Chris Johnson submitted his formal application to the Bricktown Design Review Committee today -- this is just for the portion east of the canal (the most recent renderings we've posted).

Calls for 15,577 on three levels (remember there is a lower level along the canal) and six covered parking spaces.

So it is not a parking garage? A regular 3 story building? That is much better.

It's just as shown in the one rendering... Two levels above ground and one at canal level.

The south end of the middle level is essentially a small covered parking area.

This looks much better than the original.

Detailed drawings for this project in advance of the 8/14 Bricktown Design Review Committee.

OKC Planning staff has recommended approval.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/wikiphotos/bedlam8613a.jpg

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Some things of note:


Street level and canal level will be for the restaurant.
Apparel will also be sold on street level, as will tickets for the water taxi.
Third level (second above street) shows "laser tag" and "redemption games" (I suppose this is the Dave & Buster -esque use they had previously proposed).
Although there is a walkway at canal and street levels, it doesn't appear that there will be any sort of outdoor dining / patio, which is a shame.

Those are some incredibly expensive parking spaces. It's baffling why he insists on having them and losing that much leasable space.

Everyone that builds on the canal seems incredibly intent on ignoring it. Why would you not include a patio facing the canal if you we're building on it?!? I can't think of any reason.

I know they wanted the drive-thru for valet parking.

Some things of note:


Street level and canal level will be for the restaurant.
Apparel will also be sold on street level, as will tickets for the water taxi.
Third level (second above street) shows "laser tag" and "redemption games" (I suppose this is the Dave & Buster -esque use they had previously proposed).
Although there is a walkway at canal and street levels, it doesn't appear that there will be any sort of outdoor dining / patio, which is a shame.


eh, I bet they will have some kind of patio dining out there, looks like there will be some space left over for it. Will certainly be disappointing if they don't, but hey at least there will actually be a restaurant on the canal level. That makes what...3? In the words of Alex Trebek (Will Ferrell) on Celebrity Jeopardy... "Simply Stunning"

Also note this is for only the very small piece of land (.2067 acres) on the east side of the canal.

Johnson also owns the larger plot (.5624 acres) directly west and on the other side of the canal.


No plans for that at this time but we keep hearing he's trying to work out a deal for a small hotel.

Also note this is for only the very small piece of land (.2067 acres) on the east side of the canal.

Johnson also owns the larger plot (.5624 acres) directly west and on the other side of the canal.


No plans for that at this time but we keep hearing he's trying to work out a deal for a small hotel.

If they could swing some type of hotel with restaurants/bars on the canal level, that would be huge. That corner is probably one of the most prime pieces of real estate downtown, I'm glad he didn't succeed in turning a large part of it into surface parking as originally intended.

I'm starting to really like this plan and believe it represents a good compromise.

It will add a restaurant and life to both the street and canal level, there will be some retail and the games on the top floor will be a great added attraction to the area.


Don't look now, but Bricktown is starting to head for the next level:

1. Significant housing coming in the form of the East Bricktown apartments, the Mideke Building and probably Rock Island Plow, among others.
2. 2 hotels open, 2 more under construction and possibly four more on the way.
3. Academy of Contemporary Music booming and adding life, young people and live music
4. Still over 30 restaurants and bars thriving
5. Lots more on the drawing boards

I've been amazed at the dramatic increase in foot traffic in Bricktown, seemingly over the past year. This will only increase with all thats planned. Car traffic is up too, unfortunately! I think the streetcar will be able to help with the car congestion, though, as I believe people will quickly learn to park somewhere in the area and use the streetcar to move between destinations.

2. 2 hotels open, 2 more under construction and possibly four more on the way.

The two hotels that are open and the Hampton and the Residence Inn. I only know of one under construction and that is the Hilton next to the Hampton unless you are talking about the Aloft hotel. The possible four are the Staybridge, Springhill, East Bricktown area and one more where? Help me close up some holes.

The two hotels that are open and the Hampton and the Residence Inn. I only know of one under construction and that is the Hilton next to the Hampton unless you are talking about the Aloft hotel. The possible four are the Staybridge, Springhill, East Bricktown area and one more where? Help me close up some holes.

This is where the summary articles come in handy! :)

Downtown Hotel Summary - OKCTalk (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Downtown+Hotel+Summary)

Those are some incredibly expensive parking spaces. It's baffling why he insists on having them and losing that much leasable space.

Yes, but it looks like it would be easy to close in for finished space when it becomes too valuable to ignore. Valet parking can be pretty profitable though. At least this is behind a finished out building facade and doesn't destroy the street-wall.

I've been amazed at the dramatic increase in foot traffic in Bricktown, seemingly over the past year. This will only increase with all thats planned. Car traffic is up too, unfortunately! I think the streetcar will be able to help with the car congestion, though, as I believe people will quickly learn to park somewhere in the area and use the streetcar to move between destinations.

I took my son to a party at Rocktown on Saturday afternoon and was surprised at all foot traffic in Bricktown. Although this new proposal is not ideal, I think it is certainly better than what was originally proposed. I would think that a restaurant, retail store and laser tag should all get plenty of business if properly run.

Yes, but it looks like it would be easy to close in for finished space when it becomes too valuable to ignore. Valet parking can be pretty profitable though. At least this is behind a finished out building facade and doesn't destroy the street-wall.

Indeed the only redeeming quality with the parking area is that it can reclaimed with little effort.

Bricktown is likely to change quite a bit once the big residential and hotel projects open in the district and in Deep Deuce.

BT has always been a place people had to drive to... Soon, there will be tons of people coming from all the new units in DD and within Bricktown itself, plus Aloft and the new Homewood Suites are quite large, and of course more rooms are on their way.

I bet we'll start to see more places like Skinny Slims that cater to the locals and the immediate neighborhood.

Also, Bricktown and Deep Deuce will be more directly linked through development along their common border.

I've been amazed at the dramatic increase in foot traffic in Bricktown, seemingly over the past year. This will only increase with all thats planned. Car traffic is up too, unfortunately! I think the streetcar will be able to help with the car congestion, though, as I believe people will quickly learn to park somewhere in the area and use the streetcar to move between destinations.

I've definitely noticed how crowded and busy Bricktown has been, especially this summer compared to last. With KD's likely to be a huge hit (I already have cousins in Dallas who want to come up) it may be high time to start discussing improving that giant parking lot behind Harkins. I think a mixed use parking garage would go great right there.

The two hotels that are open and the Hampton and the Residence Inn. I only know of one under construction and that is the Hilton next to the Hampton unless you are talking about the Aloft hotel. The possible four are the Staybridge, Springhill, East Bricktown area and one more where? Help me close up some holes.

Holiday Inn

I've definitely noticed how crowded and busy Bricktown has been, especially this summer compared to last. With KD's likely to be a huge hit (I already have cousins in Dallas who want to come up) it may be high time to start discussing improving that giant parking lot behind Harkins. I think a mixed use parking garage would go great right there.A mixed used garage? Are you talking like retail on the ground level, 5-8 stories of parking and another 2-3 stories of housing??? That would be sick!!!!!!!!!!

I've been amazed at the dramatic increase in foot traffic in Bricktown, seemingly over the past year. This will only increase with all thats planned. Car traffic is up too, unfortunately! I think the streetcar will be able to help with the car congestion, though, as I believe people will quickly learn to park somewhere in the area and use the streetcar to move between destinations.

4 of us was down there Saturday evening. Had to hunt around for a restaurant that was not an hour wait. Went to the ballgame for about 4 innings, then rode the water taxi's. Everything was packed and crowded.....we were trying to figure out why so many folks were down there.

A mixed used garage? Are you talking like retail on the ground level, 5-8 stories of parking and another 2-3 stories of housing??? That would be sick!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, not even new strip malls and corporate parks get you this excited

Wow, not even new strip malls and corporate parks get you this excitedWell, OKC needs a good mixed used garage and it would be great to see this land developed to something better.
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A construction fence around the perimeter of this project is up.

No more rolling down the canal side grassy hill.

A construction fence around the perimeter of this project is up.

No more rolling down the canal side grassy hill.

this will be great for bricktown and for that street

this will be great for bricktown and for that street

I hated the original proposal, but I'm surprisingly satisfied with the revised plan.

I know they wanted the drive-thru for valet parking.
The couple times I met with him, he repeatedly mentioned how much money could be made off of Valet Parking in Bricktown. I bet that was his motive for the parking lot.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BSYEfE1CYAAZ1fl.jpg

Fencing in the hydrant? Nice...

New rendering of this project; this is the east elevation as it fronts Walnut / Mickey Mantle.

No significant changes. Set for final design review on 9/11.



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Not bad, congrats to the developer Chris Johnson for getting it now.

It is safe to say his renovation of the old Joker's Comedy Club on Sheridan has been put on hold?

It's not bad, but I still can't help feeling disappointed that this is it for that corner.

It is safe to say his renovation of the old Joker's Comedy Club on Sheridan has been put on hold?

I don't see it on the next agenda.

It's not bad, but I still can't help feeling disappointed that this is it for that corner.

I actually really like this, but you're right, something like the Cotton Exchange would've been nice. We've still got a shot at something really cool with the potential hotel in the big lot across the canal and there is still open space to the south of this on Mickey Mantle and Reno.

I actually really like this, but you're right, something like the Cotton Exchange would've been nice. We've still got a shot at something really cool with the potential hotel in the big lot across the canal and there is still open space to the south of this on Mickey Mantle and Reno.

That's true, and I do like this most recent potential. It just struck me as another opportunity where we settled. Hopefully we see some really great work on the other sites you mentioned. Several more chances to really hit home runs.

That's true, and I do like this most recent potential. It just struck me as another opportunity where we settled. Hopefully we see some really great work on the other sites you mentioned. Several more chances to really hit home runs.

A home run project on either or both of those sites will go a long way toward making this project look better. I don't think we settled that much though, we got a lot better project than the original rendering. Anything resembling that mess would have no doubt been settling.

Anything resembling that mess would have been giving up.

From what I can see I like it - a lot. This is way better than anything else he proposed. The only negative I see is that he is matching the galvanized steel rails already along the canal. It looks like the city went cheap on that item back in the day and now it is the standard (that is a teachable moment for someone). I really like that the sign is being painted on the building to match the historic character of the district. With only 4 parking spaces I guess the valet parking will be off-site. Any idea where that will be? The laser tag is also a good idea. My kids alone could fund that operation.

From what I can see I like it - a lot. This is way better than anything else he proposed. The only negative I see is that he is matching the galvanized steel rails already along the canal. It looks like the city went cheap on that item back in the day and now it is the standard (that is a teachable moment for someone). I really like that the sign is being painted on the building to match the historic character of the district. With only 4 parking spaces I guess the valet parking will be off-site. Any idea where that will be? The laser tag is also a good idea. My kids alone could fund that operation.

One of the few kid-oriented activities in this family district. Ironic.

I would like to see the trees swapped. They should be on the east side of the pedestrian, not against the building.

Good catch. Trees belong between the sidewalk and the street.

Good catch. Trees belong between the sidewalk and the street.

all of the trees on that side of the street are located in the same spots between the sidewalk and the building ... i'm sure that was one of the reasons for this design and why it will be approved

There could be a reason, and that reason could be "we just didn't think about it".

What is the curb cut that goes to the middle of the building?

What is the curb cut that goes to the middle of the building?

From the article above:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/urban-development-buildings/4260d1375821904-house-bedlam-bedlam8613i.jpg

One of the few kid-oriented activities in this family district. Ironic.

Huh?

There could be a reason, and that reason could be "we just didn't think about it".

More often than not...

From the article above:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/urban-development-buildings/4260d1375821904-house-bedlam-bedlam8613i.jpg

Derp. Duh. Don't take 4 hour naps in the middle of the day.

Good catch. Trees belong between the sidewalk and the street.
The city thought differently when we were doing JDM Place, they wanted the landscape strip next to the building and the walk along the street.

It's not bad, but I still can't help feeling disappointed that this is it for that corner.
This is not the corner. This is the narrow strip of land on Mickey Mantle. What nobody seems to get is that this is intended to be the piece that unlocks the development across the canal (on the "corner" of land that held the bulk of the Cotton Exchange development. That is the reason for the curb cut, that is the reason for the pull-through on the first floor, and related to the reasons he was looking at parking inside the old Jokers building. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be cryptic, but I don't really feel like it's my place to divulge details. Let me just say that NONE of the posters in this thread have fully put two and two together on this stuff.

So, do you have some information on a development across the canal that would require parking services? Hotel, maybe?

The rumor about a hotel just west and on the other side of the canal has grown in intensity over the last couple of months.

I know he's trying to put such a deal together but not sure who might be the operator.


Still, using this project as a drop-off point for hotel guests doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense.

First of all, the proposed hotel property is well-served by an alley just to the south and secondly, hotel guests are going to be somehow checked in at the House of Bedlam then have themselves and luggage walked across the canal -- or around it -- to the hotel itself??

I don't see how this project will "unlock" the other development but clearly Urbanized knows more about this than we do.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/urban-development-buildings/4260d1375821904-house-bedlam-bedlam8613i.jpg

Again, not my place to divulge specifics, and frankly I think Chris is still working on plans/partners and isn't 100% on anything yet. But I do know he is working aggressively to develop across the canal.

But this building (House of Bedlam) HAS to be designed in such a way that it doesn't land lock the property across the canal. Limiting that property to alley-only access would be devastating to its development prospects. If HOB was designed stand-alone without consideration to the property across the canal, it would render the other spot nearly impossible to develop to its full potential. HOB could be a better building than it is if looking at it as a stand-alone, but if the net effect was to diminish options on the key piece across the canal, it would be bad for Johnson and for Bricktown. Nobody seems to consider this when analyzing the designs for HOB.

Right, but this particular project has already been approved and is under construction. And it does not seem to relate in any way to the property across the canal.

Furthermore, the property to the west has easy access through the alley. If there was a hotel there, it would certainly be taller than this project and thus visible from Mickey Mantle (and of course, the canal), and at the same time have good access through Wanda Jackson Way.

With the Cotton Exchange proposal, there was to be a much larger structure on the land now being developed for House of Bedlam and it certainly didn't seem to be any sort of constraint on the much larger property to the west:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/wikiphotos/cottonexchange1.jpg

Very intriguing Urbanized. That ought to get people talking and speculating. I was thinking it might require something as simple as a bridge across the canal to reach the other development, but after your last post, I am not so sure....

You said it yourself, Pete. It does not SEEM to relate to the property across the canal. But that is because nobody has been looking for it to. It will be key in the development of the property across the way, should it happen. Urbanized out.

Why can't he just deed some land to city and widen the alley where it crosses the canal?