I doubt the mystery tower is going to be a spec building and will be much larger than 200,000 sq. feet. Personally, I think this is much better than Sandridge occupy those building because it opens the door for smaller companies to move downtown and expand the job base. This space should go quickly and with some luck the new tenants will be in need of more space soon. I bet the current board is wishing they had 3 more buildings to sell instead of a bunch of landscaping they have to maintain. I wonder if they might consider selling those parcels where the buildings one stood. Two of those parcels are corner lots which could bring some pretty decent money.

My thoughts as well.

I feel bad for the restaurateur who invested a lot of money to locate in that building.

No respect for Tom Ward. No respect for SandRidge. Lame.

That restaurateur is doing very well. Why would you feel sorry for them?

Steve is on it.

SandRidge changes plans for new buildings | News OK (http://newsok.com/sandridge-changes-plans-for-new-buildings/article/3804656)

I wonder what they might be considering regarding the parking.

So the Amenities building will be renamed the Parkside and will now be 11 stories?

I doubt the mystery tower is going to be a spec building and will be much larger than 200,000 sq. feet. Personally, I think this is much better than Sandridge occupy those building because it opens the door for smaller companies to move downtown and expand the job base. This space should go quickly and with some luck the new tenants will be in need of more space soon. I bet the current board is wishing they had 3 more buildings to sell instead of a bunch of landscaping they have to maintain. I wonder if they might consider selling those parcels where the buildings one stood. Two of those parcels are corner lots which could bring some pretty decent money.

I doubt the cost of maintianing the landscaping is that big of deal to them, it's not like they're maintiaing 1.5 square miles worth of campus or something. The landscaping cost is a minimal expense of their G&A. I'm sure the new board would prefer more leaseable space (and I would prefer the buildings were still there), but I don't think anyone is crying over the cost of maintaining that little amount of landscaping.

Of course had they kept the buildings, they would've had to invest a good deal of money to renovate them for lease or sell them, which the board hasn't shown any indication of wanting to do so far. There's a big difference between selling buildings on the campus and leasing them out. At least while leasing them they can still use them for future growth if necessary. Having said that, if SD sells out all bets are off.

As I've said before, I would rather they not demo'ed all of the buildings, but I also don't think it's the colossal failure that some are making it out to be.

I doubt the mystery tower is going to be a spec building and will be much larger than 200,000 sq. feet. Personally, I think this is much better than Sandridge occupy those building because it opens the door for smaller companies to move downtown and expand the job base. This space should go quickly and with some luck the new tenants will be in need of more space soon. I bet the current board is wishing they had 3 more buildings to sell instead of a bunch of landscaping they have to maintain. I wonder if they might consider selling those parcels where the buildings one stood. Two of those parcels are corner lots which could bring some pretty decent money.

really the huge landscaping expanse? that tiny % of their yearly budget is probably not an issue

I think some of you are focusing on the wrong part of my comment. The jest is that they took potential income producing land and turned it into an expense. It seems that is counter-productive to the direction of the new board. I am not sure what the India Temple building was worth, but I'll bet it was worth a lot more than a few rows of trees.

I think some of you are focusing on the wrong part of my comment. The jest is that they took potential income producing land and turned it into an expense. It seems that is counter-productive to the direction of the new board. I am not sure what the India Temple building was worth, but I'll bet it was worth a lot more than a few rows of trees.

in the state that it was in it was not worth anything .. the empty lot is worth more

in the state that it was in it was not worth anything .. the empty lot is worth more

So maybe they will sell the lot then. They seem to have a lot of property that doesn't do anything to help the bottom line. I have thought all along that it was only a matter of time before these lots were redeveloped anyhow. I suspect that once the Park and Braniff buildings are leased they will go on the market.

So maybe they will sell the lot then. They seem to have a lot of property that doesn't do anything to help the bottom line. I have thought all along that it was only a matter of time before these lots were redeveloped anyhow. I suspect that once the Park and Braniff buildings are leased they will go on the market.

doubt full ... they have many other lots they could sell first .. and no matter the state of the board unless/ until they sell the company they are not going to want to go to work at a construction site

doubt full ... they have many other lots they could sell first .. and no matter the state of the board unless/ until they sell the company they are not going to want to go to work at a construction site

What have people who work for SandRidge been doing this entire time?

Is it possible that SandRidge is saying they are going to lease out this space to appease their board?
By retaining the properties, they still have flexibility to grow into them, and I doubt they will sign a long term leases (10 years) to who occupies them.

This is good news for Class A office space downtown, but WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO PARK?

doubt full ... they have many other lots they could sell first .. and no matter the state of the board unless/ until they sell the company they are not going to want to go to work at a construction site

Agree with this, as long as SD is in control of the property, the commons will stick to the original plan (at least in appearance). With all the extra land they have to sell/develop, there is no reason for them to sell or redevelop all of the property that they just spent 3 years designing and landscaping. If any of the former building location are redeveloped, it will be after SD is sold and that is not even a given. Who's to say that if SD sells, whoever buys them won't keep the office here, make it there HQ, or buy it to continue on as sandridge (not a large corporate buyer). OKC is the closest major city to all of their assets and and at under 3 billion, one rich person could buy the majority share of SD. If any of those scenarios occur, there is no telling what happens. The only likely situation in which the rest of the site would be developed, would be SD being sold, moved, and the site being peicemealed out. If the site is sold to another corporate tenant, I doubt much will change.

How does this change in plans effect the spot where the India Temple used to be...you know, the one they just HAD to tear down)?

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/8796858219_7f8b39b31f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/8796858219/)
Braniff Building (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/8796858219/) by lazio85 (http://www.flickr.com/people/77483833@N04/), on Flickr

Anybody have photos inside the building yet?
I know they have already started marketing the space for lease..

How does this change in plans effect the spot where the India Temple used to be...you know, the one they just HAD to tear down)?

It means that, despite Sandridge's struggles, we were able to at least get rid of an historic structure and finally create some drastically needed open space in downtown.

A recent one from Spartan's Instagram page.

Note the umbrellas... Kitchen No. 324 must be very close to opening their outdoor dinning.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/braniff71113.jpg

My sister and her teacher-friends had lunch there yesterday & dined outside.

Will said he took some new photos of that outdoor area so those should be posted soon.

Actually people have been dining in that area for some weeks. I caught a few having lunch there when TRYING to capture the elusive (and alleged) crowds of people enjoying lunchtimes in the windswept corporate plaza adjacent.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157634592956455/

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/9264537790_8d5939bf83_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/9264535904_8e71469e63_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/9261757463_841a645f14_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/9264520626_8c44899159_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/9264517638_5bd695bcaf_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/9264515466_f8c3a5023d_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/9264513422_9864eb1a41_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/9261734873_5dd3173b3a_b.jpg

Very nice.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/9268004892_82f7b5e72c_h.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/9265226773_cf3665adda_h.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9268000134_ace70ce242_h.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9267996218_0a1a9c0c51_k.jpg

Man, the space inside Kitchen 324 is so great...

Has the shave shop moved in yet?

Ate at Kitchen on Saturday morning and noticed they are very close to finishing out the lobby facing east (towards the plaza) and the upper floors of that building.

In the lobby, they were just finishing up the tile work and the lights were on in all the upper floors.

Will be interesting to see who leases the space there, but it looks to be ready very soon

http://local.fishbowl.com/Images/Messages/00422303/KitchenParkingEmail.jpg

^

Nice!

Usually, there is plenty of street parking on weekends and in the evenings, but obviously the P180 work will change that for a number of months.

Great of SandRidge to offer this compromise, especially as they get set to start their dinner service.

nm

New signs going up today:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1002494_10202431068565146_1321024943_n.jpg

Aaaah! Can't see the full sign -- guy's head is in the way.

Oh well, it's alright. I know what the logo looks like anyway. :)

Cool. More signage is always good.

Does anyone know what SandRidge's total cost to renovate the Braniff building was?

Does anyone know what SandRidge's total cost to renovate the Braniff building was?

They were issued about $6 million in building permits (shell and floor finish-out) but that doesn't include the initial purchase ($22 million) or furniture, fixtures and equipment.

But since they are now not planning to move in themselves, the FFE part should be quite low.

This also doesn't include any tenant finishes.

FYI the Barber Shop closed doors a few months ago. Has anyone heard what will be taking its' place?

Sad to hear that, but I knew in my heart that location was a bad idea at the time. Hate to be right in this instance.

It's been discussed here already, but yes, the Barber Salon closed a few months ago. This was due to Jamie's, the owner's, personal situation, not necessarily the location. Although it was relatively slow whenever I was there, it was busier than when they were on the 14th floor of First National.

Now, the space has been re-leased to another barber. I haven't been (I found a new place after Jamie moved away), but it looks like the new owner didn't change much. At first, it was named 324 Hair, but is now The Braniff Hair Co. Their Facebook page is here. (https://www.facebook.com/TheBraniffHairco)

Actually, its reopened a couple of months ago as the Braniff Hair Company. One of employees of the former owner, Charity Swinger, has reopened it. I've been there twice and actually like it more than before! Haircuts are $15, Cut & Shampoo is $20. The location isn't bad, althougth it's unfortunate that P-180 will have the streets torn up for nearly a year, but once that's done, more tenants move into the building, apartments across the street are complete, parkside building is finished with tenants it will be a pretty good spot. She's already hiring a second barber/stylist, who I believe she said starts Friday.

405.625.7095.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBraniffHairco

Well, if they can make it through P180, they should be fine.

Looks like they are very close to finishing out the Braniff... Haven't heard who might be moving in and haven't seen any finish-out building permits:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6075d1389796484-braniff-building-braniff11314a.jpg

What a beautiful renovation... ...of a building that was vacant and unused for much longer than Stage Center has been.

What a beautiful renovation... ...of a building that was vacant and unused for much longer than Stage Center has been.

If someone like SandRidge would purchase the Stage Center & put the money into renovating it into something successful, perhaps the Stage Center could have a story similar to the Braniff Building. Devon is right across the street practically, maybe they could purchase it & return it to its former glory before it became a stand still. It's nearly identical circumstances except they're in different parts of downtown & the energy companies near each building are different companies & they're both older, historic structures. The remodel of the Braniff Building is an astronomical success (imo).

If someone like SandRidge would purchase the Stage Center & put the money into renovating it into something successful, perhaps the Stage Center could have a story similar to the Braniff Building. Devon is right across the street practically, maybe they could purchase it & return it to its former glory before it became a stand still. It's nearly identical circumstances except they're in different parts of downtown & the energy companies near each building are different companies & they're both older, historic structures. The remodel of the Braniff Building is an astronomical success (imo).

The is not even close, the Braniff building is very flexible in it's design and was designed to last. Stage Center is an extremely inflexible design, it was a conceptual test of design with major flaws and even at the height of it's 'glory' many people did not like it.

This is maybe my favorite building in all of Oklahoma City. Such an unbelievably well down renovation.

The is not even close, the Braniff building is very flexible in it's design and was designed to last. Stage Center is an extremely inflexible design, it was a conceptual test of design with major flaws and even at the height of it's 'glory' many people did not like it.

Calm down snowy, I'm not in disagreement with you. I'm not advocating what I posted, I was just trying to be as lukewarm as possible -- to avoid being lumped into any particular category -- without saying "a Braniff like renovation for the SC is unlikely".

This is maybe my favorite building in all of Oklahoma City. Such an unbelievably well down renovation.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Absolutely stunning and it's by far my favorite building.

The is not even close, the Braniff building is very flexible in it's design and was designed to last. Stage Center is an extremely inflexible design, it was a conceptual test of design with major flaws and even at the height of it's 'glory' many people did not like it.

I'm not comparing the use. The only point I am making is a total refutation of the absolutes people talk in when they say things like "IT'S BEEN DORMANT FOR FOUR WHOLE YEARS!! IT'S TOO FAR GONE TO SAVE!!! THERE HAS BEEN TOO MUCH DEGRADATION!"

As this building proves, as the open-to-the-elements and decades unused hobo huts the Marion Hotel and the Skirvin Hotel are proving, and as the trees-growing-out-of-the-basement-and-collapsing-roofs-and-floors frame houses on 9th that now contain Sara Sara, Shop Good and Hillbillies demonstrate beyond the shadow of a doubt... ...those people are talking out of their collective asses.

This was mentioned on another thread but Osage Exploration (http://www.osageexploration.com/s/Home.asp) has signed a less for 6,368 square feet in this building, which is not quite a full floor. Osage is currently at 100 Park.

That is the only tenant I have heard about other than Kitchen no. 324 and Braniff Hair Company on the ground floor.

That leaves more than 8 floors still to lease.

This was mentioned on another thread but Osage Exploration (http://www.osageexploration.com/s/Home.asp) has signed a less for 6,368 square feet in this building, which is not quite a full floor. Osage is currently at 100 Park.

That is the only tenant I have heard about other than Kitchen no. 324 and Braniff Hair Company on the ground floor.

That leaves more than 8 floors still to lease.The project 180 construction won't help with the leasing either.

Kitchen 324 will do okay because it's a destination restaurant, but I just wonder how Braniff Hair Company is doing. Last time I was there, it was near impossible to get to it. That was before Christmas so maybe things have changed. I just know it was a huge pain. I know the girl that owns Braniff Hair Company and I feel bad for her because she just bought out the previous owner right before 180 came to her street. She was just getting her feet under her when that happened.

Steve's update.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/3938193?embargo=1


Chad Taylor has a new office with a view of the historic old U.S. Post Office — a view that for now is exclusive to Taylor and his employer, Osage Exploration and Development.
On Feb. 7, the small company moved into the eighth floor and became the first office tenant in the Braniff Building since it was mothballed in the early 1980s by then-owner Kerr McGee.

“Whenever I saw this floor and this view, I thought I’d lay claim on this office,” said Taylor, exploration manager at Osage. “It’s nice to have a brand new office built for you downtown.”

First tenants move into Braniff Building in Oklahoma City | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/first-tenants-move-into-braniff-building-in-oklahoma-city/article/3938193)
(Mobile link)

So, Osage is on the 8th floor and the rest of the building is still empty except for Kitchen no. 324 and Braniff Hair.

Really surprising given the lack of Class A office space downtown and really anywhere in OKC.

Great to see this building come to life. Unused and empty for 30 years. I guess it can be done after all...

Who is actually doing the leasing?

Great to see this building come to life. Unused and empty for 30 years. I guess it can be done after all...

Of course it can, provided someone has the necessary depth of pocket and the desire to dig deep into the same.

That's not what we're being told, in some cases. By the way, quality renovation of that building didn't require near the expense or heroic measures SandRidge went to. That was a choice. No question it made for a remarkable development, though.

Heard today that Crowe and Dunlvey signed a lease for basically all of the remaining space in the Braniff Building except the first floor.

Heard today that Crowe and Dunlvey signed a lease for basically all of the remaining space in the Braniff Building except the first floor.

That's the firm in the CLR building?

Heard today that Crowe and Dunlvey signed a lease for basically all of the remaining space in the Braniff Building except the first floor.

Judy Hatfield told me on Monday she was showing the space to a "huge" tenant". I bet this is it.

I'll see if I can get her to confirm.


Would be great news, not only to fill this building but to create space for Continental to grow in their existing building.