use the market (even though homeland is across the street, Braum's milk is better and nice to have so close).

Regarding the design of the new residential, I'm not that big a fan, but maybe it will grow on me as I'll have to drive by it every day.

I think Metro was wrong about the Braum's relocation. I think he meant the Braum's that was torn down south of I-40 at Penn is relocating not the one on Classen.

I was going to say that the 18th & Classen Braum's location is a completely different market than anything off of I-40, even if they are only a couple of miles apart. It really serves that neighborhood while the one next the interstate is much more for people passing through.

I really hope the one near this new apartment complex stays put.

I was going to say that the 18th & Classen Braum's location is a completely different market than anything off of I-40, even if they are only a couple of miles apart. It really serves that neighborhood while the one next the interstate is much more for people passing through.

I really hope the one near this new apartment complex stays put.

It could become a prime candidate for a rebuild, if the room is there. It's been a few years since I've been there and can't remember the layout.

I mistakenly said 18th, but this particular Braum's is on the SW corner of Classen and NW 17th.

I believe the location off I-40 they had to close due to the construction was on Agnew, just south of the interstate.

This is simply outstanding work! Amazing! Kudos!

ATTENTION RCJUNKIE AND ROVER: COOL, WELL-CONCEIVED AND DESIGNED PROJECTS DO RECEIVE LOTS OF PRAISE ON THIS BOARD.

Haha, too true.

I think Metro was wrong about the Braum's relocation. I think he meant the Braum's that was torn down south of I-40 at Penn is relocating not the one on Classen.
I could be wrong, but that's not what I've been told from a reliable source involved in the deal.

If Braum's goes away, someone else will undoubtedly move in to fill the gap -- MickeyD's, Sonic, Whataburger, or even a non-chain local entrepreneur. The captive market that the school represents will be too good to pass up.

Haha, too true.

OUCH.

Glad to see the planets lining up and a project universally liked by all. Kumbiyah. LOL.

All it takes is a little luck, and then OKC development can get on a roll like this.

We just finished the renderings, thought I'd post one...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee491/jleach1972/18thStreet-Final_med.jpg


Those renderings look amazing! I'm jealous.