Old Hale Photo Building
620 N. Broadway (http://g.co/maps/wzwns)
owner=Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors
cost=$176,000 April 2012
finish=1948
height=1.5 floors
sq. feet=4,200
acerage=.16
http://www.okctalk.com/images/wikiphotos/halephoto1.jpg
Information & Latest News
6/6/12: Owner proposed 3-4 story building after demo (http://newsok.com/hale-photography-building-in-downtown-oklahoma-city-is-sold-set-for-demolition/article/3681783)
5/7/12: Demolition permit issued
4/1/12: Building sold to Land Run Commercial
12/3/11: Building may be declared dilapidated (http://newsok.com/hale-photo-building-threatened-with-dilapidation-declaration/article/3628621)
Links
County Assessor Record (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R010011588)
Gallery

It has/had a weird loft inside. I noticed a few weeks ago through the store window that there had been a collapse of some sort. I'm guessing the roof caved and took down part of that loft. The rest of the building is pretty stout-looking though. I think it could probably get a new roof and be fine. Lots of potential.

I'm not sure when Delores Hale closed the store. She ran her late husband's photo supply business in there for years. She was one of my favorite people to chat with when I made rounds in AA.

The shape of the building exudes "diner" to me. Something we sorely need downtown although Kamps has done a great deal to help with the breakfast option deficit. Small grocer perhaps? The back part could make a cool house with a roof deck too. Is there any parking or adjacent lot that is also part of the Hale's ownership?

The big surface lot directly south is owned by SandRidge but this property includes a small amount of parking on the south side of the building (shown in yellow):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/6thbroadway.jpg

The Hale Photo building has collapsed inside. Too Bad!

Did this just happen?

I looked in there 2-3 weeks ago and it was a mess but not destroyed.

So yes, it happened recently. This looks like a $300,000 project to me.

What are the odds it becomes a parking lot?

Had a friend that use to pay the Hales to park there when he worked downtown.... But I expect the lease for the billboard is where the real money comes from... so not much incentive for things to change. So as has been mentioned before this is a building that is going into the demolition by negelect column.... Any one taking bets has to how long it will be standing?

Billboard rent pays very little, especially for a junior board like that one. Maybe $100 rent per month at best.

What are the odds it becomes a parking lot?

$5 says Sandridge buys it, tears it down, and the whole section of that block becomes a mixed use project.

$5 says Sandridge buys it, tears it down, and the whole section of that block becomes a mixed use project.

Doesn't Sandridge also own the lot on the west side between 4th and 5th?

Doesn't Sandridge also own the lot on the west side between 4th and 5th?

Yes.

Saw a notice from the city taped to the front door of the Hale Photo building this afternoon. Probably about the roof collapse.

Is the Hale Photo building for sale?

Applicant appeared at Council today regarding asking for 760 days to replace the roof and secure the structure of the Hale Photo building. Removed from dilapidated designation list and reviewed January 17th.

Applicant say he wants to restore the building using his partner, Richardson Homes, and consider either renting the space or moving his advertising firm into it.

Applicant appeared at Council today regarding asking for 760 days to replace the roof and secure the structure of the Hale Photo building. Removed from dilapidated designation list and reviewed January 17th.

Applicant say he wants to restore the building using his partner, Richardson Homes, and consider either renting the space or moving his advertising firm into it.

2+ YEARS sounds like a very long time. Must mean they don't have the money or plans to do it in a timely manner.

Hale Photo building being declared dilapitdated?

http://newsok.com/hale-photo-building-threatened-with-dilapidation-declaration/article/3628621

The Hale Photo Building looks pretty much untouched except for an exterior stucco patch on the north side. I wonder what is going on with this building.

Hale Photo building being declared dilapitdated?

http://newsok.com/hale-photo-building-threatened-with-dilapidation-declaration/article/3628621

Midwest Wrecking at the Hale building this morning. They looked like they were only taking photos of the building, but it was Midwest Wrecking taking the photos.

The old Hale Photo Building (620 N. Broadway) was just sold last month for $176,500, which seems like an incredible bargain.

It's now owned by Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors: http://www.lrcre.com/

No demolition or building permit has been issued as of yet.

wow... that's a prime spot for only $176k. there has to be a story there. -M

They better not demolish this gem of a structure.

I thought the previous owner got an extension of 60 days by the city to fix some things with the structure to keep it from being declared dilapidated. So he never did that, but now gets to sell it?

Makes you wonder if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing. I mean, "city process underway" versus the timing of the sale. The new owner could ask for a "stay" but better do it fast. Usually plans being filed are the best way. Or scramble and get a roofing contractor.

Pete probably knows faster than anyone what is happening before the Action Department even gets word. Recalcitrant former owner doesn't forward the notices on and such. Been through this before.

They better not demolish this gem of a structure.

For me that would depend on what it would be replaced with. I still think they work a deal with Sandridge to develop the whole block.

For me that would depend on what it would be replaced with. I still think they work a deal with Sandridge to develop the whole block.

Exactly. If you demolish it but replace it with a 5-7 story building that encompassed the entire block then I say tear that sucker down.

With Midwest looking at the building it could also be a demolition of the inside with the outside to remain and and rebuilt within those walls. I have seen that done before with some Main Street projects and I know there have been some new buildings built within a shell of an existing building. Midwest could have been assessing what would need to be done for that kind of project.

The inside has pretty much demolished itself.

Buildings don't demolish themselves. The owners absolutely let this building go, and the city's been trying to figure out this situation for the last year (mostly sitting idly by, having pleasant chats with the owner about ideal plans for the future). I don't know if it's beyond repair, but it might be. A historical survey should be done to ascertain how feasible repairs would be, as I think we can all agree this building should be saved if it's possible to do so.

What I would be curious to find out is if there is a way for the city to declare something dilapidated and close in on a property with the intent of getting it preserved, not getting it demolished.

Buildings don't demolish themselves. The owners absolutely let this building go...

I agree. I was trying to make a joke. But yes, it would be nice to see the city move in on a property and instead of demolish it, save it.

In the last few days the old neon sign was removed. Something is going to happen with this building and I bet soon.

Sigh

agreed :(

Looks like the city is declaring it dilapidated. Watch for it on upcoming city council agendas..

I'm still holding out hope for a positive resolution from last month's sale to an investment group, but we know how this one usually turns out.

Looks like the city is declaring it dilapidated. Watch for it on upcoming city council agendas..

I'm still holding out hope for a positive resolution from last month's sale to an investment group, but we know how this one usually turns out.

pretty sure it was declared dilapidated in jan

There was a demolition permit issued on 5/27.

****!

pretty sure it was declared dilapidated in jan

I thought Salyer had moved for a significant continuance then. Damn.

http://newsok.com/hale-photography-building-in-downtown-oklahoma-city-is-sold-set-for-demolition/article/3681783

This sounds encouraging, at least.


Once the Hale property is cleared, he is looking at development of a three- to four-story building on the site. He has a contract to buy the former OPUBCO rack shop building and surface lot to the east of the Hale building, which he will use for parking.

“We like to take ugly buildings and make them pretty when we can, and when we can't, we like to take an area and take it to its best use,” Russell said.

I would expect them to be working as an intermediary (a la Preftakes/Devon) for SR, which has planned to put a new building on that site and another between 5th and 4th on the other side of Broadway.

SandRidge is a very long way from developing those adjoining Broadway properties, as they have several huge project in their queue: Finish the tower and Braniff Building, the amenities building and Kerr Park, remodel and expand the Broadway/Kerr parking garage and build a new office structure east of their tower. That's going to keep them occupied for at least 5-7 years.

I think this group legitimately will develop it as they have outlined... If SandRidge was involved there would be no need to acquire the additional parking that is mentioned in the article.


HATE to see that building go. Shame on the Hale family for not maintaining it and letting it rot beyond saving.

Some architectural samples have been taken. I am hoping that those, along with the neon sign will be incorporated into the new building.

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0121.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0120.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0122.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0119.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0118.jpg
Mess inside the building
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0117.jpg

What's going on with that 3-story brick warehouse across 5th, backing up to the BNSF tracks?

Renovations to the 2nd floor. 3rd floor I believe is done and the owner's residence.

Cool.

By the way, an update on the Hale Photo Building - this building was demolished between 7 and 8 tonight. I sent a demolition pic to Pete, for you guys' benefit. I know we all love some demo porn, and to grieve..
:band:

I saw that a little earlier, a friend posted one up on his FB...it is just sad that the building was left to get to the point of being demolished.

I saw that a little earlier, a friend posted one up on his FB...it is just sad that the building was left to get to the point of being demolished.

This pretty much sums up the entire urban renewal history in OKC. The crime wasn't tearing down all the buildings, it was allowing them to be abandoned in the first place.

This pretty much sums up the entire urban renewal history in OKC. The crime wasn't tearing down all the buildings, it was allowing them to be abandoned in the first place.

and what would you do from a policy point of view to prevent it from happening?

and what would you do from a policy point of view to prevent it from happening?

That decision was made long ago but I would have started by not building freeways, paving new roads all over the plains, and expanding city services to cover 650 sq miles. Urban sprawl in the 1950s was encouraged at every level of government because it was viewed as progress - and it killed us.

There is a city-based project to inventory buildings of historical significance, which would be a good start.

Beyond that, any citizen can report a dilapidated structure and at least have the city put the owners on notice they have to keep it maintained. Being proactive about that sort of thing might prevent buildings that are just rotting until it's too late to save them.

There is a city-based project to inventory buildings of historical significance, which would be a good start.

Beyond that, any citizen can report a dilapidated structure and at least have the city put the owners on notice they have to keep it maintained. Being proactive about that sort of thing might prevent buildings that are just rotting until it's too late to save them.

if a citizen reports a building dilapidated .. .and then the owner doesn't want to fix it ... the city tears it down ....

That decision was made long ago but I would have started by not building freeways, paving new roads all over the plains, and expanding city services to cover 650 sq miles. Urban sprawl in the 1950s was encouraged at every level of government because it was viewed as progress - and it killed us.

So, you prefer the communist point of view. They formally espoused the kind of city you propose. No choice for a different style living. Making travel and movement difficult so communications between populations was made more difficult. The efficiency of the city and the government was THE most important thing and freedom of choice was not important...regardless of the problems of inner cities. I think the blaming of our government for urban sprawl and ignoring the fact that some people reject your theory of the perfect life is unreasonable. Enabling people to do things they desire is not the same as creating the desire for them to do it. There should be an allowance for choice of lifestyle and let the people vote with their dollars. Make it of great value (and I don't mean just $) to live communally and people will do it. That is our objective...to make it more attractive to live the urban life, not to BAN living a suburban life. The government is not our enemy on this, but they can be a great ally.

The sadness of losing the Hale building, or others like it is that it is not yet perceived valuable enough to even keep it at a minimally acceptable level. We should target all those similar building in the core and focus on not letting them get to that point by advocating their value. If the whole development of downtown had started a decade earlier I doubt the Hale or the other buildings would have been demolished as they would have had greater value as an ongoing concern. Sometimes timing is everything.

if a citizen reports a building dilapidated .. .and then the owner doesn't want to fix it ... the city tears it down ....

I know that does happen but my thought was that it could be reported before it gets past the point of saving.

If you want to talk about it Rover we can discuss it on the General Urban thread. This thread is about what was once the Hale building.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24698

There is a city-based project to inventory buildings of historical significance, which would be a good start.

Beyond that, any citizen can report a dilapidated structure and at least have the city put the owners on notice they have to keep it maintained. Being proactive about that sort of thing might prevent buildings that are just rotting until it's too late to save them.

But there may be some worth fighting to keep that might not have historic significance, per se. Maybe we can start a bulletin board of endangered buildings and draw attention to them without "turning them in" officially. Maybe it becomes a bulletin board that potential investors might peruse to find hidden gems...affordable reclamation projects.

Rover, I floated a similar idea recently.

My thought now is to use the board to help solicit and coordinate volunteers that would work with the city to help inventory and monitor these structures.

I'm going to contact them and see how we could work together. I'll report back.

I hate to disagree with everyone on this thread, but I really didn’t see any great architectural features or historical significance to this building. I run by this building every day and am a downtown resident and have always wondered what could be done with it. But the building does not even have window on the side and is built of concrete blocks. I think sometimes these (like the Hale) building just need to be torn down and something else useful built. Some sort of sentiment if good, but it should not stand in the way of progress.

I loved the Hale Building. I thought it had some great potential. Even though I've never had a retail store, that building made me want to buy it and start one. I went by today and now all we have is another block long parking lot. I would like to think the purchaser of that building will develop the land, but I wouldn't be terribly shocked to see asphalt go down.

Anyone have photos of it since it has been torn down?

I loved the Hale Building. I thought it had some great potential. Even though I've never had a retail store, that building made me want to buy it and start one. I went by today and now all we have is another block long parking lot. I would like to think the purchaser of that building will develop the land, but I wouldn't be terribly shocked to see asphalt go down.

I believe there was an article a couple of weeks ago that said he was going to build a 3 or 4 story building on that space......unless I just drempt it.

I just went back and post #38 confirms the developers intentions is to replace with a larger structure.