NW 12th and Walker (http://goo.gl/maps/zyb7E)
owner=Midtown Renaissance
cost=$3,000,000
architect=TAP Architecture
24 residential units, street-level retail

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1212wiki1.jpg
Information & Latest News
5/19/11: $3,000,000 building permit issued to TAP Architecture to remodel the 4-story building at 1212 N. Walker creating 24 apartments and ground floor retail.
Links
County Assessor Site (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R040751130)
Project Website (http://midtownr.com/1212.html)
Tenants
Waffle Champion
Dry / Shop
Gallery

$3,000,000 building permit issued today to TAP Architecture for a 4-story building at 1212 N. Walker:

http://midtownr.com/ViewProperty.aspx?id=10

http://midtownr.com/propImages/000026.jpg

Maybe it's just the rendering, which is small in my browser, but 1212 seems incredibly unattractive to me. Am I being too harsh?

Glad to see it going forward, probably will be done early next year. When you consider potential store fronts with this added onto the Walker restaurant row, I don't know how OCURA could pass up a proposal for the Mercy site that adds more retail, such as Ellard's or Wiggin's.

Maybe it's just the rendering, which is small in my browser, but 1212 seems incredibly unattractive to me. Am I being too harsh?

Well it's ugly to start with. I would say it's an improvement

I think it looks sharp.

The existing building can be see here just to the left of the Osler:

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2710/R040751125001sA.jpg

That buiilding is not attractive to begin with... I'm actually really happy with the renderings and the plan. I can't wait for this building and the Osler to both have occupants. It will really help give the Midtown area some vibrancy...

I love it! Great mixed use that is needed!

I don't think it's ugly at all. I love the glass balconies.

this will be a great great project

It's not attractive now... and it's okay in the end... but what more can you REALLY do with that building as far as looks? I'm just happy with the fact that it's being re-used... I'm totally against tearing more buildings down in the central OKC but had it up and disappeared one night who would have even noticed... especially when your attention is drawn to the Osler or to begin with.

And on a side note regarding the 39th street bar district... regardless of what orientation the folks going to those establishments... that is THE original alignment of Route 66 and several of the buildings there need historic designations. I know OKC would never move forward any decorative streetscaping for the gays... but the structures are worth while... Phoenix Rising bar (south side of road two story) for example was an early Route 66 hotel... hell... even the Habana Inn is relevant as a cool period 66 hotel and should be 'saved' (lol)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5743825542_978fc57cf5_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5743825654_7727cc0f5a_b.jpg

This is an extremely exciting project. I am glad to see 1212 is finally going forward. Mid-town is definitely becoming for real. Would be an awesome neighborhood for another investor to join forces, if someone were looking for an opportunity.

There was an alternative rendering for this project that came out of London, but it's interesting to see them sticking with the original concept. I like it, but I can see where others don't. Hard to argue that it isn't a huge improvement, though. I think though that over time, as the Osler gets a facelift next, that this design will prove to be a good one because it's more modern and lighter--it suits the site because the Osler has a very 'heavy' feel.

Maybe it's just the rendering, which is small in my browser, but 1212 seems incredibly unattractive to me. Am I being too harsh?
Here's a larger view from the PDF file ... click on the image (which is cropped) for a larger and uncropped view

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/midtown/1212nwalker_crop.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/midtown/1212nwalker.jpg)

I think it looks very cool.

The drawings furnished by Archetech2010 show balconies on both the east and west sides and I was curious about the views looking east and west, respectively. It looks as though the westbound view is nicer. Also, note the proximity to the Oklahoma Heritage Center in the upper left corner of the image, and, of course, lots of restaurants and developing shops nearby. Very nice location.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/midtown/1212nwalker_view.jpg

Archetect2010, do you have better resolutions of the drawings you posted, or can you point me to where to find them?

Here's a larger view from the PDF file ... click on the image (which is cropped) for a larger and uncropped view

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/midtown/1212nwalker_crop.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/midtown/1212nwalker.jpg)

I think it looks very cool.

I agree. I think the contrast works very well with the Osler.

Anything is better than the eyesore that is there now. It doesn't appeal to me, but I'm sure the few units that will be there will fill up.

Yes, especially because they will be affordable rentals.

Here's a larger view from the PDF file ... click on the image (which is cropped) for a larger and uncropped view

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/midtown/1212nwalker_crop.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/midtown/1212nwalker.jpg)

I think it looks very cool.

I agree. Actually seeing the detail wildly changed my perception for the better.

What I like is that they seem to have designed the balconies and outside space to be added onto the existing facade, which is not inexpensive and makes the appearance and the use of the space far more interesting

Personally, I wouldn't consider an apartment unless it had at least a small amount of outdoor space, where you could open a door, step outside and smell the fresh air. I'm sure many others feel the same, so good for them for not cheaping out.

TAP is the architectural firm and they always do great work.

I love the look of a glass balcony. The location is great and it will be right on the streetcar line. Sounds like a winner to me.

I'm a big fan of that whole area, and any new redevelopment there is good especially residential. The Mercy development will have a huge effect on future developments in the NW 11 & Walker corner of Midtown.

I'm a big fan of that whole area, and any new redevelopment there is good especially residential. The Mercy development will have a huge effect on future developments in the NW 11 & Walker corner of Midtown.

Not to mention hopefully keeping future in business...

work on 1212 north walker is moving along pretty fast .. they have the the building gutted down to concrete and i would guess that they will start the new buildout pretty soon ..

also of note is that they have now laid the new patio and sidewalk for Louie's Midtown and will have the new fence and tables out in the next week or so

Is 1212 going to be rental property or condos? Anyone know yet?

1212 will be rental based on previous reports.

Of course any rental can eventually end up as for sale real estate if it's well built enough that people will want to buy after a few years have passed. That happens all the time back east, and we may find that as the economy improves and it's a bit easier to get a loan, some of the nicer buildings end up with condos for sale.

1212 N walker 24 units rental

Was parking upstairs at the Midtown YMCA yesterday and took these photos of the work in progress.....

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/2971/img2307ba.jpg


http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2521/img2308l.jpg

Just drove down Walker earlier and saw that work has begun on the long awaited building next to the old hotel across from Louie's midtown.

933934

If anyone is in the area I'd love to see some pics of the progress at 1212 (Walker) and some of the other Midtown projects...

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4331/1212nwalker.jpg


http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6015/1212nwalker1.jpg

There is now a sign up in front of the 1212 development on Walker that says they are leasing in Spring 2012...

The apartment floor plans are available on their website as well. No pricing information though.

http://www.midtownr.com/ViewProperty.aspx?id=10

http://www.midtownr.com/pdf/1212.pdf

It appears that this property is waiting on a Downtown Design Review Committee approval before they complete this project. Here's the link to this month's agenda:

http://www.okc.gov/planning/planning_library/drc/agenda.pdf

I don't know quite what to think about it yet, because it's not 100% finished, but I do think that it's a drastic improvement from how it looked in that "before" picture that Pete posted.

1212 N. Walker is coming right along...

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1212walker1119.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1212walker1119b.jpg

Some small things in that second photo but very important little changes in our beloved town...

A sidewalk cafe and more importantly, a SIDEWALK! AND people actually using it!!


Really a cool little street scene and there is plenty more of this to come.

Some small things in that second photo but very important little changes in our beloved town...

A sidewalk cafe and more importantly, a SIDEWALK! AND people actually using it!!


Really a cool little street scene and there is plenty more of this to come.

That is Louie's.

Looking at the photo again, here's what you can see: A new Louie's with a great outdoor seating area on the street, a sidewalk and streetscape that people are actually using, 1212 Walker being renovated into cool apartments, the Osler building that will soon be renovated, 1492 restaurant, Cafe do Brazil and Plaza Court.

Amazing what can happen in a few years and fun to think about that area in a couple of more.

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/1212_2.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/1212_1.jpg

Drove by at lunch. It still has quite a says to go, they will be pushing the deadline. I think the residential can be completed by then, as it looks further along on the inside, but the retail would be pushing it.

Here are the pics from last Friday. These were on my iphone so the quality isn't the best.

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/photo8.jpg

Notice the window panes being put in on retail level.

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/photo3.jpg

I know the west-facing windows are going to be a challenge in the summer, but I have to say that 1212 has hit on something critical that I think most projects in downtown ignore; large window openings. Those are basically floor to ceiling, and I suspect they will be a huge success because of it.

I still believe that the best and most salable/rentable place someone could build downtown has yet to be built; straight-up boxes with industrial finishes including brick, or terra-cotta tile or even cinder block walls, exposed mechanicals, minimalist kitchens (but with nice surfaces and appliances), great lighting and most of all LARGE WINDOW OPENINGS.

I think people who move downtown are much more concerned with connecting to the outside, even if it is only visual. They WANT to see the sidewalk, and the things that are going on down there. They want great views of other buildings. They're typically much more concerned with those types of things than they are crown moldings or oak cabinets with lots of trim detail. It just seems most of the places down here are being built for Edmondites rather than downtowners. Just my opinion.

This looks like it is headed in the right direction.

In looking at the rendering again, the overhangs/balconies will help tremendously with the sun shining into the west-facing windows. Evening sun in the summertime will be rough, but nothing some blackout shades won't fix. After sunset, those balconies will be seriously nice to hang out on. Cool factor on this one is high.

I know the west-facing windows are going to be a challenge in the summer, but I have to say that 1212 has hit on something critical that I think most projects in downtown ignore; large window openings. Those are basically floor to ceiling, and I suspect they will be a huge success because of it.

I still believe that the best and most salable/rentable place someone could build downtown has yet to be built; straight-up boxes with industrial finishes including brick, or terra-cotta tile or even cinder block walls, exposed mechanicals, minimalist kitchens (but with nice surfaces and appliances), great lighting and most of all LARGE WINDOW OPENINGS.

I think people who move downtown are much more concerned with connecting to the outside, even if it is only visual. They WANT to see the sidewalk, and the things that are going on down there. They want great views of other buildings. They're typically much more concerned with those types of things than they are crown moldings or oak cabinets with lots of trim detail. It just seems most of the places down here are being built for Edmondites rather than downtowners. Just my opinion.

This looks like it is headed in the right direction.

Most of the finished projects in Midtown so far have been historical re habs using tax credits. The things you call Edmond are what is required to get the credits. 1212 was not eligible for tax credits and had no such requirements.

Hardly. The things I call Edmond are almost universally new construction. If you're talking about projects like the Seiber, I am TOTALLY down with what Marva & Co did there. Same with Harvey Lofts and others. Historic tax credits require preserving the history of old buildings, and I am 100% on board even (actually especially) if it includes historic high finish and architectural detail. I've even defended/explained HP tax credits ad nauseum in this forum.

I'm not naming names, but the places I am describing are new construction with interior finishes more befitting an Edmond subdivision than urban development. And heck, I'm not even saying there is no room for those places; only that I think they miss the mark when it comes to what the majority of the downtown-ready market wants.

Well said Urbanized. Also exactly why I renovated my SOSA condo to exposure more industrial elements!

The Brownstones are customizable to whatever style you want. Some are what I would consider "Edmond style" but some are not. I don't think mine is, at least, but I'm very happy not having floor to ceiling windows. They're hard to drape, and difficult to sleep and dress in if they're not draped. Block 42 has massive windows, too, and it's new construction. It's nice if people have a choice. The Hill is closest to what I would call Edmond style, but it's now selling pretty well. The most contemporary of the finished out Brownstones hasn't sold. So, it may be that there's diversity in what the downtown-ready want and if we have options we're more likely to appeal to different people.

I've toured multiple units in every development mentioned here, betts. I'm not talking about contemporary, I'm talking about industrial. It barely exists downtown (it would be "nice if people had a choice," right?), it would greatly reduce the price per square foot, and I believe there is a significant audience out there for it, frustrated that they can't find it. By the way, the right large windows with the correct orientation need no window treatments at all, and in fact covering them is a crime.

I've toured multiple units in every development mentioned here, betts. I'm not talking about contemporary, I'm talking about industrial. It barely exists downtown (it would be "nice if people had a choice," right?), it would greatly reduce the price per square foot, and I believe there is a significant audience out there for it, frustrated that they can't find it. By the way, the right large windows with the correct orientation need no window treatments at all, and in fact covering them is a crime.

5th st lofts might be the closest thing to what you are talking about ..

They're pretty iffy. Probably the best for-rent or for-sale multifamily example is the Garage Lofts, done in the '90s by Nick Preftakes and Mark Ruffin, though Nick has said since that if he had it to do over again he would have done it a bit differently.

The best private, one-owner example is the expansive upstairs at Laura Warriner's [ArtSpace] at Untitled Gallery on NE 3rd. Of course, that place is huge, serves as sort of an artist's co-op and is well beyond what an individual would normally require.

I've toured multiple units in every development mentioned here, betts. I'm not talking about contemporary, I'm talking about industrial. It barely exists downtown (it would be "nice if people had a choice," right?), it would greatly reduce the price per square foot, and I believe there is a significant audience out there for it, frustrated that they can't find it. By the way, the right large windows with the correct orientation need no window treatments at all, and in fact covering them is a crime.

This is exactly the type of place we would like to purchase - industrial look, very open, large windows, and affordable - in a walkable neighborhood.

The best place for true lofts (high ceilings, exposed brick walls and duct work, few if any partitions) are the upper floors of many buildings in Bricktown. Parking would be an issue but hopefully the people that would be drawn to such space would be willing to walk a block or two.

The best place for true lofts (high ceilings, exposed brick walls and duct work, few if any partitions) are the upper floors of many buildings in Bricktown. Parking would be an issue but hopefully the people that would be drawn to such space would be willing to walk a block or two.

I agree, Pete. If it's not old, it's faux industrial, which is no different than faux French, IMO. There's nothing intrinsically wonderful about any style - it's all personal taste. If people want gritty, industrial lofts, then Bricktown is an excellent place to start. It's one of the largest concentrations of old buildings I can think of, at least close to the CBD. There are a few buildings north of Maywood that might serve as well. But most lofts like that are done by individuals, not developers.

And I agree, large windows with the correct orientation need no draping, as long as they're high enough that people can't see in - and you don't mind getting up with the sunrise and don't mind streetlights shining in your windows.

The best place for true lofts (high ceilings, exposed brick walls and duct work, few if any partitions) are the upper floors of many buildings in Bricktown. Parking would be an issue but hopefully the people that would be drawn to such space would be willing to walk a block or two.

I'm always hearing that a lot of the upper floors of buildings in Bricktown have already been converted into lofts. I don't know how true that is, but when I was looking for a place a couple of years ago I never found something. But I knew some wait staff at some of the restaraunts down there who swore up and down that they are there.

No, most the buildings in Bricktown are vacant above the ground floor.

There has been lots of talk about buildings being turned into living lofts but I'm not aware of any at all in Bricktown.

It's amazing if you think about it.

It's not faux industrial if it is new. Believe it or not, industrial design and the construction of new commercial space happens every day in the world. It is built to a minimalist design standard using materials commonly used in industrial applications. There is a reason they are used in an industrial environment; they are inexpensive yet durable. Totally pragmatic, built purely for function, without needless attempts to "gussy it up" or cover the materials. What is so hard to understand here?

I do agree however that the holy grail is conversion of historic industrial space, and that Bricktown is has the best candidates for such conversion (with the exception of the former Fred Jones Manufacturing facility on Main). The best space for such conversion in Bricktown is actually the U-haul building, which has intact floor-to-ceiling casements on all four sides, covered up by the tin siding. That would be an incredible project. Second best (and most practical) is probably the old Mideke Supply Building, currently home to City Walk and Coco Flow. There are indeed others too.

But new construction can easily be done like this and is in no way inauthentic, unless it tries to trick you into believing it is old or converted.

No, most the buildings in Bricktown are vacant above the ground floor...
While there is considerable vacancy above the ground floor, there is quite a bit of ignorance regarding just how many upper floors are occupied. I am sitting in a third floor office on the canal as I type this, in a building that is basically 100% occupied. Most people - including many on this board - probably assume it is empty. There are a significant number of buildings in Bricktown largely or fully-occupied on upper floors with law offices, tech companies, government contractors, engineering firms, architectural firms, financial services companies, energy companies and more. For the most part, nobody acknowledges this when discussing Bricktown.

Glad to hear that, Urbanized.

Are you aware of any living units in Bricktown?

It's not faux industrial if it is new. Believe it or not, industrial design and the construction of new commercial space happens every day in the world. It is built to a minimalist design standard using materials commonly used in industrial applications. There is a reason they are used in an industrial environment; they are inexpensive yet durable. Totally pragmatic, built purely for function, without needless attempts to "gussy it up" or cover the materials. What is so hard to understand here?

But new construction can easily be done like this and is in no way inauthentic, unless it tries to trick you into believing it is old or converted.

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.

Glad to hear that, Urbanized.

Are you aware of any living units in Bricktown?

there is at least one in the bourbon st cafe building ... the owner of the biting sow lived there (he sold that building and leased his apt for 1 more year)

Glad to hear that, Urbanized.

Are you aware of any living units in Bricktown?
BoulderSooner is right about the Loft in the Fox Vliet (Bourbon Street) Building. It is large (entire floorplate large) and almost over-the-top in buildout. Definitely designed as a party pad for French Hickman, but he did actually live in it full time at some point. Not sure if he is still.

There are also several housing units in upper floors of buildings on Main Street.

But the Fox-Vliet Building is an example of what I was talking about; it was 100% built out on upper floors more than 10 years ago, but most people probably don't know this. It was home to Advanced Academics and Johnson & Associates engineers for some time until they both moved to the Bunte Candy Company Building. The office space in Fox-Vliet is outstanding Class A type space. Not sure who if anyone has moved back into this space.

The Bunte is now substantially if not completely built out on upper floors too, and is home to those firms plus the OKC offices of the Chickasaw Nation. I was just in those offices about two weeks ago, and they were sleek, modern and tremendously cool. They are working on a retail solution for their incredible ground floor space.

Other buildings that are substantially or completely occupied on upper floors (most with incredibly nice office space) are the Miller-Jackson Building, the JDM Building, Oklahoma Hardware (ACM@UCO), the entire south side of Sheridan between Oklahoma Avenue and Mickey Mantle (Glass, Confectionary), the Harding and Shelton buildings on the south side of the canal (I posted a link to their killer office space in another thread).

The Banjo Museum uses its entire upper floor for beautiful exhibit space. The aforementioned buildings on Main across from the police station have all been built out, some with cool office space, some with residential. These buildings alone count for many tens of thousands of square feet of fully remodeled and occupied space.

Others that have fully built out and make use of upper floors include Tapwerks (2nd is additional bar, 3rd is event space), Nonna's, Bricktown Brewery, Crabtown, Chelino's. Standley Systems is making progress again on their Main Street buildout, which will include the upper floors.

The most disappointingly underutilized upper floor space are Rock Island Plow (entire building derelict), U-haul (100% used, but surely not highest and best use), Spaghetti Warehouse (fantastic opportunity, but windows bricked for decades), Mideke (he's been trying to get housing going), 3rd & 4th floors of Brewery (great housing opportunity I think), 2nd floor Abuelo's (tough to utilize due to config issues), 2nd floor Brickz (modernized for Brewery but since removed from that operation), upper floors of Melting Pot (I believe stabilization work has been done, but still looking for tenants, another good housing candidate IMO).

French has two small buildings on the canal between ACM and Chelino's that are unused on upper (or any) floors. And the Hunzicker Brothers (old Bricktown Haunted House) is mostly empty upper floor, though there is banquet space above the under-construction Sammy's Pizza. I do know that the Brewers are working on some ideas for the Hunzicker, some of them pretty interesting, so I hope they come to pass.

I have never added up the square footage, but my gut is that there is now more upper floor space that has been remodeled and is in use in Bricktown than not. If you take out Spaghetti Warehouse and/or Rock Island Plow, I feel certain of it.

For some time I have wanted to take photos of some of the really cool office space in this district and share on here, but haven't had the time or initiative. Would like to start a thread that shows all buildings in BT that have upper floors and then show what is in each.

Either way, I think it is unfortunate (yet true) that most people assume all or "most" of these upper floors are undeveloped. It's simply not correct, and another example of how kneejerk negativity to Bricktown is often based in some pretty flimsy "facts" and outdated information.

Maybe these off-topic posts could be the basis of that thread, actually.