Buildings with Retail Space

development
|category1=Central Business District
|category2=Downtown
|category3=Office Buildings
|category4=Tall Buildings
|
|project=Leadership Square
|address=211 N. Robinson (http://goo.gl/maps/ApLoc)
|status=complete
|owner=Roy Oliver & Mark Beffort
|cost=
|architect=
|start=
|finish=1984
|contractor=
|height=308 feet / 22 floors
|sq. feet=790,093
|acerage=2.24
|other=13.2% vacancy; 150 parking spaces
|
|image=http://www.okctalk.com/images/wikiphotos/leadership1.jpg
|

Information & Latest News
Links
County Assessor Record (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R010015250)
Tenants
McAfee & Taft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McAfee_%26_Taft) law firm
Enogex (http://www.enogex.com/Pages/Home.aspx)
Bank of America
OKC Thunder
Leadership Square Eyecare (http://drsrossandroby.com/)
City Bites
Groundfloor Cafe & Bakery (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/500653/restaurant/Downtown/Ground-Floor-Cafe-Bakery-Oklahoma-City)
Wells Fargo
Mock Schwabe Waldo Elder (http://www.mswerb.com/)
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Gallery

New signage on top of Leadership Square:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/leadership51012.jpg

Looks good!

I thought I saw something on top of there but couldn't make out what it was. I like it.

I was assuming that was a rendering? Anyone?

No, that's a photo from today.

Ah cool.

Perhaps Enogex will also pay for night lighting for the building as well. Or is that too much?

How come the Oklahoma City Thunder doesnt have their logo on one of those buildings? And how come major leage teams in general dont have their name/logo, or whatever on the building where their main office is?

How come the Oklahoma City Thunder doesnt have their logo on one of those buildings? And how come major leage teams in general dont have their name/logo, or whatever on the building where their main office is?

a lot of the NFL teams do. their offices just aren't in downtown locations. I don't know about other sports leagues, but i have been to several NFL teams offices

I would venture a guess that Enogex is paying a lot more for space than the Thunder offices are. And wasn't the plan to move those to the new practice facility on North Broadway anyway?

I'm sorry but I don't like the look of that sign up there. It clashes with and ruins the overall look of the buildings.

I agree.

Not a good look for that building.

How come the Oklahoma City Thunder doesnt have their logo on one of those buildings? And how come major leage teams in general dont have their name/logo, or whatever on the building where their main office is?

The question is why do you think they should have signage on major buildings? Major league franchises aren't major employers, employee wise, especially NBA. Enogex leases like half of Leadership Square, I think all the Thunder has is the team store on the ground floor, which will eventually move also. I think most of the team offices are in Oklahoma Tower. Additionally, the team will soon be officing inside the Chesapeake arena like many teams do (in or near arena). Arenas are usually named after corporations with major naming rights that benefit the arena or team directly. Is having their logo on the court not enough?

As far as the signage on LS goes, it's not ideal but is at least tasteful looking.

I would venture a guess that Enogex is paying a lot more for space than the Thunder offices are. And wasn't the plan to move those to the new practice facility on North Broadway anyway?

That and/or the new team office space under construction in the Arena.

New signage coming for one of the existing planters on Robinson:

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

Nice, much better than greenery! :rolleyes:

What would it take to see some night lighting on Leadership Square some day??

hmm.. didn't know Enogex was apart of OG&E

18401841

Thank you good sir

I heard that OGE is moving their employees that are currently located in the building south of the arena into Leadership square soon.

I saw a comment on another the Sandridge Center and Commons thread that said something to the effect of "wish someone would do something with this property". Another comment was made that lights outlining the stairstep roofline would be great. I think that the roofline lighting would be good, too. According to Pete's quoted office space stats (on the FNB thread), Leadership Square is about 13% vacant and rents at about $18/sf. I have always liked Leadership Square. As far as buildings go, it's comfort food to me (explanation of analogy: it give me a feeling of being at home in the CBD). I can't rationally explain that feeling, but like the Skirvin and First National, it really fits in and is OKC to a T. Aside from lighting, what is y'all's opinion? Is LS being used satisfactorily? Is the design wrong? What would you tweak to make LS better?

When I was in town last week I noticed the outside areas of Leadership Square are looking very seedy.

There really hasn't been any Project 180 work in this area, although this section of Robinson is supposed to come in a future phase. But even then, I seriously doubt P180 will be touching the LS plaza and sidewalks.

In any event, the current state of this area is a disgrace (note all the cig butts in the last image):



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ls1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ls2.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ls3.jpg

A corporate plaza becoming run down? Say it ain't so. Good thing they aren't tasked with maintaining a larger public area.

Yes, this is because it is a plaza. We all know that buildings up to the sidewalk don't get rundown and they are never neglected. More proof Satan lives in plazas. LOL

I guess I just don't understand why a non-revenue generating patch of ground became neglected. I'll bet the path to the parking garage doesn't look this bad.

Definitely needs some TLC, but compared to most cities in the NE it's in great condition.

Building permit for the north tower, Suite 110.

Will be a 2,200 square foot restaurant of some sort. I believe this is the old New York Bagel space.

^ Turns out this will be Old School Bagel:


Old School Bagel Set to Open Downtown | OKC Central (http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2013/02/22/old-school-bagel-set-to-open-downtown/)

Awesome, DOKC sooooooooooooooooo needs a bagel place. It's unbelievable their hasn't been a place to get a good bagel downtown.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/574602_511125155592537_301690657_n.jpg?dl=1 (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=511125155592537&set=a.146013912103665.21178.138937816144608)

Scheduled to open April 1 (according to DowntownOKC at the facebook link above)

I'm excited. There's really nothing comparable to this downtown and now I won't have to drive to get their food.

Fantastic! I love their bagels and it's close to work!

arrrrgh. so close, yet so far... if they deliver, i'm in. -M

I know that Devon is the new skyline for OKC and that Leadership Square is so very eclipsed by much of the rest of DT, but that intersection (Robinson and Park) is iconic OKC, to me. City Place, 1st Nat'l, Leadership Square, Robinson Renaissance ... THAT's OKC to me. I remain a huge fan of this complex and the ground-floor accessibility. I'm somewhat worried about it's future with Enogex moving out (albeit, not until 2017?). Pete's commented a lot on the lack of Class A office space in DT OKC. Does Leadership Square offer what is considered class A space now? Does the owner (Mark Beffort?) have a good record of keep up with demand and trends (and here's the real question: Will he take advantage of Enogex's departure to update to better digs?)? What percentage of Leadership Square does Enogex take up now?

I know that Devon is the new skyline for OKC and that Leadership Square is so very eclipsed by much of the rest of DT, but that intersection (Robinson and Park) is iconic OKC, to me. City Place, 1st Nat'l, Leadership Square, Robinson Renaissance ... THAT's OKC to me. I remain a huge fan of this complex and the ground-floor accessibility. I'm somewhat worried about it's future with Enogex moving out (albeit, not until 2017?). Pete's commented a lot on the lack of Class A office space in DT OKC. Does Leadership Square offer what is considered class A space now? Does the owner (Mark Beffort?) have a good record of keep up with demand and trends (and here's the real question: Will he take advantage of Enogex's departure to update to better digs?)? What percentage of Leadership Square does Enogex take up now?

Yes, all of the buildings you mentioned with an exception of first national offer Class A space (I think city place does). Given the demand we keep hearing about now, one would hope that it will be even in 5 years, that space should be absorbed quickly.

I know that Devon is the new skyline for OKC and that Leadership Square is so very eclipsed by much of the rest of DT, but that intersection (Robinson and Park) is iconic OKC, to me. City Place, 1st Nat'l, Leadership Square, Robinson Renaissance ... THAT's OKC to me. I remain a huge fan of this complex and the ground-floor accessibility. I'm somewhat worried about it's future with Enogex moving out (albeit, not until 2017?). Pete's commented a lot on the lack of Class A office space in DT OKC. Does Leadership Square offer what is considered class A space now? Does the owner (Mark Beffort?) have a good record of keep up with demand and trends (and here's the real question: Will he take advantage of Enogex's departure to update to better digs?)? What percentage of Leadership Square does Enogex take up now?

Mark Beffort got his start in the business by leasing office space and has done an excellent job keeping all his properties full: Leadership Square, Oklahoma Tower, Corporate Tower, City Place, etc.

If and when Enogex moves out, they will probably have a waiting list for that space.

I worked in that building for about five years (with Mark Beffort!) and loved it. It's still very desirable and you simply can't beat the location.

City Place may be advertising as class A, but a lot of it is solid B. I know of at least one midsize tenant (1 floor plate) who moved out of CP into Chase as an upgrade, and Chase is barely class A. Leadership has some very nice space.

I know Leadership Square still houses some of the Thunder back office people (group sales reps, etc). Is everyone associated with the Thunder going to move into the new offices at the Peake or is just the higher ups? I can't remember how many office/cubicles were built out for the Arena expansion.

Has anyone ever seriously considered adding maybe 15 floors to each building? It was intended to be one tall building. Imagine two twin buildings reflecting downtown and adding to the skyline. They sort of remind me of legos you can snap an additional piece of building to.

Another big question coming up is that it is my understanding that McAfee Taft is losing their lease in October. They require a lot of space and haven't heard where they are going. I have heard that they would like to build or own but getting a little too late to be building. I suggested to my friend who works there but definitely is not in the know that they purchase something from Sandridge but her response was that they don't want to be landlords...just own their own space.

Another big question coming up is that it is my understanding that McAfee Taft is losing their lease in October. They require a lot of space and haven't heard where they are going. I have heard that they would like to build or own but getting a little too late to be building. I suggested to my friend who works there but definitely is not in the know that they purchase something from Sandridge but her response was that they don't want to be landlords...just own their own space.
I'm pretty sure your source is either confused or you misunderstood.

I'm pretty sure your source is either confused or you misunderstood.

Possible as she is not on the management committee but she works there so that is apparently what the office scuttlebutt is over there whether there is merit to it or not.

Possible as she is not on the management committee but she works there so that is apparently what the office scuttlebutt is over there whether there is merit to it or not.
It just sounds like the type of scuttlebutt you might hear over at Crowe Dunlevy since it is my understanding that they may be losing their lease in the Continental building in the near future.

It just sounds like the type of scuttlebutt you might hear over at Crowe Dunlevy since it is my understanding that they may be losing their lease in the Continental building in the near future.

Ahhhh. She was not confused nor did I misunderstand when she told me. However, in the time frame since she told me and I posted, I am the one that is confused as she actually works for Crowe. You mentioning that jarred my memory. If the firm has more than one old guy's name in it...I usually don't pay them much attention as they are generally practicing nice clean law like transactions or real estate instead of the dirty law most of my friends practice like criminal or family.

But that brings the original question as to where are they going or what are they going to do?

Ahhhh. She was not confused nor did I misunderstand when she told me. However, in the time frame since she told me and I posted, I am the one that is confused as she actually works for Crowe. You mentioning that jarred my memory. If the firm has more than one old guy's name in it...I usually don't pay them much attention as they are generally practicing nice clean law like transactions or real estate instead of the dirty law most of my friends practice like criminal or family.

But that brings the original question as to where are they going or what are they going to do?

Like.

But that brings the original question as to where are they going or what are they going to do?

Doesn't the Braniff Building still have free space available? They would technically be leasing but it would be perfect for them. And if the price was right, I am sure SandRidge would part with the entire building.

Design application for signs atop this building...

Can't see full app yet but I believe this is to replace the Enogex signs with those for Enable.

Does anyone know if Mark has ever considered developing the roof terraces of this building? Even one terrace? It is uniquely suited for such a project. I am shocked that at least one of the tenants hasn't done it themselves on a terrace that their space opens to.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/1840d1340057399-leadership-square-enogex-1.jpg

In the architect's conceptual you can see trees on the terraces. It was intended that they would be developed as rooftop spaces for people:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rTdmcoUdvE/UQ3ElaCgZ4I/AAAAAAAAAUY/49g-z_7kinw/s1600/Leadership+rendering+color+from+northeast+compress ed.jpeg

In this photo you can see that doors open onto each individual terrace. They are tiled with concrete. Literally all it would take is some furniture and some greenery. Imagine a restaurant and/or bar on one of these terraces:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/1537d1337030512-leadership-square-leadership2.jpg

I was in the office of Wells Fargo and we went outside onto the patio area. I asked why they did not put furniture there. The told me that they had furniture but ti blew away. They bought heavier stuff and it also was blown around.

I absolutely love the look of that building. My grandfather was the general contractor (he also did the Myriad and a few other big OKC projects). When I was young, I used to be able to go in while it was being built and ride around in a golf cart while it was going up. I doubt they'd let you do that, these days. He died in 1995 but I have some of his memorabilia, blueprints, etc., somewhere. I should dig them up and donate them. I wish I'd been more interested in architecture and Oklahoma City history at the time.

I was in the office of Wells Fargo and we went outside onto the patio area. I asked why they did not put furniture there. The told me that they had furniture but ti blew away. They bought heavier stuff and it also was blown around.Could they not bolt it to the concrete? Put the chairs on tracks or something?

My grandfather was the general contractor (he also did the Myriad and a few other big OKC projects).
You are H A Lott's granddaughter I guess. I never met Mr. Lott but had tremendous respect for the company he built. I heard there were problems at the end and was sorry to learn that.

You are H A Lott's granddaughter I guess. I never met Mr. Lott but had tremendous respect for the company he built. I heard there were problems at the end and was sorry to learn that.

Mr. Lott was my grandfather's business partner (he was ALWAYS "Mr." Lott!). My grandfather was a senior vice president and we moved to OKC to build the Myriad during the ghastly urban renewal debacle. He did the OU Law School, some stuff with the hospitals and this and that. We'd been all over the south working on different projects but after coming to OKC, my Grandfather was of an age where he wanted to settle down so he restricted himself to primarily OKC projects until he retired.

Mr. Lott was my grandfather's business partner (he was ALWAYS "Mr." Lott!).
Yes, there was a pretty big group of men (and women) after WWII that were always Mr. ( and Mrs). I had several very good friends of that generation that I just could never make myself call by first name even after repeated invitations.



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They are changing the sign today.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would imagine that the roof access isn't exactly set up for a commercial type access entrance. You've probably got some mechanical space on the other side of the door that would make it less than appealing to walk through. If you do create a space like that, you'd need to ensure the roof is designed to support it. Dirt and plants can add quite a bit of weight and have caused collapses before because of people not checking....just do some googling on it. And you'll want somewhere for those people to go in the summer/winter months when it's not reasonable to be out there....or those 20-30 mph wind days :)