Just learned the sisters will be clearing out next month, which I believe is earlier than had been planned.

There may be a deal in the works for this property.

Shouldn't the Blues Brothers be showing up soon to save this place?

Just learned the sisters will be clearing out next month, which I believe is earlier than had been planned.

There may be a deal in the works for this property.

I saw a group of businessmen walking around there on my way home Friday afternoon. They were carrying big rolls of paper and such. Looked official.

Big rolls of paper!!

Actually, that's a pretty telling sign.

Me and Bradley spent time with them yesterday and he has cooked for them for some time. He's doing a story in the Sooner Catholic newspaper about them moving out within a month and was pretty emotional about it. He really got to know the sisters while working on his Midtown book. I took some photos and got the first group photo of the remaining sisters outside the "Mother" house all together. They had never done it surprisingly.

Great photo; also kind of sad:


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/8290d1403540310-villa-teresa-vt062314.jpg

Thanks for posting that for me.

While I'm very excited about the future of this property, it's quite sad to see that photo.

So, have I missed it? What happens the the current occupants? or is that chapter not yet started?

Big rolls of paper!!

Actually, that's a pretty telling sign.

yeah, that wallpaper is really gonna make the kitchen and sitting room POP!

Shouldn't the Blues Brothers be showing up soon to save this place?
"like"

Shouldn't the Blues Brothers be showing up soon to save this place?

*REALLY like*

As a Villa Teresa alum from the late 80s and early 90s it will be sad to see such a well-respected education option gone from downtown.

This should draw a crowd.

HISTORIC OKC CONVENT CLOSING ITS DOORS AFTER 86 YEARS | Estate Sales & Appraisals (http://www.okcestatesales.com/2014/10/villateresa/)

Definitely sad as this was the first school I ever attended.

attended Villa as well. How many grade schools have a pool? I was there when they did the Kindergarten annex across the street.
My hope for the grounds was that some charter school would start in its place. It would be a great place for a school for working parents who work downtown.

4 of the nuns in the picture were my teachers. (can anyone top that?)

This is sad.

What years did you attend Retro? I was there from 88-90 (pre-k through 1st grade) and was in the annex across the street when it opened.

In thinking more about the full context of the development boom, I kind of wish this would remain a Catholic school. We have enough places for development.

What years did you attend Retro? I was there from 88-90 (pre-k through 1st grade) and was in the annex across the street when it opened.

I was there from about 84-90. I never had class in the kindergarten but was a 4th grader when they started it.

I too wish this school had remained open and in its historical context. Particularly since it was run by an order of religious, I think it added an element of history and educational diversity, not just to Midtown but the city as a whole. Although I'm not Catholic, living in St. Louis which has such a network of historic, Catholic, urban schools, I have come to appreciate the sense of history and the immense educational value. The bars, local restaurants, shops, apts, everything going in Midtown is great, don't get me wrong. But it's all new, and I don't want the area to lack a sense of "soul."

attended Villa as well. How many grade schools have a pool? I was there when they did the Kindergarten annex across the street.
My hope for the grounds was that some charter school would start in its place. It would be a great place for a school for working parents who work downtown.

4 of the nuns in the picture were my teachers. (can anyone top that?)

I went there a tad{or more}before you and I can recognize 1 or 2 of them and that's being generous. This is sad to see, it was a beautiful building and had many a good memories there. Does anyone else remember the wonderful swimming pool they had there?

it is sad, particularly given the population influx that is happening (and really about to happen) downtown. They surely would have picked up many students and filled those rolls. Too bad they couldn't hang on.

they also had a great summer school program for working parents. It was arts and crafts in the morning, then swimming and naps in the afternoon.

they also had a great summer school program for working parents. It was arts and crafts in the morning, then swimming and naps in the afternoon.

Hell, I want to do that as an adult...

In thinking more about the full context of the development boom, I kind of wish this would remain a Catholic school. We have enough places for development.


I too wish this school had remained open and in its historical context. Particularly since it was run by an order of religious, I think it added an element of history and educational diversity, not just to Midtown but the city as a whole. Although I'm not Catholic, living in St. Louis which has such a network of historic, Catholic, urban schools, I have come to appreciate the sense of history and the immense educational value. The bars, local restaurants, shops, apts, everything going in Midtown is great, don't get me wrong. But it's all new, and I don't want the area to lack a sense of "soul."

Yes and yes.

At least the school is coming to an end at a time where the City and Midtown are completely booming.

I'm sure it will be purchased and redeveloped in the near future.

Officially listed (on the MLS!) for $6.5 million.

Note the realtor's emphasis on it NOT being historically preserved.

1300 Classen Drive (http://stevereeser.agentxsites.com/Listings/ListingDetails/ListingDetail.aspx?ListID=816399&FileName=defaultlistings.x)


The Villa Teresa Convent and School is located in the heart of Midtown, betweew 13th, Dewey, Classen, and Shartel. 6 Buildings consist of 59,770 sq ft MOL total, the largest being the convent w over 30K sq ft and 44 sleeping room. Approx 3.5 net acres or 152,435 net sq ft. This classic property is Zoned DTD-1 and is NOT historically preserved. A private tour of the campus is available w appt. & takes about and hour.

I took these last Sunday, October 12

https://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157648456049679/

Officially listed (on the MLS!) for $6.5 million.

Note the realtor's emphasis on it NOT being historically preserved.

1300 Classen Drive (http://stevereeser.agentxsites.com/Listings/ListingDetails/ListingDetail.aspx?ListID=816399&FileName=defaultlistings.x)

It is not usual to list these kinds of things on the MLS, right?

It is not usual to list these kinds of things on the MLS, right?

Pretty unusual for a commercial property to be listed on the MLS.

They are also using a residential realtor rather than a commercial broker for some reason.

Pretty unusual for a commercial property to be listed on the MLS.

They are also using a residential realtor rather than a commercial broker for some reason.

Sounds like a decision born of inexperience which might cost the sisters some serious $$$.

Also, it's interesting they are just openly listing this property.

I suppose the first $6.5 million (or close) takes it.

No formal bidding process to simultaneously evaluate any/all potential buyers and their plans, etc.


Usually, the property owner would ask for RFP's and be concerned about what happens to the property. Not saying they don't care, just a strange way to go about this.

This campus would be great for an elder care/hospice living center. It's got a commons, a garden and a pool. Quiet neighborhood, access to healthcare. It's a real gem for a purposeful buyer.

One of the issues with this property is a total lack of parking.

They could demolish some of the buildings for this purpose but I'd rather see the new owner purchase part of the church property to the NE or the vacant lot to the south. Otherwise the pool area could become the site for a small parking structure.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/teresaaerial2.jpg

One of the issues with this property is a total lack of parking.

They could demolish some of the buildings for this purpose but I'd rather see the new owner purchase part of the church property to the NE or the vacant lot to the south. Otherwise the pool area could become the site for a small parking structure.

As a member of that church (First Unitarian) I will say that we are not going anywhere! Indeed we might be more vibrant than in years.

Also that little triangle of land SE of the Unitarian Church and E of Villa Theresa is part of the VT campus, although you don't have it marked as such. That area was their main playground. Immediately after they closed the school they tore out all the playground equipment, though.

Edit: My point is that if the Unitarian church owned that lot we'd have already built something on it. Probably years ago.

As a member of that church (First Unitarian) I will say that we are not going anywhere! Indeed we might be more vibrant than in years.

Also that little triangle of land SE of the Unitarian Church and E of Villa Theresa is part of the VT campus, although you don't have it marked as such. That area was their main playground. Immediately after they closed the school they tore out all the playground equipment, though.

Edit: My point is that if the Unitarian church owned that lot we'd have already built something on it. Probably years ago.

Thanks for the correction -- I updated the aerial.

Since VT owns that lot to the east of the church, that would be a good spot for structured parking.

There is street parking on Classen Drive and some could be added on Dewey. Also, the SE corner of the property touches the streetcar route. Depending on the use for the property, I don't see a huge parking problem here. If the density of the site is increased, maybe.

When the school was open, there were tons of cars in that vacant lot to the south. Ultimately, the owner put up a fence to stop the practice.

And that was with nuns and kids; neither of those groups do a lot of driving. And with The Edge lot completely vacant.


There is 60,000 square feet of building space with more to come. They are going to have to create a parking lot and maybe even a structure.

Pete, at one point in the late 80's early 90's Villa Teresa owned or rented a lot that was at the southeast corner of 13th and Dewey. Do you know if they owned or just rented this? and when they sold it?

The playground equipment that was taken out was shipped to a mission parish in Peru. I was shown the pictures by the sisters.

Pete, at one point in the late 80's early 90's Villa Teresa owned or rented a lot that was at the southeast corner of 13th and Dewey. Do you know if they owned or just rented this? and when they sold it?

The SE corner of 13th & Dewey is where The Edge is being built.

It's been owned by the old Mercy hospital then OCURA for a while... I imagine they just paid them to park there.

Pete, at one point in the late 80's early 90's Villa Teresa owned or rented a lot that was at the southeast corner of 13th and Dewey. Do you know if they owned or just rented this? and when they sold it?

VT used to have a kindergarten(?) facility at that corner. There was a small one story building that they used just north of the old Mercy Hospital parking garage.

Steve tweeted that the property is under contract to be sold.

Hmm... Now the worrying begins as to what will become of it.

Hopefully it will be in good hands.

Any chance the Midtown Renaissance people got a hold of it? That would be great.

Steve makes a great point.

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It seems insane to clear a whole block of beautiful old buildings that are all in tact.... Oh wait. That's the MO around here.

RIP Villa Teresa

When I saw the asking price, I started to worry because there is no way to pay that much for the property and then use much of what's there.

Far too little square footage for such a high price.

And unfortunately, the nicest buildings are in the center of the property, which makes it hard to work around them.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Now is the time for preservationists to gear up for this fight.

Does anyone have any idea who the purchaser is?

Where there's a will, there's a way. Now is the time for preservationists to gear up for this fight.

Shouldn't have to fight to save this. This is indicative of OKC's present dire straits that we allowed.

Future of historic Villa Teresa School may be threatened | News OK (http://newsok.com/future-of-historic-villa-teresa-school-may-be-threatened/article/5456193)

Future of historic Villa Teresa School may be threatened | News OK (http://newsok.com/future-of-historic-villa-teresa-school-may-be-threatened/article/5456193)

I am all for mixed-use development, but Villa Teresa is special and it's not like Midtown has a shortage of land that could be developed. Hopefully it doesn't get torn down.

I made this point before, but when you ask the type of money they are, there is almost no way to make something work there while maintaining the current structures.

If the owners are really concerned with preservation, they should lower their price and work with a school or something similar.

Honestly I would need to see a rendering of the planned replacement before I judged demolition entirely inappropriate. Higher and better use IS possible here (especially with SOME included adaptive re-use), but it would have to be something truly exceptional. As in, nothing currently planned, under construction or recently completed downtown - as good as many of them are - would qualify.

I love how we seemingly, by default, vilify the prospective developer. The current state of the properties involved is hardly their fault.

I got the call last night, asking me, "Are you ready to try and start saving Villa Teresa?" I knew such a call would eventually make it my way. Believe it or not, this is a difficult situation. The sisters who remain, desperately need the sale of the property to go through, regardless of the buyer. That sale will find their future health care and cost of living, a steep price for them. They've earned it after 80+ years of community service, and with only a handful of Carmelites surviving the experience. So, I can't intervene or try in any way to prevent the sale. But afterwards? Who knows?

But there is a reality check here too, re these buildings. I spent a lot of time in them and a lot of time with the sisters and discussing them. The oldest building is the Motherhouse, built in 1917 (i think) so historically, it had the greatest value. The other buildings were added on through the decades. The school buildings could only be used as a school, in my opinion, but they are limiting and everything that may have been grandfathered in over the years would have to be brought to code. Which leads to the Motherhouse, also referred to as the Mansion. The layout of the building would really only offer two viable options. Either a Bed & Breakfast/Residential home (perhaps even something similar to the Ronald McDonald House on the NE side) or as a stand alone office, like for an attorney firm. HOWEVER, bringing the mansion up to code AND making it handicap accessible (one of the many reasons the sisters couldn't stay) would be very costly. The options make use of the Mansuon alone, extremely limiting. The land value is worth what the sisters are asking. It is the land that is its most valuable commodity. Now all of this is just my opinion.

The two year long battle I just went thru with Oklahoma City, in efforts to save the 90 year old Film Exchange building, which left me standing alone before those committees and community, with the exception of the few good friends who struggled with me early on or joined me in a protest outside the building a few months ago, ended in failure, taking the wind from my sails. That loss continues to hurt. The decision was made to tear it down just to open the space for the view. So, taking on trying to save another historic legacy property like Villa Teresa, would be a hard choice.

Villa Teresa is near and dear to my heart, but so too its former residents, of which i owe a huge gratitude. So, let the property be sold. Then come ask me that question.

The following images were all taken inside the Mansion.

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The Motherhouse (Mansion)
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Honestly I would need to see a rendering of the planned replacement before I judged demolition entirely inappropriate. Higher and better use IS possible here (especially with SOME included adaptive re-use), but it would have to be something truly exceptional. As in, nothing currently planned, under construction or recently completed downtown - as good as many of them are - would qualify.

I completely agree but also expect to be fully disappointed.

Honestly I would need to see a rendering of the planned replacement before I judged demolition entirely inappropriate. Higher and better use IS possible here (especially with SOME included adaptive re-use), but it would have to be something truly exceptional. As in, nothing currently planned, under construction or recently completed downtown - as good as many of them are - would qualify.

No it isn't. There are some things you don't demo. This is one.

What's happening here in okc is very unique and goes way beyond normal "higher and better use" in other cities. Not saving a site like this is practically going out of your way to tear down any remaining evidence of what OKC used to be.