View Full Version : Main Street Arcade
G.Walker 01-05-2012, 03:23 PM address=629 W. Main (http://g.co/maps/8c9py)
owner= David Wanzer
finish=1936
sq. feet=29,852
acerage=.3627
|image=http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arcadewiki1.jpg
Information & Latest News
1/29/14: Wanzer buys, plans renovation (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-developer-purchases-two-neglected-buildings/article/3928526)
5/22/12: Application before the Downtown Design Review Committee to replace windows and storefronts; will be heard 6/21/12.
Links
County Assessor Record (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R013682340)
Gallery
UnFrSaKn 01-05-2012, 03:39 PM Map (http://bit.ly/zajn9F)
Steve 01-05-2012, 03:50 PM R.D. and Scott Smith - Cosair Cattle Co. - own the building.
That building was bought from the Baptist Church in 2009 by a local invetment/development firm called Corsair.
Corsair owns a bunch of properties in the downtown and midtown areas.
http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2731/R013682340001sA.jpg
G.Walker 01-05-2012, 04:03 PM Imagine lofts upstairs, and retail at ground level...notice how the building curves at the corner to compliment the street corner, nice....
Steve 01-05-2012, 04:32 PM One can look at the Corsair track record the past 20 years and see two brothers who buy properties and let them sit for years, with no improvements, until they sell at much higher prices than for which they were bought (evidence: Packard Building on NW 10), or see a pair who have taken a chance on buying up risky old properties and have brought in cool new development (evidence: Ludevine in MidTown).
Don't they also own the Elemental Coffee building?
I know they recently started renovation on a small office building in Midtown.
Urban Pioneer 01-05-2012, 05:08 PM or see a pair who have taken a chance on buying up risky old properties and have brought in cool new development (evidence: Ludevine in MidTown).
Also, our former office site, 228 2nd Street in Deep Deuce- now Sage and apartments.
Don't they also own the Elemental Coffee building?
Yes
Urbanized 01-05-2012, 05:47 PM And owned the Plaza Court (now McNellie's, Irma's, YMCA) and the buildings on the NW corner of 13th and Robinson. While I know they hold onto buildings for a long time and don't seem to take on much of the development themselves, I also think it is encouraging that they rarely if ever seem to tear down good historic stock, and ultimately sell to people who do a good job renovating it.
That building (Main Street Arcade) might be my favorite old building in downtown; certainly my favorite that hasn't been renovated. I have secretly dreamed for years of owning it. One of the few buildings in downtown that absolutely feels like the turn of the twentieth century.
Maybe the new streetscape along Main will prompt someone to take it on, and to restore the historic retail window openings on the street level. New streetscapes seem to have a way of doing that.
Steve 01-05-2012, 06:31 PM Plaza Court is not Cosair's work - all they did was lease a single space to Subway before selling it to Greg Banta/Bob Howard
Spartan 01-05-2012, 07:53 PM Well, we can rest assured either way that Corsair is not going to renovate this building. I've always thought that building had Plaza Court written all over it. It would make a smashing rehabilitation, and could use a bright neon sign on the roof (imagine how it would enhance the skyline view from the perspective further down Main).
Wasn't this site also just identified as one of the potential parking garage locations?
Steve 01-05-2012, 08:13 PM Well, we can rest assured either way that Corsair is not going to renovate this building....
A couple of years ago I would have agreed with you. But with the other projects they've done more recently, maybe I was wrong. Truth be told, I've not made a good effort to meet the two, ask them about their thoughts and ideas. And that's my bad.
metro 01-05-2012, 11:21 PM And owned the Plaza Court (now McNellie's, Irma's, YMCA) and the buildings on the NW corner of 13th and Robinson. While I know they hold onto buildings for a long time and don't seem to take on much of the development themselves, I also think it is encouraging that they rarely if ever seem to tear down good historic stock, and ultimately sell to people who do a good job renovating it.
That building (Main Street Arcade) might be my favorite old building in downtown; certainly my favorite that hasn't been renovated. I have secretly dreamed for years of owning it. One of the few buildings in downtown that absolutely feels like the turn of the twentieth century.
Maybe the new streetscape along Main will prompt someone to take it on, and to restore the historic retail window openings on the street level. New streetscapes seem to have a way of doing that.
I've always thought the exact same.
BoulderSooner 01-06-2012, 07:03 AM Plaza Court is not Cosair's work - all they did was lease a single space to Subway before selling it to Greg Banta/Bob Howard
they had the mcnellies deal done in principle before they sold to banta ...... and they also have owned the building just east of plaza court (fully leased) for about 20 years ..
BoulderSooner 01-06-2012, 07:04 AM A couple of years ago I would have agreed with you. But with the other projects they've done more recently, maybe I was wrong. Truth be told, I've not made a good effort to meet the two, ask them about their thoughts and ideas. And that's my bad.
i don't think they would have any desire to meet with the press ... and or share any of their ideas
Rover 01-06-2012, 07:51 AM Are you being cynical or do you know them?
Urbanized 01-09-2012, 04:51 PM Plaza Court is not Cosair's work - all they did was lease a single space to Subway before selling it to Greg Banta/Bob Howard
I didn't say it was their work; neither are the buildings on the NW corner of 13th and Rob. The point I was making is that they at one point OWNED the buildings (in some cases for extended and sometimes frustratingly inactive periods), but I'm not aware of any real penchant they have for tearing down old buildings. This bodes well for Main Street Arcade, in my opinion.
I don't know if you can go so far as to credit them as being caretakers, but many if not most of those buildings would have been torn down without a second thought by many, or even most other owners. Now they are buildings that are restored or in the process of restoration. A few of the buildings formerly owned by them have become some of the more interesting and inspiring small-to-medium revitalization projects in downtown over the past decade. Those buildings all could have met much, much worse fates than being owned by Corsair.
Steve 01-09-2012, 10:51 PM true
Doug Loudenback 01-11-2012, 12:35 AM Here's some history on the origins and early uses of this building. The County Assessor's on-line records (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R013682340) show a couple of images and indicates that this property was constructed in 1936 and contains 29,852 square feet.
That construction date is wrong. A 1920 Oklahoman article reflects that the property was built in 1920 for the exclusive use of "little shops". A 1922 Oklahoman advertisement/prospectus gives further description.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/mainstreetarcade1.jpg
A May 1923 full page ad shows that the 2nd floor of the property became occupied by Hills Business College.
Click image for full-sized view
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/mainstreetarcade2_800.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/mainstreetarcade2.jpg)
The property was acquired by the Downtown Baptist Church in 1934, and in 1938, and apparently for many years thereafter, the property was the home of the Downtown Baptist Church.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/mainstreetarcade3.jpg
That's as far as I went in my research.
Jim Kyle 01-11-2012, 09:54 AM As it happens, Downtown was my wife's home church and Rev. Cook performed our marriage ceremony. Jo's grandfather was a long-time deacon there, and I've helped count the offering many a Sunday morning. I wasn't aware that the church had finally sold the building; we hadn't been active there since Cook's death, and many of the original members have either died or moved to the suburbs (as we did) and found the distance to downtown too far to drive.
Jo tells me that the top floor, where everything other than the pastor's office and the food room was located, was a roller skating rink and had a boxing ring, before the church bought the property. The food room, located in that great corner area, handed out food parcels to the needy, and also served hot meals. We helped serve one Thanksgiving Dinner there back in the 70s. The church also sponsored Grace Rescue Mission, which was located a few blocks away in the California-Reno area until Urban Renewal forced it to move; after relocating to a building in Stockyards City the mission sort of faded into nothingness...
Doug, you might search for more about W.E. Cook -- he was a real character, almost the stereotype of the fire-breathing hard-shell Baptist minister, but also one of the most compassionate people I've ever met. Look especially for stories of his shouting matches with George Miskovsky on the sidewalk of the main business district, and his PA problems with beer joints near the mission! There's another blog item there for you, but I'm much too close to the subject to write it...
Great news: application before the Downtown Design Review Committee to replace all the windows and put new storefronts in this cool old building.
I'm sure their plan is to market the property for lease and I bet they find some takers.
Urbanized 05-22-2012, 04:44 PM Man, I wish I could do something there. That building has been one of my favorites downtown for years. A nice vibe going on over there these days with P180 and Film Row. You can see the Main Street Arcade from Joey's Pizzaria on Film Row. That whole area has such potential.
Big plans to renovate this awesome building. Note the addition of all glass at ground level and also the restoration of the transom windows above the canopy.
Can't wait to see what this looks like when finished -- it really is a gem on a very visible corner and an important link between Film Row and the Arts District.
http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2731/R013682340001sA.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/629main.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/629main1.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/629main2.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/629main3.jpg
Just the facts 07-15-2012, 08:56 PM Very cool. I wonder if they have any plans for the second floor because residential would be very nice and would provide customers for all those new store fronts.
Under intended use, their application states: "Commercial lease space". I don't think residential is part of the plan.
BUT, residential is needed in that area and there are still tons of vacant building and lots. I'm sure we'll see some apartments soon.
Here's a bit of history on the building:
"The original two-story 29,852 sq ft masonry structure was built in 1936. Sanborn
Maps of 1922 and 1950 indicate that the structure had been occupied by a Lodge
Hall, Printing Store, Restaurant, a Business College, various retail shops, and
more recently, the Downtown Baptist Church.
The structure has been identified Downtown Oklahoma City Intensive Survey,
Phase 1 as a historic resource eligible to be included in a potential historic district."
Just the facts 07-15-2012, 09:38 PM Under intended use, their application states: "Commercial lease space". I don't think residential is part of the plan.
You can't win them all I guess. I am really surprised that a midrise arts-fartsy tower has not been built on one of the surface parking lots between Main and Colcord Dr. I would think the arts and croissant crowd would love living in close proximity to much of the arts that they fund through philanthropy. Maybe OKC's problem is that the upper-crust is not urban enough (yet).
Remember The Montgomery and The Legacy in that area are both still pretty new but also both very well leased.
I'm sure we'll see more residential in that area soon.
DirtLaw 07-15-2012, 09:48 PM You can't win them all I guess. I am really surprised that a midrise arts-fartsy tower has not been built on one of the surface parking lots between Main and Colcord Dr. I would think the arts and croissant crowd would love living in close proximity to much of the arts that they fund through philanthropy. Maybe OKC's problem is that the upper-crust is not urban enough (yet).
There is one mixed use development between main and colcord just west of Walker. I think the problem is that the Montgomery has a lot or residential and this part of downtown is not ready for that much residential. Hopefully soon!! I have always thought that this portion of downtown could be amazing!
BoulderSooner 07-16-2012, 07:14 AM There is one mixed use development between main and colcord just west of Walker. I think the problem is that the Montgomery has a lot or residential and this part of downtown is not ready for that much residential. Hopefully soon!! I have always thought that this portion of downtown could be amazing!
what?
the short term hope for more residential is the new city parking garage with residential on top .. just a block east of this site
Urbanized 07-16-2012, 10:00 AM 1936? I'm really surprised by that. The design of the building seems to me to be more like something from the turn of the 20th Century through maybe the early twenties. I had always suspected it was older.
Jim Kyle 07-16-2012, 11:20 AM Read Doug's comments back on page 1 of this thread. The assessor's information is incorrect; the building was built in 1922, and housed Hill's Business College in the late 20s per an ad that Doug included in his post. Downtown Baptist Church members bought it in 1934 but held it as individuals for a short time before deeding it to the church. And the description as having two floors is also incorrect; it was more like 2.5 because of a mezzanine where the original sanctuary was located...
Urbanized 07-16-2012, 11:49 AM Thanks for confirming that Jim. The design surely says very early twentieth century. I think that building perhaps more than all but two or three left in this city evokes a different time more than any other. So glad to hear there are plans for it.
Spartan 07-16-2012, 10:08 PM There is one mixed use development between main and colcord just west of Walker. I think the problem is that the Montgomery has a lot or residential and this part of downtown is not ready for that much residential. Hopefully soon!! I have always thought that this portion of downtown could be amazing!
Are you referring to the brick condo with a gate along Main? If so, that's just one unit, and the Montgomery has done quite well. I tend to think that proven areas are best for residential development. Downtown's west side has Devon, the new elementary, most cultural amenities, so it is a natural fit for residential - I almost already think of it as the shadier, quieter, more upscale side of downtown. Too bad Trattoria went away.
This project is fantastic. I am elated to see that they're renovating this fantastic property, and I'm extremely curious as to who is renovating this. Surely not Corsair?
Spartan 07-16-2012, 10:30 PM Wow. Someone help me pick my jaw off the floor...
Way to go Corsair.
UnFrSaKn 02-08-2013, 10:49 AM Main Street Arcade Renovation Starting? | OKC Central (http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2013/02/04/main-street-arcade-renovation-starting/)
UnFrSaKn 02-08-2013, 10:58 AM I like Hills Business Colleges old location better.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Main%20Street%20Arcade/d602b76a5d8480dc8bac6dd899e8520b.jpg
Main & Broadway
1908
UnFrSaKn 02-08-2013, 11:06 AM http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Main%20Street%20Arcade/a52c974b0b4df3e0b0e86170b7006cdf.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Main%20Street%20Arcade/5b4331630edc7d3b44622f41fd3f533d.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/W%20Main%20St/21412M8022BarneyHillermanCollection-Photographs-Box2HILLSBUSINESSUNIVERSITY619WMAINSTOKLAHOMACITYB YMEYERSPHOTOSHOPJan1952.jpg
HangryHippo 02-08-2013, 11:11 AM I like Hills Business Colleges old location better.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Main%20Street%20Arcade/d602b76a5d8480dc8bac6dd899e8520b.jpg
Main & Broadway
1908
I wish this building was still here.
Larry OKC 02-08-2013, 01:24 PM Are there any pictures of the interior? Arcade seems to also refer to an architectural style where a building is composed of a series of archways and/or columns ... kind of similar to the exterior of the business college's previous location pic but on the inside???
HOT ROD 02-09-2013, 04:02 PM I wish this building was still here.
Totally agree!
Heard work has started on this renovation project...
Can anyone confirm?
HangryHippo 05-17-2013, 03:36 PM Heard work has started on this renovation project...
Can anyone confirm?
Yep, it's not much, but there's definitely something going on.
UnFrSaKn 07-12-2013, 10:57 PM http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/9272692898_8fe60b3511_b.jpg
This is fantastic news as David Wanzer is a great developer and designer.
Such a beautiful, cool building and it will finally be in the hands of someone who will get the renovation done, and do it the right way.
Oklahoma City developer purchases two neglected buildings | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-developer-purchases-two-neglected-buildings/article/3928526)
JRod1980 01-29-2014, 11:11 PM Glad to see this building finally be renovated. This was the last building we looked for FlashBack RetroPub, before turning to The Rise in Uptown District. We walked the upstairs part of the building that has some of the original wooden floors and it was very cool to see.
Urbanized 01-30-2014, 12:06 AM This is fantastic news as David Wanzer is a great developer and designer.
Such a beautiful, cool building and it will finally be in the hands of someone who will get the renovation done, and do it the right way.
Oklahoma City developer purchases two neglected buildings | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-developer-purchases-two-neglected-buildings/article/3928526)
+1. I'm a big fan of David, who is also just a good dude.
Spartan 01-30-2014, 10:04 AM Now this is finally legit. Have to scratch my head why we (including myself) thought it was before. Good to get Corsair out of the way here, like w the Plaza Court, something transformative can happen here.
David Wanzer told me today that this project will be not be fast-moving as they put together a strategy and game plan.
But the main thing is that it will be done right.
Urbanized 02-27-2014, 09:13 AM He was kind enough to give me a tour of the building a couple of weeks ago. It confirmed my belief that the building has enormous potential. And also that David is the right guy to lead the project. It's obviously a labor of love for him and regardless of what happens there it will be done right. It's always good to see people who actually care about special buildings gain control of them.
At the Mayor's Development Roundtable this morning David Wanzer said they will starting leasing this building next month with renovations to begin later in the year.
Plutonic Panda 05-07-2014, 03:49 PM I know this might be an amateur question here, but is there any chance they'd restore it into an arcade? How cool would it be to have a classic arcade of this size? I don't know of any like it around.
catch22 05-07-2014, 03:51 PM I know this might be an amateur question here, but is there any chance they'd restore it into an arcade? How cool would it be to have a classic arcade of this size? I don't know of any like it around.
While I think it's a cool idea, (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) "Arcade" is the architectural style of the building, not what it's use was in the past. (it could have been both though)
While I think it's a cool idea, (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) "Arcade" is the architectural style of the building, not what it's use was in the past. (it could have been both though)
Right, "arcade" is an architectural term similar to colonnade or galleria.
The name has to do with that, not because there was ever an arcade of any type as an occupant.
Plutonic Panda 05-07-2014, 03:59 PM While I think it's a cool idea, (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) "Arcade" is the architectural style of the building, not what it's use was in the past. (it could have been both though)Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads up though.
OKCisOK4me 05-07-2014, 04:21 PM "arcade 1731, from It. arcata "arch of a bridge," from arco "arc," from L. arcus (see arc). Applied to passages formed by a succession of arches, avenues of trees, and ultimately to any covered avenue, especially one lined with shops (1731) or amusements"
I like the use of it with reference to "avenue of trees".
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ljbab728 05-21-2014, 12:08 AM Steve's update.
http://www.oklahoman.com/article/4844771?embargo=1
Attorney John Michael Williams still remembers drives downtown when he was a child and his mother would point out the Main Street Arcade building as a one-time source of pride.
Decades later, developer and designer David Wanzer is hoping to restore the building to its original glory and intent – offices upstairs and a collection of retail shops on the first floor. A nomination is being submitted to add the building, opened in 1923, to the National Register of Historic Places. With pre-leasing to start this summer and a year of renovations to begin in the winter, he hopes the building will open by late 2015.
This includes a very interesting video interview with David Wanzer.
This project continues to move towards redevelopment.
Today, David Wanzer told me they are finalizing their budget and pricing for lease space and hope to begin actively marketing very soon.
At the same time, they have been finalizing plans for the renovation.
One issue is there is zero parking associated with this building and since there is 14,000 square feet of office space on the 2nd level, that is an issue for potential tenants. So, they are working on trying to secure dedicated parking in the immediate area.
Can't wait to see the plans and for work to start on this project. It's going to be special.
rlewis 07-31-2014, 03:00 PM Pete,
I wonder with all of the trouble at the Rise, are the Flashback Retropub folks looking at this property again? I remember it being a finalist for that business at one time.
Also, I would think that once the Main Street garage is finished, that a lot of the demand for parking lots around the property would diminish. The developer would likely be able to negotiate with the city for use of their lots at that point. It's a shame that when they redid Main Street that they didn't leave enough room for angled parking in front of the property.
^
Main Street Garage will be full the day it opens, so that won't provide any relief for the office tenants. There is a lot of street parking for the retail patrons.
When I talked to FlashBack a week ago, they really wanted to stay in Uptown. They may have to expand their search; they would fit in almost any of the urban districts.
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