And another sneak peak... I'll be posting more details and an extensive interview with the developer on Monday.

Spoiler Alert: They are already planning a second development.

https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1456645_612883675441308_1158962231_n.jpg

And another sneak peak... I'll be posting more details and an extensive interview with the developer on Monday.

Spoiler Alert: They are already planning a second development.

Awesome! It's gotta be in Midtown too, I'll wager. Looking forward to that interview.

This is like Christmas in (oh wait... this isn't summer, so I can't say 'Christmas in July'.....)

This is like Christmas at Christmastime! :)

Oh man, I love their new cover photo for the fb page:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1403751_609386349124374_1680380687_o.jpg

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=609386349124374&set=a.367878749941803.86067.207978789265134&type=1

They're also using that as the background image on their twitter page.

It's like a work of art. You could frame that and hang it on your wall.

St. Anthony Hospital, developer team up on housing project | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2013/11/26/mf-midtown-housing-real-estate/)

St. Anthony Hospital, developer team up on housing project | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2013/11/26/mf-midtown-housing-real-estate/)
You can't see that article without being a subscriber.

You can't see that article without being a subscriber.

It's pretty much old information anyway. Probably just what we already know on this thread.

You can't see that article without being a subscriber.

Not sure, it may be scooping Pete's scoop coming soon. :( I met with James when he first moved here and started working this partnership with St. Anthony (he since moved away bet kept on it). I know what he's got up his sleeve, and it's great.

Not sure, it may be scooping Pete's scoop coming soon. :( I met with James when he first moved here and started working this partnership with St. Anthony (he since moved away bet kept on it). I know what he's got up his sleeve, and it's great.

James is a great guy with great taste and seems to understand what urban means. I have no doubt his next project will also be a success.

Press release

For immediate release

**Mode Development and St Anthony Hospital have partnered to develop modern urban real estate projects in Midtown, Oklahoma City**

Oklahoma City, OK, November 2013 – Mode Development, LLC and St Anthony Hospital are pleased to announce their new initiative to develop urban housing and mixed-use projects adjacent to the Hospital’s campus in Midtown, Oklahoma City. St Anthony Hospital has been dedicated to improving the Midtown neighborhood for decades through strong leadership and progressive planning. This newly formed partnership with Mode Development will bring high quality for sale housing options to their staff and the general public. Mode strives to develop projects that improve neighborhoods, inspire communities and force discussion.

The first phase, called “Lisbon Lofts,” will consist of six 2 and 3-story townhomes and one 3-story live/work unit ranging from roughly 1,300sf to 1,900sf. Most of the units will feature private roof decks, low maintenance yards, two car garages, floor to ceiling windows, open riser staircases, modern fixtures/hardware, minimalist exterior/interior design aesthetics and much more.

The project will be located on the Northwest corner of NW 9th St and N Shartel Ave with occupancy expected to commence in late 2014. The units will be offered for sale with pricing starting from the high $200k’s. For more information and availability please visit Home | Lisbon Lofts | Midtown OKC (http://www.m-ode.com) or Home | Lisbon Lofts | Midtown OKC (http://www.lisbonlofts.com)

The name “Lisbon Lofts” pays homage to the actual birthplace of Saint Anthony in Lisbon, Portugal.

Interview with James Ellison, co-founder of Mode Development, regarding their first urban housing development Lisbon Lofts, the Midtown neighborhood, urban development practices and more...



Pete: How did this partnership with St. Anthony come about?
James: I started coming to OKC back in September 2009 shortly after my wife moved from Seattle to continue working for the organization that would come to be known as the Oklahoma City Thunder. She lived downtown near her office building and so during my days there I tried to cover as much ground on foot as possible...walking from downtown up to 23rd and all the way back south to the river to see what was happening in the city. The more I research and explored the more I was convinced that there was tremendous potential to continue my career in urban development in Oklahoma City. I started immediately meeting with the City of Oklahoma City's Urban Redevelopment team who at the time was meeting with St Anthony and other community stakeholders about alternative urban housing programs in the downtown neighborhoods, which ultimately got me in a room with Joe Hodges (and others) at St Anthony. Over the next several months after I finished a few presentations, walked them through my previous projects and pitched a few ideas on how we could work together to develop infill housing projects...well, the rest is history. St Anthony has very talented and progressive leadership who understands the need to provide alternative housing options in Midtown not only as benefit for staff but the public as a whole.

Pete: Assuming this project sells well, is there the possibility for more in Midtown or elsewhere in the central core?
James: Mode Development is committed to developing projects in downtown Oklahoma City well into the future. Once we break ground on Lisbon Lofts we will immediately start planning on our second project within a stone's throw from NW 9th St and N Shartel Ave.

Pete: How do your foresee the large other developments in the area (10th & Shartel Apartments, 1201 N. Francis Apartments, Fassler Hall / Dustbowl) affecting Lisbon Lofts?
James: The more people we can get down to Midtown the better even if it is on temporary leases. Once the demographics start shifting we will hit a tipping point for retailers, services etc that will only make the neighborhood more walkable, enjoyable and ultimately more desirable. That being said, I believe there needs to be more discussion from within the development community and the general public on making sure we are developing the kind of projects the city demands today and which will remain relevant well into the future as the urban landscape downtown continues to change.

Pete: What do you see as the features of Lisbon Lofts that set them apart from The Hill and some of the existing for-sale downtown housing projects?
James: Not to over simplify but I would say literally everything about the project sets itself apart from the existing for-sale product in the area. Most notably are the location, which is a more desirable neighborhood for ownership in my opinion; and the design, which is centered on expansive open spaces and an abundance of natural light within a very modern form. These projects appeal to a very specific buyer demographic and therefore I don't think the consumers interested in Lisbon Lofts would consider buying anything available downtown at the moment.


Pete: What do you think about the projects that have recently been developed in the Midtown Cottage District/SoSA neighborhood?
James: There have been some pretty cool single-family homes that have been developed in SoSA. However, I am concerned by the city allowing property owners to develop single-family homes in a downtown neighborhood where denser and more compact projects should be located. Midtown Renaissance Group, Marva Ellard and others need to be appreciated for converting and renovating a fair number of existing Midtown buildings into quality residential rental opportunities.

Pete: Where do you see Midtown in 5 years?
James: I see Midtown in 5 years much the same way I see Midtown today...as the place to "be" downtown. Of course there will also be more cool places to live, eat, work and play...

Pete: Why did you leave Seattle to start Mode Development and develop projects in Oklahoma City?
James: A few months after my wife moved to Oklahoma City I tied up some loose ends on my last projects in Seattle, sold my portion of the company and moved to downtown OKC. The opportunity to work with St Anthony coupled with a city that is eager for quality urban development made my decision to focus the next phase of my career here quite easy. There is something exciting happening in OKC right now and I want to take advantage of that energy. On a more personal level my wife and I also knew that we were not going to move back to Seattle and ultimately wanted to start a family closer to home in California.

Pete: "The Plan" on the website reads "...we develop projects we would live in. We care about enhancing neighborhoods, growing communities and encouraging discussion.” Can you expand a little on this?
James: In the past I have worked with developers, who I will not mention, that ultimately cared far more about turning profits than about developing good projects. I quickly realized that I was cut from a different cloth and relished the ability to sleep at night. It is important for me as a developer to always have the end user in mind rather than having the "if we build it they will come" attitude. Therefore I try to imagine my homeowners for each particular project given the social context of the location and build a project in which they would love to call "home". I constantly challenge the status quo and push the envelope on my projects so we are always trying to do something different and beautiful. I like leveraging new systems, design concepts, materials, living patterns, changing demographics etc to bring new elements into each project, which is what most excites me about urban development. Lastly, I think it is important for the city to adapt to the changing urban landscape and continue to push the conversation forward without taking steps back. This means sometimes having the hard conversations and turning down ideas that are not consistent with the core principles of urbanism and how they apply specifically to downtown OKC.

Great interview piece, Pete. I think there's something to be said about the better the design, the higher the quality, the safer the investment.

Great interview. Smart developer, and with a conscience. The kind we need in OKC.

Interesting tidbit about how this developer came here indirectly because of the Thunder. Yet another example on how interconnected everything is.

I bet this project sells quickly and I'm already looking forward to their next project.

Thank you Pete! All the support and words of encouragement from everyone has been humbling...

Pete: How do your foresee the large other developments in the area (10th & Shartel Apartments, 1201 N. Francis Apartments, Fassler Hall / Dustbowl) affecting Lisbon Lofts?
James: The more people we can get down to Midtown the better even if it is on temporary leases. Once the demographics start shifting we will hit a tipping point for retailers, services etc that will only make the neighborhood more walkable, enjoyable and ultimately more desirable. That being said, I believe there needs to be more discussion from within the development community and the general public on making sure we are developing the kind of projects the city demands today and which will remain relevant well into the future as the urban landscape downtown continues to change.


Pete: "The Plan" on the website reads "...we develop projects we would live in. We care about enhancing neighborhoods, growing communities and encouraging discussion.” Can you expand a little on this?
James: In the past I have worked with developers, who I will not mention, that ultimately cared far more about turning profits than about developing good projects. I quickly realized that I was cut from a different cloth and relished the ability to sleep at night. . . . Lastly, I think it is important for the city to adapt to the changing urban landscape and continue to push the conversation forward without taking steps back. This means sometimes having the hard conversations and turning down ideas that are not consistent with the core principles of urbanism and how they apply specifically to downtown OKC.

Thank You, James for such a great interview with Pete!

The bolded/underlined portions I think are incredibly important insights, and I'm glad to see that at least one developer is publicly vocalizing these sentiments. Most importantly both insights encourage further dialogue within the community to create a place that is both attractive to people from the outside and livable for the residents the development serves.

Pete, I really hope that you can set up more interviews like this with other people making a difference in the OKC (development) community…this was awesome!

What a brilliant project. This is going to sell so damn fast it's not even funny. I'm curious though - why does he think that buyers would without question choose Lisbon Lofts over The Hill? As someone who may be looking to buy in downtown within a year, this piques my curiosity. The Hill has a lot going for it too IMO - as does Lisbon, which looks brilliant indeed. I'm already thinking about what we'd sacrifice if we moved from DD to Midtown (farther from some of our favorite spots like Slim's, NR, WSKY - but closer to McNellie's, Louie's, etc). Still walkable to the spots in DD/Bricktown, but more of a 10+ minute walk and not 2.

What a brilliant project. This is going to sell so damn fast it's not even funny. I'm curious though - why does he think that buyers would without question choose Lisbon Lofts over The Hill? As someone who may be looking to buy in downtown within a year, this piques my curiosity. The Hill has a lot going for it too IMO - as does Lisbon, which looks brilliant indeed. I'm already thinking about what we'd sacrifice if we moved from DD to Midtown (farther from some of our favorite spots like Slim's, NR, WSKY - but closer to McNellie's, Louie's, etc). Still walkable to the spots in DD/Bricktown, but more of a 10+ minute walk and not 2.

He's referring to aesthetics. The Hill is great for people who like that kind of suburban-inspired design. Not so much for people who prefer a more contemporary feel. Also, as far as amenities go, Midtown will be hard to beat in a couple of years. No slight to Deep Deuce or other 'hoods.

Also, don't forget the Streetcar. No matter where you live in Downtown you'll be connected by easy transit throughout Downtown.

The Hill is not suburban style. Just more traditional. There is a big difference.

He's referring to aesthetics. The Hill is great for people who like that kind of suburban-inspired design. Not so much for people who prefer a more contemporary feel. Also, as far as amenities go, Midtown will be hard to beat in a couple of years. No slight to Deep Deuce or other 'hoods.

Also, don't forget the Streetcar. No matter where you live in Downtown you'll be connected by easy transit throughout Downtown.

Gotcha - certainly The Hill is a huge leap forward by OKC standards, but agree, Lisbon looks much less suburby (in fact not at all) in comparison. And yes, the streetcar will definitely be a game changer. Now all midtown needs is an actual grocer - Homeland does not count.

The Hill is not suburban style. Just more traditional. There is a big difference.

This is correct. There is nothing especially suburban about them. They are modeled after row houses, and front the street pretty well. I think it's fair to say, however, that the traditional styling is likely designed to APPEAL more to suburbanites who are transitioning to an urban area (empty nesters, for instance). The modern styling seen elsewhere (such as Lisbon Lofts) will probably have more appeal for people who already have developed a certain comfort level regarding city dwelling. The lack of mixed use over a very large footprint at The Hill also makes them feel a little less urban, since the place almost has an insular, gated community feel.

The interiors of The Hill are very suburban.

How exactly is an interior suburban? Again, this is a decor issue not a land use issue.

The finishes look just like almost every home you see in Edmond:

http://www.thehillokc.com/unitfull/85/IMG_8794.jpg

Also, the floor plans don't offer anything you wouldn't find in a suburban townhouse...

No open lofts, rooftop decks and the rooms aren't any more open than you would find in a traditional house.

We plan on buying closer to downtown soon, and the design sensibility of The Hill, particularly its interiors, makes it a no-go unfortunately. I'm excited about Lisbon though, and if it can't be an option for us, I'm eager to see more from the developer.

Not to nit-pick, but having grown up in an actual row home in an urban city (Philadelphia), we didn't have any open lofts or rooftop decks, and my mom's renovated kitchen looks not all that different than that picture (but with much less space because the building is very narrow). Just sayin. :-)

Not to nit-pick, but having grown up in an actual row home in an urban city (Philadelphia), we didn't have any open lofts or rooftop decks, and my mom's renovated kitchen looks not all that different than that picture (but with much less space because the building is very narrow). Just sayin. :-)

I believe the point is to compare new construction. Nothing older than a few decades has anything of those things unless they've been renovated.

We plan on buying closer to downtown soon, and the design sensibility of The Hill, particularly its interiors, makes it a no-go unfortunately. I'm excited about Lisbon though, and if it can't be an option for us, I'm eager to see more from the developer.

Really hope we see more of this type of development in general.

Not nearly enough for-sale options in the core.

The finishes look just like almost every home you see in Edmond:

http://www.thehillokc.com/unitfull/85/IMG_8794.jpg

Yep. To each his own. They're nice, just not my cup of tea for the price.

If I were to buy one I'd have to set aside a major renovation budget.

Oddly, I would like these more if they were more "traditional" in the Upper East Side sense, as opposed to, say, Oak Tree.

This is correct. There is nothing especially suburban about them. They are modeled after row houses, and front the street pretty well. I think it's fair to say, however, that the traditional styling is likely designed to APPEAL more to suburbanites who are transitioning to an urban area (empty nesters, for instance). The modern styling seen elsewhere (such as Lisbon Lofts) will probably have more appeal for people who already have developed a certain comfort level regarding city dwelling. The lack of mixed use over a very large footprint at The Hill also makes them feel a little less urban, since the place almost has an insular, gated community feel.

Let's not forget that the current suburban house is designed to mimic an entire small village so it stands to reason that when a suburbanite sees an actual village it appeals to them.

This board is less tolerant of diversity than I thought.

What a brilliant project. This is going to sell so damn fast it's not even funny. I'm curious though - why does he think that buyers would without question choose Lisbon Lofts over The Hill? As someone who may be looking to buy in downtown within a year, this piques my curiosity. The Hill has a lot going for it too IMO - as does Lisbon, which looks brilliant indeed. I'm already thinking about what we'd sacrifice if we moved from DD to Midtown (farther from some of our favorite spots like Slim's, NR, WSKY - but closer to McNellie's, Louie's, etc). Still walkable to the spots in DD/Bricktown, but more of a 10+ minute walk and not 2.

Don't forget the Brownstones! There are still a few smaller ones for sale, and except for the absence of a pool, I prefer the design. Nice neighbors too. I think they feel a lot more urban than the Hill. I love mine (you and M need to pop over for a tour).

The finishes look just like almost every home you see in Edmond:

http://www.thehillokc.com/unitfull/85/IMG_8794.jpg

I'm not trying to quibble, but does that mean that this one qualifies as an urban home?

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5127d1386016517-lisbon-lofts-kitchen.jpg

This board is less tolerant of diversity than I thought.

Why? Can't people just agree to disagree? I don't see anyone saying anything inflammatory here. Some people find the design suburban; others do not. Others agree it's a transitional yet somewhat suburban design based on urban row homes.

People have different aesthetics. That's OK. There's nothing wrong with The Hill. In fact, I think it is a quality development. Just not my cup of tea.

Are you suggesting that everyone here should agree that this is "not suburban?" If you are, then it would seem you are the poster lacking tolerance of diverse thought.

I'm not trying to quibble, but does that mean that this one qualifies as an urban home?

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5127d1386016517-lisbon-lofts-kitchen.jpg
I'll save you the trouble because I'm sure everyone here knows it's a trick question. That is a Jeff Click home, probably in the area of NW 178th and Penn, which probably looks something like this out front:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2611550716_4a946d839c.jpg

He tried to market these homes as "urban" (still does, I think), and was gently (and correctly) criticized for this via social media and elsewhere. I'm sure he builds a nice home, but nothing about it is urban. The INTERIORS are contemporary, however, mimicking the design character of many urban homes. Just like places at The Hill are traditional. I sincerely think urban/suburban does not apply here, other than - as you correctly point out - traditional styling dominates the interiors of suburban and exurban homes.

But if a heavily-traditional interior design helps some empty-nesters feel more comfortable transitioning to an urban lifestyle, I think that is fine. It's not my cup of tea, but diverse choices are fine with me. That said, I don't want suburban-type land use to expand into downtown, because it diminishes the surroundings and negatively impacts the downtown ecosystem.

Interview with James Ellison, co-founder of Mode Development, regarding their first urban housing development Lisbon Lofts, the Midtown neighborhood, urban development practices and more...



Pete: How did this partnership with St. Anthony come about?
James: I started coming to OKC back in September 2009 shortly after my wife moved from Seattle to continue working for the organization that would come to be known as the Oklahoma City Thunder. She lived downtown near her office building and so during my days there I tried to cover as much ground on foot as possible...walking from downtown up to 23rd and all the way back south to the river to see what was happening in the city. The more I research and explored the more I was convinced that there was tremendous potential to continue my career in urban development in Oklahoma City. I started immediately meeting with the City of Oklahoma City's Urban Redevelopment team who at the time was meeting with St Anthony and other community stakeholders about alternative urban housing programs in the downtown neighborhoods, which ultimately got me in a room with Joe Hodges (and others) at St Anthony. Over the next several months after I finished a few presentations, walked them through my previous projects and pitched a few ideas on how we could work together to develop infill housing projects...well, the rest is history. St Anthony has very talented and progressive leadership who understands the need to provide alternative housing options in Midtown not only as benefit for staff but the public as a whole.

Pete: Assuming this project sells well, is there the possibility for more in Midtown or elsewhere in the central core?
James: Mode Development is committed to developing projects in downtown Oklahoma City well into the future. Once we break ground on Lisbon Lofts we will immediately start planning on our second project within a stone's throw from NW 9th St and N Shartel Ave.

Pete: How do your foresee the large other developments in the area (10th & Shartel Apartments, 1201 N. Francis Apartments, Fassler Hall / Dustbowl) affecting Lisbon Lofts?
James: The more people we can get down to Midtown the better even if it is on temporary leases. Once the demographics start shifting we will hit a tipping point for retailers, services etc that will only make the neighborhood more walkable, enjoyable and ultimately more desirable. That being said, I believe there needs to be more discussion from within the development community and the general public on making sure we are developing the kind of projects the city demands today and which will remain relevant well into the future as the urban landscape downtown continues to change.

Pete: What do you see as the features of Lisbon Lofts that set them apart from The Hill and some of the existing for-sale downtown housing projects?
James: Not to over simplify but I would say literally everything about the project sets itself apart from the existing for-sale product in the area. Most notably are the location, which is a more desirable neighborhood for ownership in my opinion; and the design, which is centered on expansive open spaces and an abundance of natural light within a very modern form. These projects appeal to a very specific buyer demographic and therefore I don't think the consumers interested in Lisbon Lofts would consider buying anything available downtown at the moment.


Pete: What do you think about the projects that have recently been developed in the Midtown Cottage District/SoSA neighborhood?
James: There have been some pretty cool single-family homes that have been developed in SoSA. However, I am concerned by the city allowing property owners to develop single-family homes in a downtown neighborhood where denser and more compact projects should be located. Midtown Renaissance Group, Marva Ellard and others need to be appreciated for converting and renovating a fair number of existing Midtown buildings into quality residential rental opportunities.

Pete: Where do you see Midtown in 5 years?
James: I see Midtown in 5 years much the same way I see Midtown today...as the place to "be" downtown. Of course there will also be more cool places to live, eat, work and play...

Pete: Why did you leave Seattle to start Mode Development and develop projects in Oklahoma City?
James: A few months after my wife moved to Oklahoma City I tied up some loose ends on my last projects in Seattle, sold my portion of the company and moved to downtown OKC. The opportunity to work with St Anthony coupled with a city that is eager for quality urban development made my decision to focus the next phase of my career here quite easy. There is something exciting happening in OKC right now and I want to take advantage of that energy. On a more personal level my wife and I also knew that we were not going to move back to Seattle and ultimately wanted to start a family closer to home in California.

Pete: "The Plan" on the website reads "...we develop projects we would live in. We care about enhancing neighborhoods, growing communities and encouraging discussion.” Can you expand a little on this?
James: In the past I have worked with developers, who I will not mention, that ultimately cared far more about turning profits than about developing good projects. I quickly realized that I was cut from a different cloth and relished the ability to sleep at night. It is important for me as a developer to always have the end user in mind rather than having the "if we build it they will come" attitude. Therefore I try to imagine my homeowners for each particular project given the social context of the location and build a project in which they would love to call "home". I constantly challenge the status quo and push the envelope on my projects so we are always trying to do something different and beautiful. I like leveraging new systems, design concepts, materials, living patterns, changing demographics etc to bring new elements into each project, which is what most excites me about urban development. Lastly, I think it is important for the city to adapt to the changing urban landscape and continue to push the conversation forward without taking steps back. This means sometimes having the hard conversations and turning down ideas that are not consistent with the core principles of urbanism and how they apply specifically to downtown OKC.

Enough with the aesthetics debate. Great interview. I agree with Pete. We need more of this in a big way.

This is what James said in the interview and what others are referring to:


the design, which is centered on expansive open spaces and an abundance of natural light within a very modern form. These projects appeal to a very specific buyer demographic and therefore I don't think the consumers interested in Lisbon Lofts would consider buying anything available downtown at the moment.

Enough with the aesthetics debate. Great interview. I agree with Pete. We need more of this in a big way.

In other words, shut up?

Anyone who thinks I am advocating the design aesthetic of The Hill vs. Lisbon Lofts isn't actually reading my posts. I would live in Lisbon Lofts in a heartbeat, and would have near-ZERO interest in The Hill.

It seems there was some confusion because traditional and suburban are being used interchangeably.

It also seems everyone agrees that there is room and demand for both traditional and more modern designs in the urban core.

Urbanized- LOL. Tired of "derailed" threads... Lisbon is not in the same league as the Hill.

Enjoy what is happening. Why we continuously obsess over the past I have no idea. The Hill is perfect for where it is at and fills a need for a slate of downtown customers.

This project is entirely cutting edge for OKC and breaks a long dearth in available (for sale) housing options. It certainly is a break for Midtown which has had very few quality (for sale) projects.

Has work started on the Lisbon Lofts yet?

It seems there was some confusion because traditional and suburban are being used interchangeably.

It also seems everyone agrees that there is room and demand for both traditional and more modern designs in the urban core.

I agree completely with this post.

The urban core needs to provide living units which appeal to many different segments. That means a variety of STYLES. There are plenty of contemporary, transitional, and all forms of traditional styles in suburbs and in core urban areas. Where I would agree with a line of demarcation would more likely be the inclusion of two car (or even one car) garages. Every place we have had in NYC was different in style, but frankly had more in common with the Hill interiors. That's because they were in older areas. BUT, none had garages or any accommodation for cars at all...just parking in front on the street if you could manage it. That is where the Hill is more suburban in style, IMHO, not because of the facing of the cabinets or the style of the baseboards. Apparently Lisbon still incorporates parking garages, but not built into the home like at the Hill. So, maybe it is MORE urban. It is definitely more contemporary...which I love. I would move into Lisbon MUCH quicker than I would the Hill. I will definitely be checking it out.

Now, if we could get more flats for purchase AND contemporary, AND in Midtown, I would be a happy prospect for buying one.

One of the things I like most about this project is that it only occupies 2 lots.

There are still hundreds of un- or under-developed parcels in Midtown so success here could launch a whole movement of micro infill.


Effectively, this would be the continuation of all the new single family homes in SoSa, just in more dense form.

Which would make a lot of sense, because SoSa is unmistakably single-family in nature and should probably continue to be such. Lisbon Lofts and Midtown bridge the density gap and are the edge of the 'wedding cake' shape JTF has mentioned recently.

You know, I just counted the number of single family homes and surprisingly it is less than 40 and they are very widely scattered amid vacant lots and commercial uses.

I'm not so sure that area wouldn't benefit from more density.

No doubt some multifamily and more dense uses could be added. However, on streets that already predominantly have single family lots and multiple houses of that type (both old and new), for instance 7th, I think that pattern should be adhered to, along with fairly consistent setbacks, etc.

See, and I'd be much more likely to move into The Hill than here. I'm not exactly a trendy person.

You know, I just counted the number of single family homes and surprisingly it is less than 40 and they are very widely scattered amid vacant lots and commercial uses.

I'm not so sure that area wouldn't benefit from more density.

It would definitely benefit from more density. There is no doubt. Surely well-built multifamily dwellings could harmonize with the modern homes being built in SOSA.

There are really only two blocks on 7th and two on 8th that have a decent concentration of homes.

That's it, other than a few homes scattered among a ton of vacant lots, multi-family and non-housing uses.

This is why I hate having to go into the office once a month. You guys solved the urban/suburban kitchen issue before I could get to a computer. :)

Anyhow, here is an urban kitchen (notice the location of the washing machine).

http://media.paris-sharing.com/media/photologue/photo/cache/paris-apartment-rue-lisbonne-kitchen_1000x800.JPG

That is what defines urban? A washing machine in the kitchen? LOL. All my NYC friends will be surprised to know they just aren't urban enough.

I wonder if those places I've passed in Mississippi know how urban they are ...they have washers on their front porches.

Don't forget the radiator, Rover. We must have kitchen radiators to be urban. :)

There are some old tenement apartments in the Lower East Side with toilets in the kitchen. Maybe we should do that.

Most urban abodes I've seen have great kitchens

Most urban abodes I've seen have great kitchens

And I've seen a lot of them that absolutely stink. To many urbanites, kitchens just aren't that important.

I would guess that an urban kitchen is one located in an urban area. I know people in NYC who I would swear learned to decorate in Edmond. And vice versa. Taste is personal, which is why some people would rather live in the Lisbon Lofts than the Hill. And vice versa.