Pete won't ever give us a hint, that's how he gets all this great info! I'm excited, too, though.

Williams Sonoma has a deal in place that they can't open up anywhere in OKC until their current lease runs out at Penn Square. They left their space due to the sewage flooding and made this agreement as I was told by a former manager. I have no idea when or if they will come back.

Williams Sonoma has a deal in place that they can't open up anywhere in OKC until their current lease runs out at Penn Square. They left their space due to the sewage flooding and made this agreement as I was told by a former manager. I have no idea when or if they will come back.

I'm not too excited about Williams Sonoma coming back since we have Sur La Table. I am excited about this project and the idea of something unique, though I have no idea what to expect beyond what's in this thread already.

I'm not too excited about Williams Sonoma coming back since we have Sur La Table. I am excited about this project and the idea of something unique, though I have no idea what to expect beyond what's in this thread already.

I love SLT too, but WS carries some different product lines that I like . . . their kitchen towels can't be beat and I love their seasonal dinnerware. I'm holding out for the trifecta. . .WS, SLT, C&B!!

I love SLT too, but WS carries some different product lines that I like . . . their kitchen towels can't be beat and I love their seasonal dinnerware. I'm holding out for the trifecta. . .WS, SLT, C&B!!

Don't get me wrong, I love WS, I'm just thankful we have SLT in its absence. If it eventually returns, I'll likely shop there again, but the prospect of its return doesn't excite me.

The retail options have grown dramatically over the last 10-15 years here, so my imagination of what the next big announcement will be is shrinking relative to when I was a kid. If Oklahoma City had an independent department store, it would be awesome to have a flagship store in Oak, i.e. Stanley Korshak as part of The Crescent in Dallas. Otherwise, places like Zara are about the main thing missing (to me) that I could realistically see coming soon unless Oklahoma City is closer than I think to attracting individual luxury stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Tiffany’s, etc. but more than anything, I’m just happy to see companies invest in Oklahoma City.

I know I’ve said it on here before but I would love a shake shack in there

I know I’ve said it on here before but I would love a shake shack in there

I and others have mentioned that in the past as well. Pete has insinuated that Shake Shack fits the criteria of what the developers are looking for. That doesn’t mean it will happen or that we should put blind faith in it being a done deal, of course, but if there’s anyone I trust to attract them, it’d be those behind Oak with Chisholm Creek being the next best bet.

Not directly part of Oak, but the NW corner of NW Expressway and Penn -- a long-vacant Verizon store -- will become an Integris Urgent Care facility.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/oak082723x.jpg

Not directly part of Oak, but the NW corner of NW Expressway and Penn -- a long-vacant Verizon store -- will become an Integris Urgent Care facility.

As is, remodeled or town down and built new?

As is, remodeled or town down and built new?

Remodeled.

New sign up this morning 18242

Anybody been able to decipher this yet?18243

Stella McCartney (Paul's daughter) has a line of boots called cloudy cowboys. But her having a store in OKC adding to this list would be pretty crazy. https://www.stellamccartney.com/us/en/storelocator

Stella McCartney (Paul's daughter) has a line of boots called cloudy cowboys. But her having a store in OKC adding to this list would be pretty crazy. https://www.stellamccartney.com/us/en/storelocator

I know nothing of the brand, but the name and the existing locations associated would be really cool to get.

Obviously it's a dispensary.

Locations - Miami, NYC, Vegas, and Costa Mesa (SCP), and Okc - hahHahahahahahaha

I'm going to throw a name in the ring that is a long shot, but would be a cool get: Draper James. It's based in Nashville (Reese Witherspoon's clothing line) and I could see those emojis matching up.

Anybody been able to decipher this yet?18243

On Running and a Kemo Sabe

You can see they have started site work on Arhuas:

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As usual great pics Pete! Too bad OKC doesn't have any trees (sarcasm)

The next 12 months are going to be fun to watch as this project moves towards the grand opening next fall.

Right?? Love the plentiful trees in OKC. Those pictures really highlight this.

Thanks for updating us so diligently, Pete! (Never posted on here, been viewing as a non-member for a while!)

The next 12 months are going to be fun to watch as this project moves towards the grand opening next fall.

Agreed! Can't wait to see what else will be a part of the development! Thank you or what you do!

Press release:

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OAK Makes $2 Million Art Investment for Common Areas
Famous artists plan sky-high landmarks for Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 11, 2023) – In the heart of OAK, the 20-acre mixed-use district rising at 5101 North Pennsylvania Ave., two remarkable art installations will become new landmarks for Oklahoma City. OAK ownership invested in the significant sculptures, known as Cloud Trees and Cloud Puncher, to create a memorable experience in OAK’s 7,000-square-foot community lawn and the project’s common areas. The art is inspired by the tension between Oklahoma’s red earth and dramatic skies.

At 25.5 feet tall, the three Cloud Trees feature illuminated, bronze tree trunks and a shared canopy of mirror-polished stainless steel clouds suspended over OAK’s community stage. In the center of the colossal 42-foot by 30-foot cloud formation, there is an oval oculus cut out called “eye to the skies.” Viewers are encouraged to look up to see themselves reflected in the clouds above in relation to the dynamic, ever-changing sky above the city. The sculpture will pick up ambient lights and colors throughout the day and seasons, and the sculpture will glow from the internally lit tree trunks and oculus for a stunning nighttime viewing experience. The intentional design of the sculpture allows for the stage area below the clouds to be programmed for music and community-based entertainment. At 60,000 pounds, the Cloud Trees are a massive undertaking for the artists and development team.

Just steps away, Cloud Puncher features a determined, larger-than-life cowboy roping an errant cloud to bring it back to its home in the Cloud Trees sculpture. The 16.5-foot-long cloud is cantilevered above the lawn from the second-story pool deck of the Lively Hotel. Guests of the hotel have an elevated viewing position to see the cloud and the Cloud Trees across the community lawn. The two-times-life size cowboy has his heels dug into the ground and his face down as he pulls on the 30-foot-long bronze rope. Cloud Puncher depicts badassery, and the cowboy’s face is featureless to make him relatable to all who pass by.

The artists behind the installations are Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin of Brad Oldham Sculpture, who are known for other famous sculptures such as a 40-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture named The Traveling Man in Dallas, Texas, which has been named on Top 10 Things to See lists and has earned recognition from national arts organizations. Another well-known sculpture is Running With The Moon, an internally lit, 35-foot-tall stainless steel moon made of 509 butterflies cantilevered over a river in San Antonio, Texas.

“Cloud Trees and Cloud Puncher represent the determination and grit that is synonymous with Oklahoma City,” said Oldham. “They reflect the vibrant, inner rascal spirit of the region while offering accessible and memorable placemaking concepts that contribute to the overall experience at OAK. We can’t wait to see the community interact with these epic sculptures next Fall.”

In addition to Cloud Trees and Cloud Puncher, Veritas commissioned the Brad Oldham Sculpture team to create the Mighty Live OAK sculpture in lost-wax cast bronze. The 22 feet wide and 10 feet tall installation will serve as the arrival sign for the district, brimming with power and promise, warmly welcoming residents and guests to OAK.


“Art is a powerful catalyst for culture, community and connection, and it was important for us to design artful encounters that are meaningful to Oklahoma City,” said McNeill. “I have a feeling Cloud Puncher and Cloud Trees will activate our community lawn beyond any of our wildest dreams.”


In addition to these major installations, OAK’s ownership team will work with local artists to create murals and artful encounters throughout the property.

Last month, the development team celebrated the topping out of the Lively Hotel, a significant construction milestone that puts the project on track for a September 2024 grand opening. OAK’s first phase includes 135,000 square feet of retail, a 132-key boutique Lively Hotel, 320 upscale apartments and a central greenspace activated with more than 100 community events per year. A future phase of the project includes 100,000 square feet of loft office space and an additional 85,000 square feet of retail.

OAK will be home to exceptional retail and hospitality experiences, with first-to-market brands RH, Arhaus and Capital Grille already on board. Open Realty’s Michael Nagy and Chris Speciale are leading retail leasing efforts, and plan to announce several other retail concepts in the coming months.

Gatehouse Capital is leading the hotel component, called Lively Hotel, a boutique hotel concept by Hilton™. As Oklahoma’s first Tapestry Collection hotel, Lively Hotel will include a 3,050-square-foot bar and restaurant; an elevated amenity deck with a 2,400-square-foot outdoor bar and activated pool area; a fitness center; and over 2,600 square feet of meeting space. At the ground floor, the hotel will feature 13,500 square feet of retail space.

Veritas has engaged Mintwood Real Estate as the multifamily development partner to create a first-of-its-kind residential experience for Oklahoma City. OAK’s apartment community will have curated interior finishes, including quartz countertops, walk-in closets, and powder baths. The building amenities include a first-class fitness center featuring a kid’s playroom, private work and conference rooms, an entertainment suite featuring a golf simulator and shared kitchen, a resort-style pool and elevated courtyards.

McNeill is joined by Everett Dobson and the Dobson family as partners in the multi-phased mixed-use project.

I'm not sure I've ever seen "badassery" used in an official press release, but I love it!

So that's what the cloud and cowboy emojis were referring to

So that's what the cloud and cowboy emojis were referring to

Yes.

There should be new announcements starting to roll out over the next 12 months as they work towards their grand opening.

I know they have 2 relatively big names lined up but there will be a bunch more. I know the right balance of tenants is very important to them.

The art investments throughout the city continue to make our city attractive.

You can see they have started site work on Arhuas:

Arhuas is a very very fine huas...

Yes.

There should be new announcements starting to roll out over the next 12 months as they work towards their grand opening.

I know they have 2 relatively big names lined up but there will be a bunch more. I know the right balance of tenants is very important to them.

And you can't tell us right now can you- hahaha

And you can't tell us right now can you- hahaha

I hope this isn't a dig at Pete. He won't breach the trust developers have with him by spilling beans they don't want him to. Never has, never will. No need for bashing.

If I find out something on my own and can independently verify it, then I don't seek permission to report it.

But if someone tells me something that I didn't otherwise know, they have the right to dictate terms. Or if I think I know something but can't be completely sure, often I'm told: "Yes, but please don't announce quite yet as things are still being finalized". In those situations, it's the honest and ethical thing not to blast it out to the universe.


I don't think either of these two is going to be any type of bombshell so I'm not teasing or trying to play the game of look-how-smart-I-am. I suspect both will be announced in the next couple of months and we'll continue to get similar releases as everything progresses.

I hope this isn't a dig at Pete. He won't breach the trust developers have with him by spilling beans they don't want him to. Never has, never will. No need for bashing.

They can speak for themselves on their intent but if you haven’t noticed, when Pete hints around, someone routinely makes a standard, tongue-in-cheek, “can’t wait to find out what you know” comment.

I think the surrounding neighborhood will become very attractive for new builds, similar to the neighborhood south of Classen Curve.

I think the surrounding neighborhood will become very attractive for new builds, similar to the neighborhood south of Classen Curve.

I live there are we've had at least 50 remodels and flips in the last couple of years and the pace seems to be accelerating.

A few tear-down/rebuilds but I would expect that to increase, especially if rates come down a bit.

Apart from the proximity to this development, you can get anywhere from here very quickly and pretty much all the best shopping is very nearby. I love it here.

I hope this isn't a dig at Pete. He won't breach the trust developers have with him by spilling beans they don't want him to. Never has, never will. No need for bashing.

It wasn’t at all. I know he can’t tell and lose his sources.

If I find out something on my own and can independently verify it, then I don't seek permission to report it.

But if someone tells me something that I didn't otherwise know, they have the right to dictate terms. Or if I think I know something but can't be completely sure, often I'm told: "Yes, but please don't announce quite yet as things are still being finalized". In those situations, it's the honest and ethical thing not to blast it out to the universe.


I don't think either of these two is going to be any type of bombshell so I'm not teasing or trying to play the game of look-how-smart-I-am. I suspect both will be announced in the next couple of months and we'll continue to get similar releases as everything progresses.

I understand and wasn’t implying you’re playing that game. I know how it goes. I was always “mayor of the mall” when I worked in them and tried to get the scoop. No worries.

Arhuas is a very very fine huas...

I'll respond ..... 😊

I'll respond ..... ��

Needs one more very though...

Needs one more very though...

Argh...yes, you are correct.

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I wonder what additional infrastructure is going to be considered to handle the increased traffic flow

I wonder what additional infrastructure is going to be considered to handle the increased traffic flow

NW 50th will align with the light on Penn, which will help.

Also, that is a completely new street and intersection on NW Expressway just west of Oak. As it is now, drivers have to exit NW Ex at Villa, then go east on 50th or go all the way to Penn and then right on NW 50th.

So, I think the huge majority of the traffic will be coming in at NW 50th on Penn or on the new street and be contained to that small area. Of course, there will be more traffic on both Penn and NW Ex.

NW 50th will align with the light on Penn, which will help.

Also, that is a completely new street and intersection on NW Expressway just west of Oak. As it is now, drivers have to exit NW Ex at Villa, then go east on 50th or go all the way to Penn and then right on NW 50th.

So, I think the huge majority of the traffic will be coming in at NW 50th on Penn or on the new street and be contained to that small area. Of course, there will be more traffic on both Penn and NW Ex.

NW expressway could handle a bit more traffic and be ok. . Penn could create an issue

Penn could really use a dedicated center turn lane from NW 47th to NW 56th

Penn could really use a dedicated center turn lane from NW 47th to NW 56th

Yes. And along with May Ave from NW50th all the way up north!

Yes. And along with May Ave from NW50th all the way up north!

That'll never happen, way too much infrastructure too close to the street, not allowing for expansion, and the street's not wide enough (in most places) to just restripe. I soooooooooooooooooooo wish they would, though, just from 58th - Wilshire at the very least!

That'll never happen, way too much infrastructure too close to the street, not allowing for expansion, and the street's not wide enough (in most places) to just restripe. I soooooooooooooooooooo wish they would, though, just from 58th - Wilshire at the very least!

Exactly right you are. Poor poor planning from the get-go, but that's for another thread!

Pretty cool that this is getting built almost exactly like it was proposed.

Dallas-based Mesero is set to bring its contemporary Mexican food and craft cocktails to the OAK development under construction at NW Expressway and Penn.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mesero100323a.jpg


This will be Mesero’s first location outside the state of Texas.

The popular restaurant will join Capital Grille, RH Gallery, Arhaus, Lively Hotel, upscale apartments and many more retail and dining tenants yet to be announced at OAK.

The 5,500 square foot space will overlook a small park in the center of the development and will include a mezzanine level for outdoor dining.

OAK also recently announced plans to include two large sculptures in the Park, both with chrome-like cloud structures: Cloud Trees and Cloud Puncher. The $2 million art installation by Brad Oldham Sculpture.

OAK plans to be open in the summer of 2024.



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Looks like an excellent addition to OAK and the food scene. Glancing at the menu and it is definitely not the standard Okie-Mex as it were. The food looks high quality and tasty. Can't wait to see what other announcements are coming with this development. So far, they have a perfect track record of bringing in the right tenants. They are doing things in a first class way and doing them right. Kudos to the OAK team!

The announcements should start coming faster now.

There are several things I think are done and a bunch more where they are close.

All the proposed tenants I've seen would be high-quality.

Excited about Mesero. Its predecessor, Mr. Mesero on McKinney, was one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas. I guess it's now changed its name to Doce Tablas or something but it is the ancestor to the Mesero chain.

If the quality level is as good as Mr. Mesero this will seriously elevate OKC's Tex-Mex tableau.

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Is there a small additional row of apartments on the back side of the parking garage up against the road?

Is there a small additional row of apartments on the back side of the parking garage up against the road?

Yes.

To completely shield the garage from view.

Yes.

To completely shield the garage from view.

I love that. Such a quality development taking shape here.

And that's a ton of retail tucked away back there as well.

And that's a ton of retail tucked away back there as well.

There are going to be a ton of smaller restaurants, bars and patios, especially in the next phase when they take out the Registry building.

For that part of the development, they will focus more on local places and I've seen a rendering with a food hall type of complex with a rooftop patio (not a final plan, just one of several options).

So, there will be some very nice sit-down places but also a lot of options for coffee, ice cream and more casual places that will offer a wide variety.


As I keep saying, this will be unlike anything else in OKC and should be a denser and better Utica Square.

It's such a cool development. I keep hoping and praying for an Eataly, but I don't see it happening. The location at Dallas NorthPark is 46,000 sf and most of the other locations are 40-45,000 sf. It would be a huge get for development.