This historic 1929 building was just purchased by an LLC that tracks back to David Box, who has owned the large parking lots directly behind for a number of years. Box also purchased the Gold Dome building before flipping it to Teemco and is the majority owner of the Greens Country Club.

The address is 601 & 603 NW 23rd and has been vacant and in disrepair for a while. It was home to Mutual Federal and before that Citizens State Bank but when MF moved out in the late 70's, the building has changed hands several times and has been leased to a thrift store among other things.

There are actually two separate buildings that have been combined; the western section is two stories (9,172 square feet) and the eastern just one (4,845 SF). We understand the plan is to renovate for multiple tenants, including a bar & restaurant.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw231.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw232.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/23rdsum603.jpg
201 NW 23rd (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=201+NW+23rd) * 23rd Street Courts (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=23rd+Street+Courts) * Back Door Barbecue * Big Truck Tacos * Cheever's * Daebak K * Dutch * Gold Dome * Grandad's * Guernsey Park * Guyutes * Old American Fidelity (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=23rd+Street+Courts) * Pizza 23 * Pizzeria Gusto * Pump Bar * Sunbeam Old Campus * The Classen * The Drake * The Rise * Tower Theater * Tucker's

BTW, I'm hearing that redevelopment could happen here very soon.

How about a new home for Flashback!

Finally. I have been curious if something was going to happen here for a while. Alright, Tower Theatre, your turn. Once The Rise is done, that will be one of the last mega-structures on 23rd to be renovated. Of course, there will be little singles along the way. Pete, is this David Box as in Box Talent?

I've always liked that building. It stands a chance to be one of the most visually appealing buildings on the street.

This is pure speculation, but I would be 0% surprised to find out that this will be Flashback Retro's new home.

I'm told even though the roof has been badly leaking (first order of business will be to fix the roof) that the building has a lot of original art deco elements on the inside, old bank vaults, etc.

Tons of potential, including a bar on the rooftop of the east building.

I look at this building all the time.. when eating at Pizza23 or Orange leaf I always talk about how awesome it could be. I knew it was only a matter of time before that happened so I will be watching. you can see the tiled edge of the 2nd story "loft" through the badly discolored window in the front and I imagine the glass all clear and sparkling and able to see into the interior.. Look forward to this!

I may be wrong, but believe this building originally housed the now defunct Mutual Federal Savings and Loan.

One of my fave buildings on 23rd.

I always thought this would be a good location for a bar like The Max in Tulsa, so I was slightly disappointed when flashback decided to locate in the rise. Hopefully this is their plan B!


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Drive by tonight after dinner in the area. About half a dozen guys on the roof (at 7:15pm) doing what appeared to be working on/installing a new roof. They'd been there most of the day and building was roped off as well. I'm assuming work has already started from looks of it.

Tons of potential, including a bar on the rooftop of the east building.

Do you suppose that would elicit neighborhood protests?

Drive by tonight after dinner in the area. About half a dozen guys on the roof (at 7:15pm) doing what appeared to be working on/installing a new roof. They'd been there most of the day and building was roped off as well. I'm assuming work has already started from looks of it.

Anyone want to take a bet as to whether this or the rise will open first?


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Do you suppose that would elicit neighborhood protests?

Being on the north side of the street should help.


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Do you suppose that would elicit neighborhood protests?

Depends. Will the future proprietors be playing Latin music?

Pete - any idea if Box has any suitors for this?

I was hoping Land Run would take a stab at it, but sounds like they are aiming for the dome. Maybe they will make a play for both.

I think plenty of people are interested, it's just Box wants too much money for any sort of redevelopment to work.

It's a cool property with tons of potential.

From my understanding, LandRun had a chance to buy it but didn't. This was the location we were looking at after our deal at the rise fell through. We toured to property, had floor plans drawn out, were really excited about what we could do with the space... And then nothing. Box apparently decided he was going to hold out for something better I guess. I know the roof has been fixed and most of the inside gutted out. Hopefully someone with deep pockets can bring this place to life. Especially the space with the small glass window entry.

^^^^
really wish you all would have moved to this location, sounds like it wasn't your choice though.

^^^^
really wish you all would have moved to this location, sounds like it wasn't your choice though.

It was a cool location, but I truly believe we ended up where we should be. Uptown is really growing and they are doing great things, but the appeal of being the first bar in Film Row was something we couldn't pass up.

We love the building we are in now, it has the look, the feel and layout that we wanted plus we are working with a great owner.

It was a cool location, but I truly believe we ended up where we should be. Uptown is really growing and they are doing great things, but the appeal of being the first bar in Film Row was something we couldn't pass up.

We love the building we are in now, it has the look, the feel and layout that we wanted plus we are working with a great owner.

Which building in Film Row are you going to be in?

Which building in Film Row are you going to be in?

OKCTalk - FlashBack RetroPub coming to Film Row (http://www.okctalk.com/content/81-flashback-retropub-coming-film-row.html)

Sweet, within walking distance of me.

The hits keep on coming for the booming Uptown / 23rd Street corridor, with yet another long-vacant building set for renovation and new occupants.

In November an LLC headed by local investor headed by Bruce Fraley purchased the buildings at 601 & 603 NW 23rd and the large parking areas to the north for $1.4 million from David Box.

The structures have been vacant and in disrepair for a while. It was home to Mutual Federal and before that Citizens State Bank but when MF moved out in the late 70's, the building has changed hands several times and has been leased to a thrift store among other things.

Plans call for two retail bays (one of which will retain the original bank vaults) on the ground floor and office on the second level. There is also a sizable basement.

All the windows will be replaced and some new openings will be added to the northern exposure. A small amount of stucco will be removed from the front of the building and replaced with bricks to match the rest of the facade.

One of the most unique features will be retained: The original storefront and window display along 23rd in the western retail bay.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw231.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw232.jpg


Site Plan:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/601nw23122915a.jpg


South Elevation:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/601nw23122915b.jpg


East Elevation:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/601nw23122915c.jpg


North Elevation:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/601nw23122915d.jpg


Ground Floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/601nw23122915e.jpg



2nd Floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/601nw23122915f.jpg



Basement:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/601nw23122915g.jpg

This was my dream building/location. I guess I will have to move on... LOL

One of the spaces is already rented; I believe to a restaurant / bar.

One of the spaces is already rented; I believe to a restaurant / bar.

That's great news! Any idea on whether it will open in 2016 or will renovations push it into 2017?

This is awesome news! I've always thought that was a really neat corner and I can't wait to see it come back to life!

That's great news! Any idea on whether it will open in 2016 or will renovations push it into 2017?

I believe they hope to get started right away and this shouldn't be a super complicated project.

The previous owner had already fixed the roof and done some other work.

Big projects in the works for Uptown | News OK (http://newsok.com/big-projects-in-the-works-for-uptown/article/5469641)

Apparently a speak easy style bar is going in the basement. I'm not sure what that is though.

Big projects in the works for Uptown | News OK (http://newsok.com/big-projects-in-the-works-for-uptown/article/5469641)

Apparently a speak easy style bar is going in the basement. I'm not sure what that is though.

A speakeasy was an bar that served liquor illegally during "prohibition" and wasn't open to view. I'm thinking the term here is meant to indicate that it will be somewhat hidden downstairs.

Not at all trying to be negative but when do we (or cities in general) reach critical mass for bars? I guess there is always a market for bars?

Not at all trying to be negative but when do we (or cities in general) reach critical mass for bars? I guess there is always a market for bars?

I'm guessing that would be when people quit opening bars and some start going out of business because of lack of patrons. Until liquor is outlawed again, there will continue to be a market for bars. Some will succeed and some won't. OKC is certainly not oversaturated with a surplus of quality bars.

One of the spaces is already rented; I believe to a restaurant / bar.

That was fast. Wow look at Uptown taking off.

This building is uncannily similar to the John Brown's dept store in Capitol Hill. Wonder if architect was the same.

I've mentioned this before but properties are now selling at such premiums in the core that when something changes hands, it's almost imperative that they fill it up with tenants just to service the debt.

An update by Steve.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5475460?embargo_redirect=yes


Plans are moving forward for redevelopment of the former Citizens State Bank building in Uptown with renovations set to start this spring and wrap up later this year.

Owner Bruce Fraley and his leasing agent, Chad Elmore, were in Dallas Thursday surveying potential tenants and concepts for the project.

"We're assembling a list of restaurant and entertainment uses."

This is a new rendering...

The name on the sign is just a placeholder.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw23012616.jpg

And here are the floorplans, including the basement restaurant & bar:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw23012916a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw23012916b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw23012916c.jpg

Application is being made to put this building on the National Registry of Historic Places.

You can't tell by these photos but I stuck my head in and they have done a ton of work to the inside.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/23rd020417a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/23rd020417b.jpg

Plans have been filed to completely redo the parking lot directly north, which is owned by the same group.

The existing lot is a pretty big disaster right now.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/603nw23022117.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/23rd061717.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/citizens093017a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/citizens093017b.jpg

Hurts donuts will be going into this location.

Hurts donuts will be going into this location.

Any idea when it is supposed to open?

I live about a block away, they don’t seem to be in a hurry. And they’ve had a lot of flooding issues with the basement. But I still see a crew or two just about every day. Some days the job site looks shut.