Anybody know how long it takes for that floor to make a complete revolution?

I know it moves very slowly... Perhaps an hour or so to make a full lap?

We ate there once when it was Nikz, almost 10 years ago. One lap took almost exactly one hour. We started at 8 and stayed for 2 hours, so we got one lap of daylight/dusk and one lap of darkness.

We ate there once when it was Nikz, almost 10 years ago. One lap took almost exactly one hour. We started at 8 and stayed for 2 hours, so we got one lap of daylight/dusk and one lap of darkness.That's interesting. The Reunion Tower in Dallas moves pretty fast then haha.

That's interesting. The Reunion Tower in Dallas moves pretty fast then haha.

How fast does it go? I've been up there, but only the observation deck level.

How fast does it go? I've been up there, but only the observation deck level.I don't know exactly, but when we were up there for about an hour, we must have made at least 4-6 full spins. Also, The Reunion Tower is a bit smaller and I didn't think about that, so that could have something to do with it.

When it was Eagle's Nest, one trip around was right at one hour.

So. Many. Steakhouses.

The steakhouse atop Founders Tower will be called The George and the lead chef will be the former owner (Josh Valentine) of Divine Swine.

The plan is to be open by fall:

Oklahoma Gazette Food and Drink: Features: New restaurant atop Founders Tower (http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-18655-lost-then-founders.html)


https://www.facebook.com/thegeorgeokc

Yep.... Saw an article last week where Dave Cathey mentioned the same.

Who's George anyway?

Who's George anyway?

I believe he used to be a partner at Interurban.

I found the Gazette pictures kind of humorous. Why is Josh Valentine ripping down sheet rock? Don't they have contractors for that? lol

Who's George anyway?

The article says it's named after the owner, Kevin George.

They may have very good reasons to not use the revolving feature but I don't think comparing it to an amusement park ride is a very good one. I wonder if he was ever there when it revolved. I always enjoyed it and never got sick from my head spinning or stomach dropping once. LOL

Actually, the restaurant never revolved. The tables, on a moving ring around the outside edge, went around in a slow, slow circle. I still don't understand why the waitstaff insisted on diners buckling their seatbelts.

Actually, the restaurant never revolved. The tables, on a moving ring around the outside edge, went around in a slow, slow circle. I still don't understand why the waitstaff insisted on diners buckling their seatbelts.

I always thought the tables were part of the restaurant, but what do I know. LOL

I did always keep my seatbelt firmly in place, though.

I believe he used to be a partner at Interurban.

Ah, thank you for that without treating me like I should have read the article.

Ah, thank you for that without treating me like I should have read the article.He used to be a partner at Interurban, what do you think, read the article GOSH!?!?!?!?(said in a Napoleon Dynamite voice lol). I'm just kidding though haha, I know what you mean though haha, it does get frustrating when people do that ;P

He used to be a partner at Interurban, what do you think, read the article GOSH!?!?!?!?(said in a Napoleon Dynamite voice lol). I'm just kidding though haha, I know what you mean though haha, it does get frustrating when people do that ;P

He's still a silent partner with interurban, but wasn't asked to be involved with Packard so he went off to do his own upscale thing. From what I've heard about this guy, it should be interesting to see how this turns out. Hoping for the best...

I used to have an association with that building. The motors and mechanisms for the revolving floor required constant attention and were prone to failure, components were difficult to come by (and this was years ago), and the electricity costs were very high. With all of the demands placed on the owner of a restaurant, maintaining the "turntable" is too much for most.

That being said, how many restaurants in OKC even have this option? This is the only one I can think of, and the location offers a great view in almost all directions.

Tough call.

Ah, thank you for that without treating me like I should have read the article.

No problem..... Even if you had read the Gazette article. I don't think that piece of information was in it.

Did I see in the land sales in the Oklahoman last week that the restaurant group bought the top floor? They arent leasing it? I guess if things go south they could always sell it as a penthouse pad.

Yes, the restaurant group bought the top floor for $1.3 million.

Yes, the restaurant group bought the top floor for $1.3 million.

Thats what I thought the number was. Thats a pretty good investment from the start, and no telling how much it'll cost to finish out. Sounds like they'll need to sell a bunch of steaks from the start. Best of luck to them.

I remember eating at the Eagle's Nest back in '83 and it revolved then. It was so slow that there was no way that you'd get nauseated. It was a really cool feature.

Yep, it never rotated fast enough to cause motion sickness etc. (think it took about an hour to make a complete revolution). It didn't even move as fast as the moving sidewalks where if you don't compensate for the motion it can mess you up. I will have to say it was a bit disconcerting to visit the restroom and not find your table where you left it...LOL

I used to have an association with that building. The motors and mechanisms for the revolving floor required constant attention and were prone to failure, components were difficult to come by (and this was years ago), and the electricity costs were very high. With all of the demands placed on the owner of a restaurant, maintaining the "turntable" is too much for most.

That being said, how many restaurants in OKC even have this option? This is the only one I can think of, and the location offers a great view in almost all directions.

Tough call.
If it was completely rebuilt with modern electronics and rollers it would be much better in an operational and maintenance sense and cost of operation but I am sure that it would be cost prohibitive to rebuild it completely.

From the Journal Record:


The space has a narrow band on the outside that is capable of spinning. George has a different plan for the layout of the restaurant.

“The narrow band doesn’t lend itself to groups and more people,” he said. “To make it where everyone has a good view, the layout is a lot better when it’s not spinning.”

All of the seating areas are away from the windows to allow for a better view of the Oklahoma City skyline and Lake Hefner, rather than looking directly on top of surrounding buildings.

The restaurant is expected to be open by mid-October.

I remember eating at the Eagle's Nest back in '83 and it revolved then. It was so slow that there was no way that you'd get nauseated. It was a really cool feature.

It did 1 rotation in 45 minutes.

From the Journal Record:


The space has a narrow band on the outside that is capable of spinning. George has a different plan for the layout of the restaurant.

“The narrow band doesn’t lend itself to groups and more people,” he said. “To make it where everyone has a good view, the layout is a lot better when it’s not spinning.”

All of the seating areas are away from the windows to allow for a better view of the Oklahoma City skyline and Lake Hefner, rather than looking directly on top of surrounding buildings.

The restaurant is expected to be open by mid-October.


Shame.

I don't want to sit outside to spin.

The only reason I would go to a restaurant out there would be/was for the cool spinning and dining experience. Without it, no reason to go.

Spinning outside a few minutes while standing outside takes out all the "wow" factor and lure the restaurant had.

Who wants to stand on a narrow band outside for an hour to see a city view?

Sitting and dining while spinning an hour, getting to see the whole city, is the attraction. If I just want to stand outside and see the cityscape a few minutes, I'll go stand on a Devon Tower floor.

The "outside ring" that used to rotate is inside the building.

The "outside ring" that used to rotate is inside the building.

LOL, isn't it fun what some people come up with?

Seat belts? I ate there a number of times, both when it was Eagle's nest and as Nikz, and never used or saw any such thing. Is this a joke I missed? It moved so slowly that there wasn't even a feeling of motion; you only would notice after a few minutes that your view was different. Also, as Larry says if you took an extended trip to the restroom you might have to search for your table, which was no longer where you left it.

Seat belts? I ate there a number of times, both when it was Eagle's nest and as Nikz, and never used or saw any such thing. Is this a joke I missed? It moved so slowly that there wasn't even a feeling of motion; you only would notice after a few minutes that your view was different. Also, as Larry says if you took an extended trip to the restroom you might have to search for your table, which was no longer where you left it.

That stems back to the article where the chef referred to revolving giving the tower the feel of an amusement park ride. It was a joke.

That stems back to the article where the chef referred to revolving giving the tower the feel of an amusement park ride. It was a joke.

I agree. The term "intellectually dishonest" comes to mind. He's really been exaggerating to make up for the fact the restaurant won't be as we remember it.

The George -- the steakhouse atop of Founders -- is now hiring staff and looks to be a few weeks from opening.

The George -- the steakhouse atop of Founders -- is now hiring staff and looks to be a few weeks from opening.

I had once thought about letting them take me for a spin after they open, but I suppose now I'll just have to settle for a (hopefully) decent stationary seat and meal.

Now I am hearing The George will open in March. Apparently there were some pretty extensive plumbing renovations that had to be completed which put them behind.

From the gazette:

Oklahoma Gazette Food and Drink: Guest Chef Series (http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-20570-valentine%E2%80%99s-day.html)

Any updates on the restaurant at the top? There was quite a bit of talk about it early in 2013 and then it just died.

I think it's dead or at least completely stalled.

Was supposed to be open last fall; they had already created all their plans and done a bunch of work.

They have not updated their Facebook page since February.

I think it's dead or at least completely stalled.

Was supposed to be open last fall; they had already created all their plans and done a bunch of work.

They have not updated their Facebook page since February.


The update I was given from last week was that they were planning on being open at the end of this week. Certainly I would think by the end of the month! I hear the space is done and is really slick.

The update I was given from last week was that they were planning on being open at the end of this week. Certainly I would think by the end of the month! I hear the space is done and is really slick.

Great news!

They had gone so quiet for so long and had missed their previous target badly, so I feared the worst.

Thanks for the info.

This was just posted by Dave Cathey today:


By George, the opening is near

It’s been far longer than any of the parties involved dared believe, but The George Prime Steakhouse will soon be open.

I have seen with my own eyes the dining room, kitchen and bar perched atop the Founders Tower, and I can report it is ready for business. However, the restaurant concept conceived by Kevin George, of the Interurban restaurant group, and executed by chef Josh Valentine still had a of couple i’s and t’s in need of dots and crosses from the city before it opens its doors to the public.

With even a modicum of good luck — which George, Valentine and staff are way overdue in receiving — the restaurant will be open by June 1. You’ll excuse George and his staff from offering an official opening date right now for fear of waking some yet unforeseen jinx on what’s already been a trying time.

Be patient and rest assured you will be able to eat a prime steak while watching the Fourth of July fireworks from high above northwest Oklahoma City at The George. And when you do, there’s a great chance it won’t be on your first visit to the new restaurant.

http://newsok.com/open-flame-returns-in-oklahoma-city/article/4746783

The George will host a private event on Wednesday and should be opening very soon:

Look Up in the Sky...It's The George, readying to stuff you with prime beef! | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/4889992)

Opens June 20th:

By George, you can now make a reservation for prime beef with a view | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/4903717)

By George they did it. THEY DID IT!

man, im super excited to try this place out. met Chef Valentine before and seems like a really good guy. hope this place is a huge success!

Have a reservation for July 19th.... Giving them a month to get all the kinks worked out.

The George will offer lunch and dinner services and has a full bar. It also includes a Chef’s Table outside the kitchen window, intimate two-tops along the north edge of the space and low-lying horseshoe booths that offer spectacular views. The restaurant also has an enormous private dining room equipped for small banquets and presentations.

Would be fun to go up and sit at the bar, have a nice cocktail and take in the view.

Would be fun to go up and sit at the bar, have a nice cocktail and take in the view.

Are you asking me out on a date? ;)

Here is the layout:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/restaurants-bars/8143d1402603658-george-georgefloor.jpg

It's been a really long time since I was at Nicks at the top. Like, 12-ish years. I have no recollection of what the layout was like. For those that can remember, is it remarkably different?

Is it going to rotate?

Is it going to rotate?

No

that kinda sucks since we know the technical capability has existed in the past

that kinda sucks since we know the technical capability has existed in the past

I think it was in this thread, or another, but I think they said the problem was that it's so old that parts and maintenance was a huge problem. 3-D printers should help out with things like this before too long, if they can get just one original part.

As shown above, the bar/lounge will face due south and make the most of the fantastic views towards downtown.

I have a feeling the bar is going to become a very popular spot.

This was from a Journal Record article last year:


The space has a narrow band on the outside that is capable of spinning. George has a different plan for the layout of the restaurant.

“The narrow band doesn’t lend itself to groups and more people,” he said. “To make it where everyone has a good view, the layout is a lot better when it’s not spinning.”

All of the seating areas are away from the windows to allow for a better view of the Oklahoma City skyline and Lake Hefner, rather than looking directly on top of surrounding buildings.

since it's not incorporated, hopefully they have adequately disabled the spin so that there are no surprises for the guests.

I'll admit I am a bit bummed it won't rotate. There are not many rotating restaurants in the world, so this is pretty unique. I can certainly understand the technical issues at play here. As long as the equipment/infrastructure is retained so that in the future the rotating function could be restored, I'm good with it.

I'll admit I am a bit bummed it won't rotate. There are not many rotating restaurants in the world, so this is pretty unique. I can certainly understand the technical issues at play here. As long as the equipment/infrastructure is retained so that in the future the rotating function could be restored, I'm good with it.

I think another reason was because they would have to use shorter tables for on the turntable.