I'm just saying that anything residential that is built to mimic something else, in this case, old lofts or industrial buildings, is just as much faux as buildings built to mimic French chateaus or half-timbered Tudors. Lofts were not originally intended to be housing and anything built to look like that aesthetic is just as much mimicry as any other style. All that is important is that people live in places they enjoy and that give them pleasure. There's nothing intrinsically noble or wonderful about loft space - it's just a style that appeals to some. And most people who want a particular style that isn't currently being built do it themselves. If someone thinks lofts will sell well, and at a price point that makes it worthwhile, a developer might step in. But, until that happens, just like in NYC, if we want a loft, we have to find one and convert it ourselves. Or, we have to become the developer.
Based on your definition, EVERY type of building is mimicry. Maybe they are.

But what I am saying is that if it is built in a utilitarian fashion, only to provide the basic function of shelter, it is not mimicry. It might be somewhat similar to an old warehouse, in that they were also built spare of any ornamentation and only to serve a basic function, which leads in both cases to exposed mechanicals, an emphasis on natural light, and the like, but it is only mimicry if you put in fake old-fashioined rolling fire doors or distressed cedar post and beam, or whatever, designed to fool the observer into thinking it is an old building. The fact that it is built for function alone actually makes it more authentic than most styles of construction.

Excuse me. Brewery is only a two-story building (both occupied by brewery). Both derelict floors I was thinking of were above Brix, which I also mi-spelled (I couldn't remember how to correctly mis-spell Bricks, I guess).

thanks for the great bricktown recap ...

Hah, you're welcome, sorry it's in a thread where it doesn't belong!

What about the upper floors in Auto Alley. I have been to wine tastings in the space above Broadway Wine Merchants and thought how cool a space like that would make as an apartment. I walked down Broadway a few weeks ago on my way to a Thunder game and read the plaques in the sidewalk and noticed how many of these buildings used to be hotels back in the day. I still can't believe how many former hotels were in Midtown and Auto Alley. Hell, I am sitting in one right now at 9th and Robinson and can easily see 4 or 5 from my 4th floor window without moving my chair. Who used to stay in all these hotels? Most of these hotel spaces seem primed for residential conversion.

Who used to stay in all these hotels?

Back in the day, many people basically lived in hotels.

Boulder, any word on a revised date for the balconies? I know a couple weeks ago you mentioned next week, but it's been 2-3 weeks since then and no balconies. I'd like to get pics of them going up.

Boulder, any word on a revised date for the balconies? I know a couple weeks ago you mentioned next week, but it's been 2-3 weeks since then and no balconies. I'd like to get pics of them going up.

should be any day now ... i will try to check and see if i can get a better firm date ..

Have any of these units been pre-leased?

Also will the residents of 1212 have rooftop access?

Pretty sure there won't be any sort of roof-top deck...

For leasing, this is the information from their website: Contact Jana Krauss for more information at (405) 488-6262 or info@midtownr.com

nm

The last of the ground floor windows are going in!

the balconies are going up on the east side of 1212

East side?

East side?

yes .. i'm sure the west side will be next ..... the east and west will pretty much look the same

East side?

Yes. Those are the balconies with the scenic view of a vast parking lot. Lol.

Yes. Those are the balconies with the scenic view of a vast parking lot. Lol.

Better than having a scenic view of a parking lot without a balcony.

Better than having a scenic view of a parking lot without a balcony.

Completely agree. I was just kidding. I love this project.

Photo of the east side of 1212 from BoulderSooner:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1212walker4512.jpg

Sweet!

Photo courtesy of Metro:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1212.jpg

This project has taken a definite turn for the better. A few weeks ago I thought this building really looked boring, but now with the black exterior and balconies it looks very sleek and modern. It is always interesting how construction projects can go through various visual phases - at the beginning looking good to blah and now to excellent.

Another great job by Midtown Renaissance and TAP architects!

move in for 1212 is scheduled for june 1st ...

This project has taken a definite turn for the better. A few weeks ago I thought this building really looked boring, but now with the black exterior and balconies it looks very sleek and modern. It is always interesting how construction projects can go through various visual phases - at the beginning looking good to blah and now to excellent.

Another great job by Midtown Renaissance and TAP architects!

Well, I'm just dying to see how the front-side balconies will look. Are they installed yet?

If by front-side you mean West, then no, I was at Louie's across the street last night and admired 1212 while eating.

Well, I'm just dying to see how the front-side balconies will look. Are they installed yet?

No, see my photo above from 2 days ago.

Move in June 1st signed the lease today. Corner room above Walker closest to the Osler! Great view :)

It would be a lot of fun to live in one of the west-side units and sit out on the balcony and people watch/converse with random people on the Louie's Patio and other passersby.

I read Metros post to mean that nothing had changed since he posted his pics from 2 days prior???

Shocking news (pun intended). Luckily the dude is alright, besides some third degree burns. In a situation like that you just feel lucky to be alive. Oh right the story!

Turns out one of the window washers at the 1212 today went up a little too close to some power lines and his lift made contact and electrocution ensued. Glad he is okay! Crazy stuff, though.

http://www.koco.com/news/30881030/detail.html link related.

West balconies being installed today.

Two from the westside from BoulderSooner:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1212walker41612a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1212walker41612b.jpg

Ha im actualy at Louies right now. I checked this like 10 minutes after you posted. The north side of the westside of the building has scorch marks from the accident.

Another one from BoulderSooner:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1212walker41712.jpg

Can we nominate Mickey Clagg and his partner for some kind of award? Their rehab housing projects have been a fantastic gift to this city! It's nice to offer an uncritical pat on the back once in a while. I wish more developers would follow their example in OKC.

They're already amassing quite a collection of awards, and most importantly, solid leasing.

From Metro:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/121242512.jpg

Interesting to note the burn mark up there from the accidental electrical contact. Looks like it actually blew the plaster off. Hope the guy recovered ok.

Just curious but when was this last photo taken? I drove by yesterday around 4 pm and didn't see any work vehicles out front.

I took it Wednesday around 2pm.

Took some newer pics. I must say this is looking amazing, compliments the Osler nicely..horizontality really connects the two.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTw4oluwnSg/T6WbDVhT1sI/AAAAAAAABc0/53-sbquNE9Y/s1600/2012-04-29+14.54.22.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2gxWNWilLU/T6WbBa97qhI/AAAAAAAABcs/eUZpar-Qxl0/s1600/2012-04-29+14.53.47.jpg

Beautiful pics, Nick.

So far I like the outcome better than the conceptual drawing.

The back balconies are nearing completion. I wonder how the glass will look once it is added on.

I like the look of the "balconies" but I do have a question, are they functional or just decorative (I am not seeing any railings, rather wide spacing on the "floor" slats and those support wires)?

I like the look of the "balconies" but I do have a question, are they functional or just decorative (I am not seeing any railings)?

Functional. But looking at the floor of them I do not think you will be able to walk from one end to the other. Glass railings from one end to the other.

Larry - The balconies will be sub-divided, what you see now is a large awning that it all rests on.

Larry - The balconies will be sub-divided, what you see now is a large awning that it all rests on.


Spartan from your first picture of the last set, you agree that the the entire banconies on each floor will not be usable? See the diamond plating and then the slatted section?

Here is a picture of the balconies on the back.

I think this shows how the balconies will be set up upon completion:
http://www.taparchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/1212-North-Walker-Website.jpg

Right. So there will be a glassed in portion above the diamond plating, part with the full floor.

Meh, I cant get my picture to post from this good ol government computer.

Bah, government computers...

wschnitt - exactly. I think it will look bang-up. You'll essentially see the glass and steel architecture version of smoke and mirrors, it will be a cool facade. Unfortunately the rendering doesn't give you much of an idea because virtually every structural element in the facade has been a starkly different color, ie., the brownish red awnings.

I suspect as they were going through the catalog of awnings that they decided that brownish red would better compliment the Osler next door, which would be their concern because they also own it.

Moral of the story - we get much better developments when the developers own the surrounding environs as well (fingers crossed that this MidtownR theory also applies with Preftakes)

Bah, government computers...

wschnitt - exactly. I think it will look bang-up. You'll essentially see the glass and steel architecture version of smoke and mirrors, it will be a cool facade. Unfortunately the rendering doesn't give you much of an idea because virtually every structural element in the facade has been a starkly different color, ie., the brownish red awnings.

I suspect as they were going through the catalog of awnings that they decided that brownish red would better compliment the Osler next door, which would be their concern because they also own it.

Moral of the story - we get much better developments when the developers own the surrounding environs as well (fingers crossed that this MidtownR theory also applies with Preftakes)

the awnings and now railings being installed .. are going to be black .. they are currently unpainted steel

Toured these last week. Nice apartments, awesome location, but whew, for the size/amenities, they seemed to be priced on the high end. Yet still they're just a few units away from being full before move in. How is it that Midtown Renaissance seems to be doing downtown housing so much better than everybody else? They've got to be making a killing.

Toured these last week. Nice apartments, awesome location, but whew, for the size/amenities, they seemed to be priced on the high end. Yet still they're just a few units away from being full before move in. How is it that Midtown Renaissance seems to be doing downtown housing so much better than everybody else? They've got to be making a killing.

Touche. We were just cooing about how well all of MidtownR's projects have been turning out in The Cline thread. I think it helps to have major financial backing like the Bob Howard dealerships, because it enables them to take into account long-term sustainability in their planning. It turns out that accounting for long-term success opens up short-term success for this Howard and Clagg.

Wow! I agree, this place looks awesome! Does anyone know what all retail is coming in at the bottom?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I am pretty sure Bob Howard no longer owns the Bob Howard dealerships (sold to Group 1). He does, however, own Mercedes-Benz of OKC.

They have begun painting the back awnings black.

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