http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ambassadorwiki1.jpg
Information & Latest News
1200 N. Walker (http://goo.gl/maps/ekQw6)
status=Opened March 18, 2014
owner=Midtown Renaissance
height=7 stories
sq. feet=44,434
acerage=.46
other= 55 rooms

4/2/13: Conversion to boutique hotel under way (http://newsok.com/osler-buildings-conversion-to-boutique-hotel-under-way-in-oklahoma-citys-midtown/article/3779209)
11/1/12: Osler Building conversion to boutique hotel to start (http://newsok.com/osler-buildings-conversion-to-boutique-hotel-set-to-start-in-december-in-oklahoma-city/article/3724282)
5/9/11: Downtown/MAPS Tax Increment Review Committee convened and approved a resolution recommending approximately $1,100,00 for assistance in development financing for the proposed $15.8 million mixed use development comprised of 40 single family units, a 60 room boutique hotel and approximately 6,000 square
feet of mixed use development.


the 44,424 square feet brick structure was constructed in three phases: the first three floors in 1928 and floors four to six in 1929. The partial seventh floor was added in 1946. The building was remodeled in the 1980’s and has had the majority of the original windows replaced. The building was originally a medical office building housing dentists and physicians associated with the many hospitals then located within the immediate area. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 under categories A, and C for “the best example of Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival architecture on a multi-story office building” and for its promotion of health and hygiene through the care of the sick, disabled, and handicapped.
Links
http://www.ambassadorhotelcollection.com/oklahomacity/
Downtown Hotel Summary
Urban Project Summary
County Assessor (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R040751125)
Midtown Rensaissance (http://midtownr.com/ViewProperty.aspx?id=11)
Gallery

Awesome! Let's get these projects going! Very excited.

Thanks Boulder!

A small hotel would do very well in that area, especially with St. Anthony so close.

I hope this gets going soon and leads to even more development in that area. Momentum seems to be picking up.

So the 16 additional units are probably in the Osler, with a hotel at the bottom?

On edit, that has to be the case. Their website says 14 luxury condos, must be 16 now. http://midtownr.com/ViewProperty.aspx?id=11

The views from the 3rd floor looking towards the CBD should be fantastic.

Very cool they integrated a 3rd level and little decks to take advantage of this.


Very, very impressed with the work of architect Fitzsimmons and the entire Midtown Renaissance group. Looking forward to the Osler project... It's one of their last properties to be renovated.

the problem with the osler is it has short floor heights ..and kind of weird floor plates .. i know they have been given a few different idea for apt design .. it is just a huge project compared to most of their other buildings .. but at the rate they are going i would bet it is not to far off ..

but i don't think they could convert it into apts without a garage ..

How short?

Why couldn't they build a small garage on the lot they own behind the Osler/1212?

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

they could but they need more than a small lot that is going to be 1212 N walkers lot .. and the osler will end up with more units that any of their buildings to date

This looks like an awesome development. There is actually plenty of parking behind this building.

a good portion of that parking is full a much of night from the walker shops crowd ... i am not saying that this project makes a garage 100% needed right now ..

but with the osler coming soon .. plus the new retail in 1212 walker and the retail in the edge ... parking is bacoming a very real problem in the area

Why couldn't they build a small garage on the lot they own behind the Osler/1212?

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


If they were to build a garage there, where would the balconies/windows for the back units of 1212 look onto? Someone's bumper?

Not to mention, what rye of turning radius would it allow cars going up/down floors. Seems like a narrow lot.

but i don't think they could convert it into apts without a garage ..

The Park Harvey has done just fine without a garage and street parking is a lot harder to come by in the CBD.

The Park Harvey has done just fine without a garage and street parking is a lot harder to come by in the CBD.

Well, their occupancy numbers took a pretty steep temporary hit when they lost their contract for parking with COTPA.

Maybe so, but I think the Osler could work just fine as residential. There's plentiful street parking with no meters in the surrounding blocks.

The owners seem committed to diversifying their properties and they've done a good job of mixing up office, retail and living. It's really smart because any of these sectors can have a downturn so at least you are hedging your bets to a certain degree.

I'd really like to see a couple of hotels open in that area. You'd think there would the need, especially with St. Anthony so close. It's just hard to find operators for a building that small.

C. Other Items for Individual Consideration
1) Osler Building at 1200 N Walker, Ward 6. National Register of Historic
Places, proposed nomination for the Osler Building, 1200 N. Walker Ave.
Consider a recommendation to City Council and the State Historic
Preservation Review Board through the State Historic Preservation Office.

They should recruit Coury Properties to develop and manage a boutique hotel, since he no longer has the Colcord. I'm sure he'd like to get back in the OKC market.

Good idea but probably too small to make it worth his time.

With all the housing going up in the area, I don't know why they just don't turn it into office space. I'm sure a bunch of small businesses would bite.

Yes, but hopefully it has a hire and better use than office space, like a hotel, for all to enjoy.

Good idea but probably too small to make it worth his time.

Not at all. Check out his most recent additions to the Coury Collection:

http://www.courycollection.com/properties.htm

Thanks for the info. I didn't know he added a few new ones. I've stayed at several of these properties. I still wonder how profitable it'd be as it would be one of the smallest properties if he did do it. Since Coury is based out of Tulsa, I think it makes more economic sense for him to have 3 properties based in Tulsa, 2 of which are his smallest properties. I hope I'm wrong, but don't see the economics to make this one work in OKC for him.

I didn't realize that the McBirney Mansion had been renovated into a boutique hotel, cool. And is The Ashton the McFarland Building in DT Tulsa? If so, when did that happen?

Coury looks like a pretty logical fit, in the context of their expanding portfolio.

I was looking at the County Assessor's site and realized that another Midtown Renaissance building is immediately adjacent to the Osler & 1212 and has a huge parking lot (shown in yellow).

In fact, those are actually three separate parcels; the one closest to 1212 is owned by the same LLC as that building and the one just to the east is owned by the Osler LLC.

The blue is the area proposed for a garage in the recent parking study commissioned by the City.


I bet once that project at 430 NW 12th is largely finished they will get started on the Osler, then use that ample parking for whatever use they determine.

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

So you're point is that Midtown Renaissance probably won't build a garage on the lot south of 430 NW 12 as some had speculated?

I don't think they need a parking garage anyway. Now what the city determines...

There is already tons of parking there. I don't think they would have to build a garage before they redeveloped the Osler.

Plus, the units at 430 NW 12th will have nice, new decks on south side of the third floor. I'm sure they wouldn't have added that element if they were going to obstruct the view with a big parking structure immediately south.

There is already tons of parking there. I don't think they would have to build a garage before they redeveloped the Osler.

Plus, the units at 430 NW 12th will have nice, new decks on south side of the third floor. I'm sure they wouldn't have added that element if they were going to obstruct the view with a big parking structure immediately south.

a good portion of the space behind 430/1212 is currently used by walker st shops employees and customers ..

a good portion of the space behind 430/1212 is currently used by walker st shops employees and customers ..

Yes but if the owners wanted to use that parking for their own buildings, that would be easy to make happen.

Looking at the aerial, I would estimate they can park 150 cars back there, which you would think would be more than enough for their three buildings.

Yes but if the owners wanted to use that parking for their own buildings, that would be easy to make happen.

Looking at the aerial, I would estimate they can park 150 cars back there, which you would think would be more than enough for their three buildings.

it is the same owners .. midtown Ren are the landlords for the Walker Shops

I see... Well, I bet 150 spaces would still be plenty.

I see... Well, I bet 150 spaces would still be plenty.

it will be interesting to see their strategy ... one great thing is that the renovation of 1212 (and the restaurant space on the street), the osler, and 430 12th will make parking behind the buildings "seem" safer ..

Does anyone really think parking anywhere in Midtown isn't safe?

I am probably the most fit/biggest person on here and I get a little uneasy over by the Palo Duro/Hudson Tattoo place some times. A lot of sketchy people over there

Does anyone really think parking anywhere in Midtown isn't safe?

the perception is still there behind those buildings ... but i will say that it has gotten better and will continue to

Does anyone really think parking anywhere in Midtown isn't safe?

No less safe than parking at the mall.

I lived at Claremont right last year and never felt unsafe once.

I lived at Claremont right last year and never felt unsafe once.

i agree with you .. i live a block away .. but from those the eat and work at stella/1492/louie's that perception is there

I am probably the most fit/biggest person on here and I get a little uneasy over by the Palo Duro/Hudson Tattoo place some times. A lot of sketchy people over there

Isn't the Palo Duro subsidized elderly housing? Do all of the sketchy people seem to be coming in and out of the tattoo place?

i agree with you .. i live a block away .. but from those the eat and work at stella/1492/louie's that perception is there

Unfortunately, people's perceptions don't always match reality (e.g., people who have lived in the area have encountered no problems). A lot of people are scared of people that look different from them. We keep mentioning sketchy people, but is there evidence of them doing anything actually sketchy? Or do a lot of the subrubanites that frequent Midtown not yet used to the diveristy that comes from an urban environment.

No less safe than parking at the mall.

Likely far safer than some.

Isn't the Palo Duro subsidized elderly housing? Do all of the sketchy people seem to be coming in and out of the tattoo place?

Palo Duro is a halfway house and has some interesting but pretty harmless characters. There is an assisted living center off of 12th and Harvey. I think the tattoo place has closed and there is a church that meets in that adjoining storefront. The ironic thing is that within a block of these places is some of the highest renting apartments in the city (the Sieber) so it can't be too bad.

Every now and again you will see a bum pushing a shopping cart around midtown but nothing more. Honestly I see more homeless people panhandling off of NW Expressway than I've seen in Midtown. Rightly or wrongly most homeless in this city have been pushed west of Classen.

Remember this is OKC, not at much larger city like Chicago, were even in the Gold Coast you have to worry about homeless people screaming at you or taking dookies on your front stoop (take it from personal experience.)

Isn't the Palo Duro subsidized elderly housing? Do all of the sketchy people seem to be coming in and out of the tattoo place?

palo duro is section 8 serving mostly those with mental disorders .. the Wesley village at 12th and Harvey is section 8 senior housing

Palo Duro is a halfway house and has some interesting but pretty harmless characters. There is an assisted living center off of 12th and Harvey. I think the tattoo place has closed and there is a church that meets in that adjoining storefront. The ironic thing is that within a block of these places is some of the highest renting apartments in the city (the Sieber) so it can't be too bad.

Every now and again you will see a bum pushing a shopping cart around midtown but nothing more. Honestly I see more homeless people panhandling off of NW Expressway than I've seen in Midtown. Rightly or wrongly most homeless in this city have been pushed west of Classen.

Remember this is OKC, not at much larger city like Chicago, were even in the Gold Coast you have to worry about homeless people screaming at you or taking dookies on your front stoop (take it from personal experience.)

the tattoo shop is still open .. it is and has been by apt only

Thanks for the info.

I had a nice conversation with a person from the Palo Duro last week as I was walking to lunch. I am still not sure what we were talking about but the guy seemed harmless enough. Ironically I think he was telling me how much safer he felt here than in Dallas. His car was stolen 3 times in a week or something like that. I'm not even sure he owns a car or if he knew exactly where he was.

This thread has me laughing out loud. I've never felt unsafe in Downtown or Midtown OKC. The thought of being scared behind Cafe do Brasil is beyond ridiculous and laughably absurd.

I've spent time on some mean streets in other US cities, when I was genuinely and understandably freaked out, and I can't fathom feeling that way in the inner-city hoods of OKC.

I'm sure there are some places in Northeast OKC or weird sections of Classen Ten-Penn where I wouldn't feel comfy walking around late at night, but Midtown is certainly not one of them.

This thread has me laughing out loud. I've never felt unsafe in Downtown or Midtown OKC. The thought of being scared behind Cafe do Brasil is beyond ridiculous and laughably absurd.

I've spent time on some mean streets in other US cities, when I was genuinely and understandably freaked out, and I can't fathom feeling that way in the inner-city hoods of OKC.

I'm sure there are some places in Northeast OKC or weird sections of Classen Ten-Penn where I wouldn't feel comfy walking around late at night, but Midtown is certainly not one of them.

no one was talking about behind Cafe do Brasil ..

no one was talking about behind Cafe do Brasil ..

OK. But the point is still the same. I've never felt unsafe walking around Midtown.

Isn't the Palo Duro subsidized elderly housing? Do all of the sketchy people seem to be coming in and out of the tattoo place?

There is some sort of drug addiction assistance or job placement place south of the Asian restaurant and just north of the tattoo place that is busy at 6:40 in the morning. I bike past there every morning and there is always someone who motivates me to pedal a bit faster.

This thread has me laughing out loud. I've never felt unsafe in Downtown or Midtown OKC. The thought of being scared behind Cafe do Brasil is beyond ridiculous and laughably absurd.

I've spent time on some mean streets in other US cities, when I was genuinely and understandably freaked out, and I can't fathom feeling that way in the inner-city hoods of OKC.

I'm sure there are some places in Northeast OKC or weird sections of Classen Ten-Penn where I wouldn't feel comfy walking around late at night, but Midtown is certainly not one of them.

I agree with you. Almost 100% of the time OKC is great. I am simply saying there is a stead stream of people in midtown in a particular area early in the morning when it is dark that leaves me feeling a bit uneasy.

Im not talking about night time. Im talking about super early in the morning.

This thread has me laughing out loud. I've never felt unsafe in Downtown or Midtown OKC. The thought of being scared behind Cafe do Brasil is beyond ridiculous and laughably absurd.

I've spent time on some mean streets in other US cities, when I was genuinely and understandably freaked out, and I can't fathom feeling that way in the inner-city hoods of OKC.

I'm sure there are some places in Northeast OKC or weird sections of Classen Ten-Penn where I wouldn't feel comfy walking around late at night, but Midtown is certainly not one of them.

I agree with you. Almost 100% of the time OKC is great. I am simply saying there is a stead stream of people in midtown in a particular area early in the morning when it is dark that leaves me feeling a bit uneasy.

Not sure why, but it seems the nefarious types are rarely early risers...

Not sure why, but it seems the nefarious types are rarely early risers...

Not when there is a hand out. Tons of bums get up early for food banks.

Ok, that is a different animal...someone wanting food compared to someone wanting to rob you or do you harm (thats what I meant by nefarious)

This week the OKC Economic Development Trust is set to approve the final TIF agreement that has allocated $1.1 million to the Midtown Renaissance group for the Osler, 1212 N. Walker, and the 430 Lofts.

Here are the highlights:


includes the obligation by the Developer to develop a $15.8 million dollar mixed use development project comprised of 40 single family residential units, a 60 room boutique hotel and approximately 6,000 square feet of mixed use development in the vicinity of N.W. 10th Street and Walker.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2013.

This means the Osler work should be starting soon and they seem committed to converting it to a 60 room boutique hotel.


This would add another important piece of the puzzle to that area of Midtown. Can't wait to see what's in store.

This week the OKC Economic Development Trust is set to approve the final TIF agreement that has allocated $1.1 million to the Midtown Renaissance group for the Osler, 1212 N. Walker, and the 430 Lofts.



This means the Osler work should be starting soon and they seem committed to converting it to a 60 room boutique hotel.


This would add another important piece of the puzzle to that area of Midtown. Can't wait to see what's in store.

This is more than "seems committed" right? It would obligate them to making a hotel in the Osler?

Yes, but I'm sure they could try and negotiate a change if they can't find a viable hotel operator.

Developer obligations... :yeahthat:

http://newsok.com/developers-seek-to-convert-midtowns-osler-building-into-a-boutique-hotel/article/3687614

I'm going to a club meeting for happy hour at Louie's across the street on Wednesday and am looking forward to seeing this area close up again. It's been about a year since I was last there.

ljbab, you should walk up to the top of the Plaza Court (McNellie's) parking deck and look out over the neighborhood OR go up to Cafe do Brasil's rooftop bar deck, also a great view (but more of downtown).