Interurban restaurants is planning an upscale concept in the Packard building. Not sure how much space it will take up though.

Building permit today by Interurban Management for 3,948 square feet in the Packard Building.

Yet another awesome addition to this enclave of beautifully restored buildings.

My husband and I have counted 20+ restaurants within 4 blocks of our office at 9th and Robinson. (Not one BBQ restaurant btw). I am not complaining because I love having so many options. But I am wondering where the saturation point is for restaurants and when we can see some other kind of local retail and what that retail might look like.

But I am wondering where the saturation point is for restaurants and when we can see some other kind of local retail and what that retail might look like.

+1

Remember, there is a Wine & Palette location going into the Packard as well.

My husband and I have counted 20+ restaurants within 4 blocks of our office at 9th and Robinson. (Not one BBQ restaurant btw). I am not complaining because I love having so many options. But I am wondering where the saturation point is for restaurants and when we can see some other kind of local retail and what that retail might look like.

The vast majority of those restaurants are "destination" places that probably get the majority of their business from suburbanites. If you had 20 restaurants together that consisted of Applebees and Olive Garden-type places it wouldn't be sustainable. There's nothing special about those places to convince people from Shawnee and Yukon to drive 20-30 miles for a "night on the town". On the flip side, you won't find a Ludivine-type concept in those places either.

I don't think we are near the point of saturation yet, provided that restauranteurs can keep coming up with unique and high-quality concepts. In the future you will see more neighborhood type places (i.e. Louies) when there is more people living in downtown/midtown.

Def agree with the BBQ thing. I am still upset about the departure of Leo's from their Harrison Ave location. Why o why couldn't they pay their taxes?

Remember, there is a Wine & Palette location going into the Packard as well.

I think that's a different niche that may not compete with restaurants as much.

I think that's a different niche that may not compete with restaurants as much.

Yes, I mentioned it because it isn't a restaurant.

Here are some cool photos of the Packard.

The first is a before and after, the next three are of the rooftop deck that faces 10th and the last three are of the Blue Knight Energy space.


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





http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packarddeck1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packarddeck2.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packarddeck3.jpg





http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/blueknight1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/blueknight2.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/blueknight3.jpg

I will be attending a party on the Packard rooftop Saturday night. I will snap some shots of the rooftop and the views you get at night.

Building permit today for the Interurban concept in this building, to be called Packards New American Kitchen

They'll be taking 3,948 square feet.

****ty name. Possibly serious sandwiches?

The previous rumors have been that this will be an upscale concept from the Interurban.

I'm sure it will be nice, I just don't understand lengthy restaurant names... Oh well, yay for new stuff!

I bet it will be branded simply as "Packards".

PackNAK...kinda like Picknick...

Good thing I'm not in marketing...

Several "Coming Soon" signs in the windows today. Restaurant on the corner and a couple others on the south side of the building. Sorry but I can't remember the exact names since I was driving. Looking forward to visiting these new businesses.

We know Packard's New American Kitchen (upscale Interurban concept) will be taking the corner and Wine and Pallet will be another tenant.

The restaurant's FB page says they'll be opening in December.

That's it - thanks Pete. I was going to take a couple photos but the light changed to green.:)

We know Packard's New American Kitchen (upscale Interurban concept) will be taking the corner and Wine and Pallet will be another tenant.

The restaurant's FB page says they'll be opening in December.

In addition to those two, the other tenant, just west of the Wine and Pallet, will be a salon. The name was something like Salon 8.

Recent photo from atop Packard's rooftop deck:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/522196_413577295363980_1521198472_n.jpg

I sure do wish that OKC had better year round weather with all these roof-top patios popping up.

It's really exciting to see more and more places like this pop up in OKC!!!!!! :)

Packard's New American Kitchen coming along:


http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/305568_418111088243934_880248172_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/599926_418110994910610_1346236875_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/68296_418111014910608_810038388_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/600146_418111061577270_349645916_n.jpg

I'm a huge fan of what they are doing, but good grief it is a shame that they took down the ornate plaster ceiling when they started renovating the building a couple of years ago. It was really similar to what we're seeing restored in the Braniff Building.

I'm a huge fan of what they are doing, but good grief it is a shame that they took down the ornate plaster ceiling when they started renovating the building a couple of years ago. It was really similar to what we're seeing restored in the Braniff Building.

Ouch - that is unfortunate. The Braniff project is going to be one of the most unique reuses of a building I have seen. Too bad about the Packard ceilings but I think it will turn out nice.

I will be attending a party on the Packard rooftop Saturday night. I will snap some shots of the rooftop and the views you get at night.

The rooftop looks great. My sister tried to book it for a wedding reception and they completely ignored her inquiries.

MidtownR has posted a few pics of The Packard on their site. Not sure how old they are.

Office interior shots:

http://www.midtownr.com/img/packard/midtown-renaissance-packard-office-1.jpg

http://www.midtownr.com/img/packard/midtown-renaissance-packard-office-2.jpg

http://www.midtownr.com/img/packard/midtown-renaissance-packard-office-3.jpg

http://www.midtownr.com/img/packard/midtown-renaissance-packard-office-4.jpg


Exterior:

http://www.midtownr.com/img/packard/Midtown-Renaissance-Packard-Exterior.jpg


Retail floor:

http://www.midtownr.com/img/packard/midtown-renaissance-packard-retail-1.jpg


Rooftop view:

http://www.midtownr.com/img/packard/midtown-renaissance-packard-roof-view-1.jpg

Badass!!!!! I love that rooftop and that blue light running down in the 3rd pic is awesome!

I had missed these pics from earlier in this thread, but recently noticed them.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packard619121.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packard619121a.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0166-1.jpg

What a lovely area. The restored old buildings, the landscaping, and of course, that amazing church.

When I look at those pics above, it fills me full of pride for my city.

Does that make me a dork? I think it does. Oh well...
:wink:

Packard's New American Kitchen is getting close to opening...

That original black & white flooring is going to be awesome.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packards1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packards2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packards3.jpg

That looks great! I wonder how you would go about booking the rooftop for an event?

Packard's New American Kitchen is getting close to opening...

That original black & white flooring is going to be awesome.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packards1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packards2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packards3.jpg


They're shooting for mid march

More photos from Packard's FB page:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/485061_455764907811885_99256047_n.jpg


http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/72615_455765034478539_509939997_n.jpg


http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644241_455765097811866_140193835_n.jpg

Thanks, I've been meaning to post this. Furniture has been in there a week or two, and definitely getting close. The salon on the other side of wine and palette is about ready as well.

The interior finishes look great (well, except for that wall timber that's missing a chunk)

I like the contemporary lines and finish as contrasted to the traditional building.

I'm looking forward to settling into those comfortable booths to hang out. It will be sweet living next door and adjacent to two restaurants. The owners said they were anticipate having brunch on the weekends.

I'm looking forward to settling into those comfortable booths to hang out. It will be sweet living next door and adjacent to two restaurants. The owners said they were anticipate having brunch on the weekends.

Not to mention being across the street from this masterpiece

http://www.greatmirror.com/images/masters/019212.jpg

Floorplan for Packard's New American Kitchen, which is getting very close to opening:

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

Packard's is getting real close (photo credit to their FB page):

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/45723_471090632945979_1435578950_n.jpg

Seeing places like this open in a neighborhood like Midtown/Auto Alley, it makes me chuckle when we put so much stock into Bricktown's tenants ten or so years ago.

Seeing places like this open in a neighborhood like Midtown/Auto Alley, it makes me chuckle when we put so much stock into Bricktown's tenants ten or so years ago.

I think that it is good to have many areas that have their own personality. Bricktown, Automobile Alley, Midtown, the Plaza District and the Paseo each have their own personality and all of them attract a different group. With that being said Bricktown was all that we had in the mid 1990's and I was darn glad to have it. I think all the other areas have spun off of and grown because of Bricktown. I especially like Bricktown for lunch, very walkable from my office in downtown.

I am excited that this new restaurant will open soon... but they said they would be open "this Winter," and it is already the next season. Why the hold up on Packard's New American Kitchen ? Anyone know if they have an actual date set or time frame for their opening ??? Do we know anything about their menu ?

They should be open in a week or two.

They are planning to open around April 1st. They are currently training staff and on Wednesday did a couple of small parties as practice runs. I believe that this is owned by the interurban guys who are are also opening the steakhouse on top of the Founders Tower

Packard is owned by the interurban restaurnt group. The founders tower restaurant is being put together by one of the group's silent investors but is not related to interurban outside of that; it will be independently operated by that investor.

Another one from the Packard FB page:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/221676_471934642861578_840984114_n.jpg

Love it. This looks a lot like a diner I went to in San Francisco. Can't remember the name, however.

Saw them do a soft opening lunch yesterday so they're definitely close.

I talked with them today. They are ready to open they are waiting in a few permits.

Has anyone eaten here? I'd love a review.

Its very good...

Sorry I'm not a good detail person.

The Packard is nice. I'm for it. Some argue that it is slightly overpriced, especially considering that it's drink menu is a rip from Ludivine (former bar employees from Ludivine now at Packard) and the menu also has Ludivine like qualities. For example, now there are 2 places in Midtown, and perhaps all of Oklahoma City, that have a Charcuterie Tray appetizer? Coincidence? Probably not. No complaints here though. I love charcuterie trays so the more the merrier.

From certain vantage points at the bar and some tables on the first floor, you can get an 180 degree view of Midtown/Downtown through those giant floor to ceiling windows that is really quite amazing. It gives you the feel that you're not really in Oklahoma City.

The Packard is nice. I'm for it. Some argue that it is slightly overpriced, especially considering that it's drink menu is a rip from Ludivine (former bar employees from Ludivine now at Packard) and the menu also has Ludivine like qualities. For example, now there are 2 places in Midtown, and perhaps all of Oklahoma City, that have a Charcuterie Tray appetizer? Coincidence? Probably not. No complaints here though. I love charcuterie trays so the more the merrier.

From certain vantage points at the bar and some tables on the first floor, you can get an 180 degree view of Midtown/Downtown through those giant floor to ceiling windows that is really quite amazing. It gives you the feel that you're not really in Oklahoma City.

I was there when the the drink menu was created and it is absolutely not a rip from Ludevine. The Ludevine bartender wasn't even hired on until the week before the soft openings began. At that point almost all of the drink menu had already been created. He added ingredients to a few of the drinks (1 to 3 out of the ten) but that was the extend of his involvement. Ive seen several reviews that give him a lot more credit than he is due for Packard's drink menu because of his history downtown. A few were inspired by drinks from other restaurants but none were from ludevine (or even from restaurants in the downtown area for that matter). As a specific example, at least two of the drinks were inspired by some of interurbans more popular dishes and deserts over the years.

I was there when the the drink menu was created and it is absolutely not a rip from Ludevine. The Ludevine bartender wasn't even hired on until the week before the soft openings began. At that point almost all of the drink menu had already been created. He added ingredients to a few of the drinks (1 to 3 out of the ten) but that was the extend of his involvement. Ive seen several reviews that give him a lot more credit than he is due for Packard's drink menu because of his history downtown. A few were inspired by drinks from other restaurants but none were from ludevine (or even from restaurants in the downtown area for that matter). As a specific example, at least two of the drinks were inspired by some of interurbans more popular dishes and deserts over the years.

On edit: That's not to say that the Ludevine guy isn't a very good bartender because he is, he just wasn't behind the majority of the menu.

On edit: That's not to say that the Ludevine guy isn't a very good bartender because he is, he just wasn't behind the majority of the menu.

He is a good bartender but speed of service is not a particular asset of his. Don't order a cocktail if you want to be served somewhat quickly.

5 to 15 minutes is a totally reasonable amount of time for a well crafted cocktail to be made (depending on how busy the place is). If crown & coke or a cosmopolitan is being sought out, a non craft-cocktail bar is probably where one should go.

5 to 15 minutes is a totally reasonable amount of time for a well crafted cocktail to be made (depending on how busy the place is). If crown & coke or a cosmopolitan is being sought out, a non craft-cocktail bar is probably where one should go.

15 min is not reasonable in any bar ..

15 min is not reasonable in any bar ..

I'm not an expert, but it's my understanding that high quality crafted cocktails are not intended to be made quickly. There's a really cool bar in Tulsa's Brady District called Valkyrie (review here (http://tulsafood.com/downtown/valkyrie-a-swank-new-joint-downtown-tulsa)) and they only let a certain number of people in the bar because of the time it takes to make drinks. It's a different experience because you can be waiting in a line and the bar looks half empty. It's a great concept though.