They just said on their Facebook page that they want to be open by April.

They just said on their Facebook page that they want to be open by April.

Probably want to be ready in time for NBA Playoffs (if thunder make it), Big 12 Tournament, and the WCWS.

2/8/2015

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New photos on my Twitter: https://twitter.com/unfrsakn

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/10218d1424443685-brickopolis-photo-feb-20-08-15-10.jpg

Sorry for the poor picture; it was a drive-by shooting. Unless I just wasn't observant before, it looks like they just painted or are finishing up painting "Brickopolis" on the canal-side wall.

https://twitter.com/Bricktown411/status/568830624007626753

February 14 2015

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They didn't exactly leave a lot of room to walk on that side of the canal did they. I didn't realize it would be so close. Two groups of people meeting each other are going to have a problem. They might as well go ahead and put in a ladder so people can get out of the canal easily.

They didn't exactly leave a lot of room to walk on that side of the canal did they. I didn't realize it would be so close. Two groups of people meeting each other are going to have a problem. They might as well go ahead and put in a ladder so people can get out of the canal easily.

Man, no joke. I knew it was going to be close but this is ridiculous.

It's about the same width as the sidewalk on the other side, but I'm guessing there'll just be a railing and no green space. Looks like there will also be a second-level walkway above, which will be nice. Shouldn't be any issues getting through here unless it's unusually crowded.

The sidewalk is exactly the same width as the sidewalk that has been there since 1999. As a matter of fact it's the same sidewalk.

I've had that same exactly problem in San Antonio, having to stop and wait for groups to pass because the walk is narrow ish.

It's slightly wider than it looks in many of those photos. It's about 6', complying with ADA. Besides, JTF of all people should know that a common trick in urbanism is to force social interaction... ;)

Lol on that last line. Of course, the chance encounter isn't 'chance' if it is forced.

Are you sure it is the same sidewalk because in some places it appears the bushes are right in the middle of what space is left.

100% certain. The bushes are in beds that have also been there since '99; they are between the sidewalk and the waterway.

By the way, there was some discussion at one point about sacrificing those beds and taking the sidewalk all the way to the water, but not sure where that was left.

By the way, there was some discussion at one point about sacrificing those beds and taking the sidewalk all the way to the water, but not sure where that was left.

It might be more room than it looks but I suspect the flower beds are going to have to go. Along the canal the sidewalk should be atleast 10' wide considering there are no outlets to the sides (building on one side and canal on the other). Besides, what if ODOT needs to get a truck down there [/sarc]

All sidewalks along the canal must be at least 6' wide to provide for Parks Dept maintenance carts.

All sidewalks along the canal must be at least 6' wide to provide for Parks Dept maintenance carts.

You know - that is typical OKC public works/ODOT thinking. Even areas where pedestrians are the primary user the design criteria are based on motorized vehicles. How about this, instead of designing pedestrian areas to accommodate vehicles, buy vehicles that can fit in the space provided (in the case of narrow spaces - Segway scooters with the follow-behind Segway trailer). Okay - sidebar rant over, back to Bricktopisoff (oh wait - that is the name of the future all-nude strip club in Valley Brook) - I meant to say Brickopolis.

I would have thought your Sunday rant would have been about too narrow of sidewalks. To me it isn't the requirement for maintenance passage that is the issue, it is the fact that a narrow passage almost by necessity means people can't gather and there aren't canal side areas to be enjoyed. According to your rant, you would be okay with 3 ft wide sidewalks if not for that evil ODOT group or stupid public works group.

I would have thought your Sunday rant would have been about too narrow of sidewalks. To me it isn't the requirement for maintenance passage that is the issue, it is the fact that a narrow passage almost by necessity means people can't gather and there aren't canal side areas to be enjoyed. According to your rant, you would be okay with 3 ft wide sidewalks if not for that evil ODOT group or stupid public works group.

That is the exact issue I raised about the space between the canal and the Brickopolis buildings. It should be wide enough to permit two group of people (each 2 people wide) to pass safely and comfortably. I don't care what type of vehicle the parks department has because it is totally irrelevant to the design criteria. Design for humans - then buy a vehicle that will work in the space provided. Don't buy the vehicle and design around it - then hope it makes a nice pedestrian space. The priority is mis-placed.

There IS no space between the sidewalk and the building. The walkway directly abuts the structure.

There IS no space between the sidewalk and the building. The walkway directly abuts the structure.

Good catch - I meant the canal and the building. I corrected the original post.

It is hard to tell from the photos but is the slab of the building even with the rim of the canal?

It is, at least within a couple of inches.

The canal sidewalks are a blessing compared to the rest of Bricktown. It is my number 1 infrastructure gripe about Bricktown. I posted some photo example in another thread a while back. Foliage and flowerbeds take priority over pedestrians in OKC.

The canal sidewalks are a blessing compared to the rest of Bricktown. It is my number 1 infrastructure gripe about Bricktown. I posted some photo example in another thread a while back. Foliage and flowerbeds take priority over pedestrians in OKC.

I'm not sure exactly where you are talking about, but I can't think of many places in OKC (or Oklahoma) where there is an overabundance of foliage and flowerbeds. I always seem to be wishing for more of both.

I will agree with Anonymous insofar as foliage is concerned; there are a number of places where tree limbs are allowed to make the sidewalk treacherous for anyone over about 5' tall. Limbs that could easily be taken without causing misshapement of or health concerns for the trees. This has been a pet peeve of mine for years.

I will agree with Anonymous insofar as foliage is concerned; there are a number of places where tree limbs are allowed to make the sidewalk treacherous for anyone over about 5' tall. Limbs that could easily be taken without causing misshapement of or health concerns for the trees. This has been a pet peeve of mine for years.

It's not a priority because a park worker cruising around in a Cushman electric cart can get under it with no problem. Sorry - couldn't resist.

LOL no, the ones I am thinking of are at street level, in multiple locations where the property owners oddly enough take great pride in their grounds but don't understand the effect of their low branches on the overall pedestrian experience. Over the years everyone from the City to the Bricktown Association to DOKC have offered to take off the offending limbs, but the owners have been very protective and said "thanks, but we'll take care of our own trees."

I'm not sure exactly where you are talking about, but I can't think of many places in OKC (or Oklahoma) where there is an overabundance of foliage and flowerbeds. I always seem to be wishing for more of both.

This.

I will agree with Anonymous insofar as foliage is concerned; there are a number of places where tree limbs are allowed to make the sidewalk treacherous for anyone over about 5' tall. Limbs that could easily be taken without causing misshapement of or health concerns for the trees. This has been a pet peeve of mine for years.

I'm 6'7", its a pain walking anywhere but especially down on the canal.

Try walking on the south side of Sheridan between Oklahoma and Mickey Mantle, the east side of Oklahoma between Sheridan and Flaming Lips Alley, the east side of Mickey Mantle between Flaming Lips Alley and Reno, and the get back with me. The canal is cake by comparison. Trust me on this.

3/8/2015

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I've been wondering about the missing "O" and I now see it's missing on the two sides that already have signs. Are they planning a 3d or neon "0" I wonder. Or is it just because the scaffolding attachment is there (on the pictured side at least. I cannot remember if there's scaffolding on the north.

It is great to see canal side windows. I'm waiting, waiting for Bricktown to be so full that canal side is hopping east and west of Oklahoma. I'm hoping the Santa Fe tunnel may kickstart that.

I just looked at the sign permits and the "o" will be painted on.

In the picture above, the scaffolding for the brick is attached right where the o will go, so I suspect after they take that down they'll come back and patch and finish painting.

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BTW, as part of the St. Patrick's Day parade today, they delivered the "O" for the signs on this structure.

I have to just keep thinking about how far this project has come from that proposal everyone hated with all of the surface parking next to the building. :wink:

The Centennial has condos above retail in the Lower Bricktown and sold faster than any other condo project in OKC.

In fact, Mayor Mick lives there.

Those sold so fast and a such high prices that you'd think that would have spurred other, similar developments.

They had a substantial waiting list once they sold out, many of whom were interested in the Cotton Exchange.

I have to just keep thinking about how far this project has come from that proposal everyone hated with all of the surface parking next to the building. :wink:

For that we have the Bricktown committee members to thank. They've done a great job upholding standards. I wish the DDRC would take a page from their book.

For that we have the Bricktown committee members to thank. They've done a great job upholding standards. I wish the DDRC would take a page from their book.

You're right. More often than not, they do a very good job. It helps that Bricktown has a certain amount of clout that lends it a lot of independence from the rest of downtown's bad decisions. It's also worth bearing in mind that most everything that is "wrong with Bricktown" whatever that may be (I share urbanized's frustration regarding how this notion continues to take on a life of its own) is actually not "Historic Bricktown" proper and did not go before the Bricktown Urban Design Committee for approval.

JTF, I just noticed this old pic in the Cosmopolitan thread. This shows the original sidewalk width. At the very bottom of the image you can see how narrow it was between the planter and the grass. The grass edge is the property line to which the building has been built:

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

Yep, I went and looked at it the other day and you can see the original sidewalk between the building and the bridge. I guess why it seems so narrow is that you could spill over into the grass if you had to, which isn't an option now.

All this time I thought the logo with the missing letters was painted on and I was like, why would you paint those at a different times, but it's just the black box with white border that is painted on, the actual letters are some other material and bolted on. So those won't be weathering off any time soon...

From their FB page; says they will be open end of June:

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It's impressive how much of a difference more in-fill on the canal makes, even just visually.

Filling in the open spots continue to give it more of a san antonio feel.

Impressive pictures. Now if we can something right across the canal (hotel?) and directly to the south it will be an even more impressive. Bricktown is really coming together now!

This project is a great example of how something can feel much, much different once built than ever imagined through renderings and site plans.

Few were excited by this project initially, but now most seem impressed with it now that you can actually experience it in person.

Of course, the opposite can happen as well, where something disappoints when finally in place; but I think that is far less common.


So, I've adopted a new attitude about projects. I really just look for two things: 1. Be bold. Not just another boring, unimaginative building; and 2. Don't cheap-out.

If those two qualities are present, then I tend to trust everyone involved and usually am impressed by the final product.


Taking that perspective, I greatly look forward to the Flatiron Building addition. And I have to say, I would not be too concerned if 400 N. Walnut gets built as planned.

This project is a great example of how something can feel much, much different once built than ever imagined through renderings and site plans.

Few were excited by this project initially, but now most seem impressed with it now that you can actually experience it in person.

Of course, the opposite can happen as well, where something disappoints when finally in place; but I think that is far less common.


So, I've adopted a new attitude about projects. I really just look for two things: 1. Be bold. Not just another boring, unimaginative building; and 2. Don't cheap-out.

If those two qualities are present, then I tend to trust everyone involved and usually am impressed by the final product.


Taking that perspective, I greatly look forward to the Flatiron Building addition. And I have to say, I would not be too concerned if 400 N. Walnut gets built as planned.

Who owns the lot to the south of this? Hopefully the success of the Brickopolis will spur some development there, especially now that it appears the star flyer is dead. It's a deeper lot and is prime real estate on the corner of Reno and Mantle across from the Ball Park. Given the recent development boom in Bricktown, I feel like that lot should be pretty attractive to someone.

Who owns the lot to the south of this?

Avis Scaramucci.

^^^^^^^
That lot is also LARGER than the Brickopolis lot, though it seems hard to believe. until you look at it on a map. Something at least as impressive as Brickopolis could be built there.

This project is a great example of how something can feel much, much different once built than ever imagined through renderings and site plans.

Few were excited by this project initially, but now most seem impressed with it now that you can actually experience it in person.

Of course, the opposite can happen as well, where something disappoints when finally in place; but I think that is far less common.


So, I've adopted a new attitude about projects. I really just look for two things: 1. Be bold. Not just another boring, unimaginative building; and 2. Don't cheap-out.

If those two qualities are present, then I tend to trust everyone involved and usually am impressed by the final product.


Taking that perspective, I greatly look forward to the Flatiron Building addition. And I have to say, I would not be too concerned if 400 N. Walnut gets built as planned.

I like that.

How do you factor in whether a project builds up a site or breaks down a site? Given that we're mostly operated within an established already-urbanized area.

How do you factor in whether a project builds up a site or breaks down a site? Given that we're mostly operated within an established already-urbanized area.

Most often if someone is putting thought into the design and spending good money, that issue usually takes care of itself; at least for the most part.

This project is a great example of how something can feel much, much different once built than ever imagined through renderings and site plans.


So, I've adopted a new attitude about projects. I really just look for two things: 1. Be bold. Not just another boring, unimaginative building; and 2. Don't cheap-out.

What's interesting is that I'm not sure you can really even call this bold. IMO, it's a really safe design that works really well because of that. I think the major improvements from the initial renderings were a factor of scale and better land use. I think your #2 is what really came into play here. They found a way to not cheap out and avoided cheapen the site. They added real value to it and I imagine their return will be much improved, both in equity and operating income. If there is some boldness, I think it's that the tenant concept is 100% family oriented, which is a departure from just about everything else in bricktown. It's not an area that is unwelcoming to families (most of the time), but not much else has specifically targeted them. Some people may not be all that excited about that, but I think it's going to be very successful.

To me, it fits very nicely into Bricktown and is very suitable to the area. When I think of Bricktown, I think of low story brick buildings that at one time were warehouses or industrial. This fits.

Now as to the area around Core to Shore and my one criticism of the new Fairfield hotel being built there. Core to Shore doesn't seem to have a "there" there yet, so I would like to see something different from bricktown. Doesn't have to be crazy, but a nice mix of materials and more modern than Bricktown would be nice. I may be wrong and that area is more like Bricktown than I have noticed, but a distinctive look in that area would be welcom.

that was my exact thought regarding the new Fairfield Hotel downtown; it will be first-to-market and likely will define what the Core2Shore district will be for at least its first incarnation just the same way that Spaghetti Warehouse did for the first two incarnations of Bricktown (pre and post canal). I like everything with a brick theme in B-town but C2S could adopt something else more modern or even futuristic, giving downtown a balance of architecture schools and perhaps a wow factor for the district that's different from the others. ...

This project is really looking nice.

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Here's a bit I was wondering about from some previous pictures, and seeing it in person I'm still a bit confused. I hope the plan is to join the two parts of the walkway together instead of leaving them detached. On the north end of the building the street-level balcony connects to the sidewalk, so maybe this is still in-progress.
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^^^^^^^
Yes it is being tied to the alley bridge at street level. Work just started on that.