7 at Crown Heights
NW 37th and Olie Avenue (http://goo.gl/maps/bALPp)
owner=Brent Swift (http://www.brentswift.com)
Butzer Gardner Architects
finish=2012
7 residential units, including restoration of the art-deco 4-plex

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/7crownwiki1.jpg
Information & Latest News
Links
Downtown Housing Summary
Urban Project Summary
County Assessor Record (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R049484740)
Gallery

What incredible news. For at least 20 years I hoped and dreamed that whoever bought it would call me to restore but now I am too old for that size of project. I had driven down Western just yesterday, saw it and nearly cried at it's state. Thank the lord, it is now saved. WHEW, THAT was close, but we made it.

Sounds interesting. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Looks like this Brent Swift design/build is doing the project and they will be condos:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brent-Swift-Design-Build/114189231950651

Based on the photos, it looks like they have a history of doing some nice work.

I tried buying that to restore it. Although I wish I'd gotten it, I'm glad to see it saved.

I love this!

They are razing that old garage (you can see in aerials that it is collapsing from the top) but will repeat the dark brick elements around the top band to complement the existing 4-unit structure. And there will also be three new units and a total of 9 garage slots in that building.

Fantastic location and design.

And a lap pool. Gonna be ridiculously nice.

Bought for 350K (crazy)
Renovations 300K+?
Architect Fees 10k?

Total: 660K-750K?

Im assuming rent on those will run about $1,500+?
Someone help me out here.
Oh and I saw Stucco on the plans... Where is everyone that is usually complaining about stucco claiming how terrible it is???

Bought for 350K (crazy)
Renovations 300K+?
Architect Fees 10k?

Total: 660K-750K?

Im assuming rent on those will run about $1,500+?
Someone help me out here.
Oh and I saw Stucco on the plans... Where is everyone that is usually complaining about stucco claiming how terrible it is???

There is more property with this than just the 4-plex.

The new addition besides the 4-plex looks kind of similar to the new condos being built over by Classen SAS.

http://hphotos-snc6.fbcdn.net/229746_225132830856290_114189231950651_561555_3149 004_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284133_225132637522976_114189231950651_561553_2049 906_n.jpg

Bought for 350K (crazy)
Renovations 300K+?
Architect Fees 10k?

Total: 660K-750K?

Im assuming rent on those will run about $1,500+?
Someone help me out here.
Oh and I saw Stucco on the plans... Where is everyone that is usually complaining about stucco claiming how terrible it is???

Bought this and the place next door for $350. Renovations - $1mil+ I would guess.

It's not really much of a steal, I don't think. Both buildings are in tremendously bad shape.

Bought for 350K (crazy)
Renovations 300K+?
Architect Fees 10k?

Total: 660K-750K?

Im assuming rent on those will run about $1,500+?
Someone help me out here.
Oh and I saw Stucco on the plans... Where is everyone that is usually complaining about stucco claiming how terrible it is???

Most complaints about Stucco were related to commercial buildings, not residential dwellings.

Most "stucco" complaints were related to EIFS, the faux stucco.

I must say, I am disappointed so far with the design. There was no need to go postmodern on a deco bldg. It is better than nothin' I reckon, but I am sad at this point.

USG, remember that the main building -- the 4-plex -- will be completely restored to it's original glory.

The plans shown here are the replacement for the adjacent garage structure.

Thank goodness. That was not clear on their FB page. But still, it would seem that the new part would be more compatible with the original. But, I also know that it is all subjective. Thanks for clearing it up for me, Pete.

Brent Swift has done some great infill projects in Norman. Good to see him work on some in OKC as well.

Bought this and the place next door for $350. Renovations - $1mil+ I would guess.

It's not really much of a steal, I don't think. Both buildings are in tremendously bad shape.

If renovations are anywhere near $1mil+ I have a very hard time believing those will be able to lease... Hopefully Im wrong though, because when I am, you will find me doing more similar infill projects all over the city.

If renovations are anywhere near $1mil+ I have a very hard time believing those will be able to lease... Hopefully Im wrong though, because when I am, you will find me doing more similar infill projects all over the city.

The 4-plex is looking like condos, with the garage apts for-lease. I'm talking probably $1mil for the renovation of 4-plex plus garage/garage apts and the duplex next to the 4plex. $300k won't even finish the 4-plex in its condition. Maybe a million is pushing it, but throw in a lap pool(as proposed), and they have to be getting close.

If renovations are anywhere near $1mil+ I have a very hard time believing those will be able to lease... Hopefully Im wrong though, because when I am, you will find me doing more similar infill projects all over the city.

This isn't Ideal Homes.

That seems like a great project and I hope they can get it done. The Norman loft that Butzer Gardner did for Swift that was recently featured in Slice looks amazing. Best of luck to those guys.

This isn't Ideal Homes.

Thanks??

What was the asking price?

Thanks??

Well, what I meant is that clearly these will be upscale homes. It's in the middle of Crown Heights. Right off NW 36th in a really nice part of town. And they have awesome Art Deco historic merit, and the new building will be modern design. There will be a pool. And so on. So if they have new homes that are more expensive than your typical $120,000 Ideal Home in suburban places, and if there are many nice condos and townhomes downtown, then why not in between? The idea is that if you want to pay $400,000-1M for a new home, you shouldn't be confined to Edmond or the fringes of OKC limits.

That super modern design will surely stand out in Crown Heights.... but I don't care. Just glad theres some new development.
Actually, Im really glad someone isn't building a Crown Heights style home in a more urban neighborhood. OKCTalk would absolutely explode. But, its urban and trendy, so it doesn't matter if it fits in or not. Haha

You should check out some of the other Deco and 50s modern homes scattered around Crown Heights and similar neighborhoods. Good architecture is good architecture. Nobody has recently bemoaned the Bruce Goff home on NW 59th even though that definitely stands out. That used to be in terrible shape also until it was recently remodeled. Now that I think of it, we are just hemorrhaging all of this incredible architecture right now..it's kinda sad. But it's awesome that this building will be saved!

But if someone wanted to build something more traditional out of quality materials, I think that would be great. Just pick a vacant surface lot downtown and build the thing already!! lol

I tried buying that to restore it. Although I wish I'd gotten it, I'm glad to see it saved.
I never got a call back from them the times that I tried calling the number on the sign that was there forever.

The roof on the apartment building was caved in the southeast corner when I looked at it last year.

That looks really nice. I can't wait to see it when its finished.

That Brent Swift group does some great work. That loft on Film Row is stellar.

Norman builder plots condos in OKC’s Crown Heights
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 07:24 PM Wednesday, October 19, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – Norman builder Brent Swift plans to revive a historic Crown Heights Historic District art deco apartment building that has been vacant for decades.

The property’s garage was too far gone to be salvaged – the roof caved in after years of neglect – but Swift saw the potential to restore and rebuild the rest of it into seven high-end condominiums.

“It’s rich with history and a great opportunity to restore something back to original grandeur,” Swift said.

Swift acquired the empty brick fourplex at 1000 NW 37th St. and adjoining garage and duplex for $350,000 earlier this year. He’s partnered with architects Hans Butzer and Jeremy Gardner of Butzer-Gardner to restore most of the property to its original art deco design and build an extra structure on the back of the building to add three additional units. The new addition will have a more modern, sleek design, but will still fit with the art deco feel of the 1936 original building, Swift said.

The seven two-bedroom units will be anywhere from 850 square feet to 1,375 square feet and will range in price from about $169,000 to $279,000.

Swift has been acquiring and renovating historic properties in Norman for several years, but the Crown Heights property will be his first project in Oklahoma City.

If the condominium restoration goes well, he plans to look for more restoration projects in the city, he said.

“There’s a lot of opportunity, with all of the development that’s happening in the city,” Swift said. “I’ve been very impressed with Oklahoma City’s government structure that has really embraced redevelopment and there are just so many buildings out there that are just waiting to be restored.”

Catherine Montgomery, historic preservation architect for Oklahoma City, has had several people call and express interest in restoring the old apartment building over the past few years, she said.

The previous owner of the fourplex, Gene Von Stein, became motivated to sell the property after city officials attempted to declare the garage dilapidated and have it torn down, she said.

Although Swift could not save the garage part of the property in the end, the remainder of the structure has a bright future, Montgomery said.
“It’s unfortunate the garage had to come down, but as far as I can tell they’re doing a great job to respect the building and turn it into a great property,” Montgomery said.

The previous owner of the fourplex, Gene Von Stein, became motivated to sell the property after city officials attempted to declare the garage dilapidated and have it torn down.


I find this line very interesting and mostly important for much of the inner city re-development throughout Okc. The city stepped in and created the motivation for the owner to do something with his abandoned and deteriorating property.

Each and every one of us know of an inner city property that could use a little pressure from the city in order for the absentee owner to become motivated and either sell or make improvements to their properties.

There is an existing thread on this somewhere

‘Moldy Manor’ no more

An Art Deco fourplex gets a new owner after decades of neglect.

http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-13294-‘moldy-manor’-no-more.html

This is a fantastic project! Brent Swift only builds/re-builds/designs at the highest level! I do wonder about how OKC responds to condos vs. single family options (you can get a lot of square footage and a great yard in NW OKC for $170,000 which is the entry point for these. I do like that it seems that OKC is broadening their housing options and continue to evolve, the options should be as diverse as the people who live here!

Does anyone know if a website or sales office has been established for this project? I *might* be interested in one of the lower priced units.

adaniel : I have been considering it myself! I have been looking for single family but this may have everything I need....and with my budget - I will NOT be getting into Crown Heights unless its a project like this!

There is no sales office that I am aware of. Chris George with Churchill Brown is the realtor who is representing the condos on property. He would be your point of contact I would assume. I can say from experience he is great to work with and a very honest realtor! He helped me with my first home purchase, couldn't be more impressed!

email:
Chris@ChrisGeorgeHomes.com

http://www.chrisgeorgehomes.com/photos.php?property_ID=235464

Here are some hot off the press photos of the first completed building for this project! Brent Swift took the duplex which was included as I understand in the purchase of the Art Deco fourplex and transformed it first - I assume because of all the buildings it could be done quickly and begin generating revenue on the project. I love what he has done here and I think it speaks to the types of finishes that you will find in the rest of his project.

The cabinets and many of the color choices and aesthetic are very much in keeping with his past projects. I think we will have a real gem in Crown Heights once he is finished!

Is that duplex $329K for both units?

Fantastic finishes and design... Swift does a great job and if all these units get snapped up, I hope he and others like him will do more of these projects.

I believe that the price is for both units. Someone could easily live in one and rent out the other, they are nice enough to bring a pretty hefty rent rate.

His design, finishes, and also building quality is outstanding! I am so glad that he is looking to OKC to expand his business!

Bought this and the place next door for $350. Renovations - $1mil+ I would guess.

It's not really much of a steal, I don't think. Both buildings are in tremendously bad shape.

I don't really feel that the building was a "steal". More importantly the building is historically and architecturally important to Crown Heights and to NW OKC. Because of this I think that he will be able to get more than $200 per sq foot which means they will come out ahead.

adaniel : I have been considering it myself! I have been looking for single family but this may have everything I need....and with my budget - I will NOT be getting into Crown Heights unless its a project like this!

There is no sales office that I am aware of. Chris George with Churchill Brown is the realtor who is representing the condos on property. He would be your point of contact I would assume. I can say from experience he is great to work with and a very honest realtor! He helped me with my first home purchase, couldn't be more impressed!

email:
Chris@ChrisGeorgeHomes.com

Thank you for the contact info MidCenturyMod. I'm with you that I love Crown Heights and Edgemere Park but its gentrified to the point of pricing out young professionals like myself.

I want to see how my finances are at the end of the year but if everything looks alright I am going to try and get a place, hopefully in that part of the city.

This project continues to move at a great pace! I usually use my weekends to check up on what interests me around town and even on Sat. and Sundays they have full crews making progress! According to the real estate agent, Chris George with Churchill Brown, they are waiting to release more info until the condos have taken more shape. Probably a good plan since demanding a high sq footage price usually requires proof of the best finishes. However I was hoping that there would be some room for customization and I am not sure whether or not there will be any.

For those of you who have kept up with this outstanding remodel it looks like the Condos in the main 4-plex have been put on the market. As I originally suggested Chris George with Churchill-Brown has the listings.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1000-Nw-37th-St_Oklahoma-City_OK_73118_M88403-55036?ex=OK545190891

Thank you Pete! I couldn't find a good way to link people to information. I guess we should not be surprised by the price points but I can't say that I am not!

This was taken a week ago, but there is concrete going in just next to these, not sure why...

http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A3zy1BJYAKs/TzH5oKkHtUI/AAAAAAAAQi0/gOQf-VVQL1U/s640/IMAG0249.jpg


(i don't mean the concrete driveway that has been there for the furniture stores BTW)

As part of the plan, they are constructing an additional structure on the site. If you look back on the first page shawn, there are a few renderings posted. That should clear things up.

I see. Well, I should get a good look at the progress. I'm in that parking lot every Tuesday.

This is a fantastic development! The cost of these units definitely means they are going high-end! But I will say that there is a mid-century modern and historical cool feeling that nothing new and shiny and modern downtown can touch! These really are one of a kind in OKC!

Taken from my iPhone last Friday.

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/crown1.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/crown2.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/crown3.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/crown4.jpg

THANKS METRO! Great pics!

Steel is going up:

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nNiFaRcXg_Q/T03Cc2C39NI/AAAAAAAAQrs/YNuYb_Tffg0/s800/IMAG0279.jpg

New renderings from Brent Swift; the project is now called 7 at Crown Heights:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/430277_335565059813066_114189231950651_838538_1597 129268_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/429443_335565069813065_114189231950651_838539_1407 912996_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/422822_335565089813063_114189231950651_838540_7341 97574_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/432363_335565099813062_114189231950651_838541_8628 31841_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/422579_335565109813061_114189231950651_838542_1877 374919_n.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=335565136479725&set=a.335564496479789.66642.114189231950651&type=3&theater

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/424959_335566733146232_114189231950651_838545_2467 89157_n.jpg

Moving along pretty quickly...

http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PvryQ9Zx5NM/T1b8Qxh_XuI/AAAAAAAAQso/BOaVJyIC3-I/s400/IMAG0285-1.jpg

Kind of jealous over the swimming pool, but I paid less per square foot to live downtown and I will definitely have lower utility prices, since this is stick built. It looks nice, though.

4/3/12

1180

1181

4/17/12

1230

Good article in the Oklahoman:

http://newsok.com/article/3666073

Very nice property I wish I was the one listing it.

I think I saw Don Draper in one of those renderings.