http://media22.onsugar.com/files/2011/06/26/3/1578/15782066/1fd494fca8138a95_Steel_Building_Home_Designs_C.pre view.jpg

http://homeklondike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/4-EcoSteel.jpg

I know this is NOT a forum for alternative building ideas. But many of the people who are interested in SoSA are also interested in modern construction/design, and I have been looking for a lot in SoSA...So I post the question...Has anyone ever seen the modern homes made out of standard commercial steel buildings (the kind used for large warehouses)? I think that the cost alone makes them very attractive, normally $25000 or less for approx 2000 sq feet, but I think with the right designer you could really make something special! Thoughts?

There are a lot of alternative steel home products, but it takes some design skill to keep them from looking stupid (see some bad examples here): http://www.steelmasterusa.com/quonset-hut-homes Google “metal building homes” and you’ll find several other terrible examples.

I have designed (but never built) some pretty funky “Quonset” homes… I’m convinced that you can build a very Dwellish abode with steel buildings, but the creativity-killing regulations will most likely prevent them from happening in SoSA (whole nuther subject).

Steel buildings can be inexpensive, hurricane resistant, green, and architecturally acceptable at the same time… problem is, it’ll probably be a wash after you pay the right designer to keep it from looking like an abortion.

There are a lot of alternative steel home products, but it takes some design skill to keep them from looking stupid (see some bad examples here): http://www.steelmasterusa.com/quonset-hut-homes Google “metal building homes” and you’ll find several other terrible examples.

I have designed (but never built) some pretty funky “Quonset” homes… I’m convinced that you can build a very Dwellish abode with steel buildings, but the creativity-killing regulations will most likely prevent them from happening in SoSA (whole nuther subject).

Steel buildings can be inexpensive, hurricane resistant, green, and architecturally acceptable at the same time… problem is, it’ll probably be a wash after you pay the right designer to keep it from looking like an abortion.

Dwells, thanks so much for the response. Thats what I would consider an educated opinion! Your example of bad designs are HORRIBLE! If one of those were built close to property I owned I would be disappointed! I have been working on collecting ideas and am doing well so far...What I am very concerned about are the regulations or design restrictions that might prevent me from making this a reality!

But you could easily tap into the incredible creativity of Randy Floyd if you want a nice little wooden cottage in SoSA.

There's a really awesome urban development in the Fourth Ward area of Houston (between Midtown and Downtown) that has 150 of these steel modern homes. I think rows and rows of this type of architecture is only possible in Houston, though.

http://www.urbanliving2000.com/images/FourthWard.jpg

Spartan, I am intrigued with the steel buildings as residences. All I have ever really seen looks pretty temporary and cheap - like in Montana. Can't say I have noticed in urban areas. Can you post some links to the Houston projects?

This lady's house was recently featured on the MTV show I had mentioned. She is apparently starting up a steel container home company in Kansas City. I love the interior:

http://homeinabox.blogspot.com/2011/10/home-contained-debbie-glassberg-kansas.html


Look through her blog it contains many examples and proposed designs.

WOW Questor, thats impressive! It takes a bit of imagination and eccentricity to live in an "out of the box" home like that but I think I am both so Game ON!

Spartan, I am intrigued with the steel buildings as residences. All I have ever really seen looks pretty temporary and cheap - like in Montana. Can't say I have noticed in urban areas. Can you post some links to the Houston projects?

http://www.tenyearstoclarity.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Area-Context-420.png
The Fourth Ward in Houston is an area immediately across I-45 from downtown Houston, and just north of Midtown. Midtown has been almost entirely developed with infill, and Downtown continues to see skyscraper and mixed-use development, while Fourth Ward was targeted in a C2S-type way. It used to be run-down New Orleans-style shotgun shacks, whereas today it's all been cleared for large-scale redevelopment in chunks. Link with more info: http://www.tenyearstoclarity.org/?p=492

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/carnegie1092810.jpg
Proposed Carnegie Vanguard High School anchors planned green square, shown in map above. I think you can certainly notice the steel incorporated into the design of this high school, at the very least as a tactile compliment. ^


http://images.neighborcity.com/images/07/c9/80/5d.jpg
Another street of metal urban townhomes in the Fourth Ward (compare to photo I posted on last page).

http://imagescdn.gabriels.net/RENO/ImageReader.aspx?IDClient=185&IDListing=185-l-2774-48303574&W=400&H=300&ImageURL=http%3A%2F%2FHoustonImages.gabriels.net%2 FMediaDisplay%2F73%2Fhr2850973-1.jpg

http://c718756.r56.cf2.rackcdn.com/21488/3/1231_buckner.jpg
More photos of the metal townhomes.

http://johndcramer.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/dsc04760.jpg
New community center in the Fourth Ward.

http://resources.newhomesource.com/Images/Homes/DavidWeekleyHom/7362984.jpg
Different faux-Tuscan style of another large Fourth Ward redevelopment.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4046852670_b269c13d00.jpg
More traditional brick loft style of another development linking Midtown to the Fourth Ward.

Here is a question that I would like to send out to cyber space because I have no experience with it but I would like to know where to start...

I read about a couple in DWELL magazine who bought the infill lot for their container home from their city for $1. It didn't go into detail at all, and I can't find that article again. I guess there are houses/lots (typically with condemned houses or lots of debt like fines or taxes) which the government essentially repossesses and will resell or auction. Does anyone have experience with this or any ideas. Just thought it might be a creative way to get ahold of a lot to build on in Midtown or NW OKC.

^^ Try searching NE Okc.

^^ Try searching NE Okc.

Haha, THANKS, but everything I want to do and see is in NW OKC or downtown! I know a $1 or even a $1000 property is a once in a lifetime occurrence. But I love the idea of winning the land lottery!

I would actually be concerned about building on some random land like that for fear that the neighbors would complain and moan about the look of the structure forever.

Haha, THANKS, but everything I want to do and see is in NW OKC or downtown! I know a $1 or even a $1000 property is a once in a lifetime occurrence. But I love the idea of winning the land lottery!

There are actually a few modern designed homes that are being built on infill lots and they are on the NE side of Okc too.

Also noticed a modern infill project under construction in the 10Penn area and another in the Aurora neighborhood. Again a little rough around the edges type neighborhoods, but the land is cheap.

I think Skyline may be referring to the NE8th and Lottie area and also perhaps the house on NW 14th just west of Lincoln

For those of you who live in this fantastic area, how has crime been? Especially those who have built a home - vandalism? theft? during construction...

I am in no way saying that it doesn't happen everywhere - in fact I live in a very nice area close to Penn Square Mall and Nichols Hills right now and I have recently been broken into and they stole everything - it was a horrible deal, I just wondered about SoSA, I continue to try and find a reasonable lot in this area!

I can't speak to SoSA, but I moved from Heritage Hills East (a one block strip from Robinson to Broadway, south of 23rd, north of 13th) about 12-13 years ago. While living in Heritage Hills East (for a time on NW 20th but longer on NW 19th), altogether around 4-5 years, my residence was burglarized and stuff taken about 4-5 times, as I recall (memory is bad). I remember the 1st instance much better than the latter.

But, since my wife and I moved west on NW 19th to Mesta Park, 12-13 years ago, no attempted or accomplished burglaries have occurred to our home. Not one. It might be bad karma for me to write this, and I don't know how it might or might not affect SoSA less than a mile south of where I live, but that is my report.

We moved here from Yukon, where on separate occasions our car, and garage were broken into... I don't want to cause a karma rift either, but we've had absolutely ZERO security issues. Our neighbors had a bathtub stolen during construction... And only occasionally, inebriated street entertainers might pass by, adding to the authenticity that makes SoSA great.

(Incidentally, our home insurance is substantially less costly than it was for our less-valuable house in Yukon!)

What builders have completed infill homes in SoSA?! I need to get in contact with some options so I can move forward joining this neighborhood! Thanks!

What builders have completed infill homes in SoSA?! I need to get in contact with some options so I can move forward joining this neighborhood! Thanks!

If you have a site, and a design, I can give you some starting points for finding a builder. Contact me offline...

We moved here from Yukon, where on separate occasions our car, and garage were broken into... I don't want to cause a karma rift either, but we've had absolutely ZERO security issues. Our neighbors had a bathtub stolen during construction... And only occasionally, inebriated street entertainers might pass by, adding to the authenticity that makes SoSA great.

(Incidentally, our home insurance is substantially less costly than it was for our less-valuable house in Yukon!)

Dwells, if you don't mind saying, why would your insurance be lower ?

Thanks

Dwells, if you don't mind saying, why would your insurance be lower ?

I really don't have a clue... at first I thought it was because of proximity to a fire department, but both properties are about the same distance.

I really don't have a clue... at first I thought it was because of proximity to a fire department, but both properties are about the same distance.

I know that I recently changed, about 3 years ago, and the new insurance home policy went up (also increased coverage) but the vehicles came down enough for a plus $600 in my favor.

Just wondered - I live in Kingsridge in Yukon.

New project: http://www.freesosa.com/projects.html

Who's the architect on this project Dwells?

Butzer Gardner...

New Old House and Morgan residence?

I think Skyline may be referring to the NE8th and Lottie area and also perhaps the house on NW 14th just west of Lincoln

Right, there are those two streets, as well as at Lincoln and NE 6th ("Lincoln Street House"), and also on Oklahoma and NE 7th.

New project up for approval on 7th Street... Cool. (Wish we could say the same for the one that shares its East property line.)
http://www.freesosa.com/projects.html

These residences are very urban! Exactly what is needed in and around DT. very nice

Hmm. Not sure what I think of that. Modern doesn't have to look depressing.

New project up for approval on 7th Street... Cool. (Wish we could say the same for the one that shares its East property line.)
http://www.freesosa.com/projects.html

Encountering resistance?

Encountering resistance?
I'm not aware of any resistance. Comments were made during the UDC meeting... something to the effect of: "...the style is not in keeping with what's happening in this district."

There are so many great comments on this thread. I am a long time reader of OKCTalk but seldom post anything. My wife and I are hoping to purchase a lot and build a new home in the next year in either the SOSA area or another one of central OKC's historic neighborhoods. We will obviously be quite limited as there are few undeveloped lots available. We both have a backgrounds in construction and architecture.

Does anyone know of a good resource (website, realtor, etc.) where I could see what lots are for sale in the SOSA area? I have driven around and called a few numbers, but I assume there are many more lots for sale in this area than meets the eye. Is it still possible to get a lot for $20-$30,000 here?

Thanks in advance for the help.

I think there are a couple of less expensive lots as you get closer to Classen. I looked once and there was one under $20,000 on 8th, I believe, a block or two from Classen.

Does anyone know of a good resource (website, realtor, etc.) where I could see what lots are for sale in the SOSA area? I have driven around and called a few numbers, but I assume there are many more lots for sale in this area than meets the eye. Is it still possible to get a lot for $20-$30,000 here?

The best tactic is to make a list of addresses you're interested in (empty lot or tear-down), look up the owner on the tax map (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/GIS_Disclaimer.htm), then write letters to the owner expressing your desire to buy. Be persistent. It took us a couple of years of trying, but that's how we found our lot...

Thanks Dwells...

The strategy you just described was the only one I could logically think of. I'm glad you were able to have success with the letters.

The views from SOSA are priceless and we want to be a part of the momentum.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150591959800619&l=b451b3ad2c
Here are some pics from around the area in one of my FB albums. I didn't feel like loading them up onto photobucket

Thanks. Also I took a bunch tray I will post today or tomorrow.

There is a tear down house for sale in the 800 block of 7th street. Just went on the market today. Great views of downtown.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150591959800619&l=b451b3ad2c
Here are some pics from around the area in one of my FB albums. I didn't feel like loading them up onto photobucket

Great pics.

Thanks Spartan, been a long time, bro.

There is a tear down house for sale in the 800 block of 7th street. Just went on the market today. Great views of downtown.

http://www.centraloklahomaproperties.com/SiteContent/PropDetail.aspx?N=1&S=OKC&Id=1221013

$69,900.00

Current listings on MLS:

925 NW 8th Street
http://www.centraloklahomaproperties.com/SiteContent/PropDetail.aspx?N=0&S=OKC&Id=1198401

1008 N Francis Ave
http://www.centraloklahomaproperties.com/SiteContent/PropDetail.aspx?N=0&S=OKC&Id=1135817

816 NW 8th St
http://www.centraloklahomaproperties.com/SiteContent/PropDetail.aspx?N=0&S=OKC&Id=1052062

Thanks for the listings. Anyone know why 816 NW 8th St is $40K more than the other 2 lots? Potential views? One block closer to Midtown? Nearby comps? Drove through there today and boy is there so much potential.

Thanks for the listings. Anyone know why 816 NW 8th St is $40K more than the other 2 lots? Potential views? One block closer to Midtown? Nearby comps? Drove through there today and boy is there so much potential.

I am only speculating... but I have seen it happen too often... When an area tries to encourage improvement and move forward SOME home owners and property owners get greedy and often times stunt or gridlock the growth by pricing their properties as if the entire area has already achieved the goals it has set.

It is as if they get in a time machine and go 5 years in the future assuming everything moves forward at an accelerated rate.

I realize the SoSA neighborhood has a great running head start to becoming a premier NW OKC neighborhood and "DEALS" will become harder and harder to find! But, I also realize that when driving the streets of SoSA you still can see couches on some of the front porches, deteriorating houses, and homeless folks on foot. Nichols Hills pricing per sq foot on vacant property is innapropriate!

Thats just my 2 cents.

Current listings on MLS:816 NW 8th St
http://www.centraloklahomaproperties.com/SiteContent/PropDetail.aspx?N=0&S=OKC&Id=1052062
$60,000 for this lot is reasonable... get it while it's hot!

Really enjoy this forum. It helps me keep up with things in the neighborhood. I purchased a lot in 2004 at 619 NW 7th and had a home built. I worked downtown and used to joke that on a bad day my commute could be upwards of 3 minutes. I have since moved to KC MO to be nearer my parents but still own the home and have it leased. I plan on using it as a retirement home in the future. I am excited by the construction going on in SOSA. I believe there are still lots to be had. I paid 20k for mine and it had previously had a burnt-out duplex and the city had torn it down. Keep up the great momentum in SOSA!

More details on this previously announced new build:

http://www.okc.gov/planning/planning_library/urban_design/11-00025.pdf

Yet further proof that taste is highly subjective.

Really enjoy this forum. It helps me keep up with things in the neighborhood. I purchased a lot in 2004 at 619 NW 7th and had a home built. I worked downtown and used to joke that on a bad day my commute could be upwards of 3 minutes. I have since moved to KC MO to be nearer my parents but still own the home and have it leased. I plan on using it as a retirement home in the future. I am excited by the construction going on in SOSA. I believe there are still lots to be had. I paid 20k for mine and it had previously had a burnt-out duplex and the city had torn it down. Keep up the great momentum in SOSA!

Welcome to the forum!

Wow, by the time you retire you will be returning to a completely different city and neighborhood.

Wise investment on your part.

More details on this previously announced new build:

http://www.okc.gov/planning/planning_library/urban_design/11-00025.pdf

Yet further proof that taste is highly subjective.

Butzer is building another house right next to that one and it's even more stark:

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

More details on this previously announced new build:

http://www.okc.gov/planning/planning_library/urban_design/11-00025.pdf

Yet further proof that taste is highly subjective.

Wow that is bad.

The Lynn house probably makes "Cottage District" proponents somewhat happy. I see it as a positive thing, the more good development, the better. SoSA is the place for architectural...uh...contrast.

The design of the Lynn Residence sorta misses the boat (if that boat was intended to take advantage of that site's tremendous viewpoint). The choppy, and inefficient floor plan focuses on a skylight, and the enclosed backyard rather than one of SoSA's best skyline views... But, design freedom is what SoSA is all about. Welcome on board! (I'd be curious what the owner's directions to the designer were...?)

Welcome to the forum!

Wow, by the time you retire you will be returning to a completely different city and neighborhood.

Wise investment on your part.

Thanks
It will be about 10 years so keep up the momentum. Should have a couple of NBA championships by then!!!!

Ken

There are several great vacant lots which have become available in SoSA lately! But I am finding resistance with banks wanting to lend money on doing anything on them. In better times this neighborhood would be so much further by now! The only way to make any money today is working with a private investor! Even those are few and far between now! Frustrating!

First Mortgage (in the TAP building on Broadway) does a lot of the downtown mortgages and may be able to help.

Thank you Betts! Have not spoken to them yet!

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/224.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/223.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/222.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/221.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/220.jpg

Notice Red Andrews Park got a much needed mini-makeover!
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/219.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/218.jpg

Great pics!! Thanks, Metro!!