I'll take Whataburger vs all!

Tend to agree......... but there is already one just a few blocks away.;)

Pete, since PB and WS are moving/opening at Oak, do you think PB Kids will be a part of that as well? I assume West Elm has a long term lease at Classen and Grand, but it would be cool to see other new to market stores like PBK or GreenRow, which is a part of the PB family.

Would like to see a nice, quality french bakery/restaurant. La Parisienne comes to mind! Also, perhaps a Peter Millar shop and a Tommy Bahama store! Crate and Barrel too. Looking forward to the finished project. This is a nice development!


https://thestardistrict.com/tenants/la-parisienne-french-bistro/

:yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat:

i think this is a brand new image ..

https://www.priceedwards.com/sites/default/files/styles/property_detail_image/public/for-lease/images/OAK%203_0.png?itok=FjO4LPSu

and the office building is much further west

That goes with what Pete was saying and showing with the PB on the corner there.

Thank god WS is coming back, which means more Pumpkin bread, noodles and of course peppermint bark to buy :). I wonder if a department store type like Macy's would move there since they've been opening smaller and nicer format stores.

Thank god WS is coming back, which means more Pumpkin bread, noodles and of course peppermint bark to buy :). I wonder if a department store type like Macy's would move there since they've been opening smaller and nicer format stores.
The Macy’s across the street doesn’t do well at all. Macy’ has really slid.

Pete, since PB and WS are moving/opening at Oak, do you think PB Kids will be a part of that as well? I assume West Elm has a long term lease at Classen and Grand, but it would be cool to see other new to market stores like PBK or GreenRow, which is a part of the PB family.

There used to be a PB Kids at Penn Square before where F21 is years ago. It did not do the volume needed and closed shop. I could see maybe some of their stuff within the PB store but not a full fledged store.

I know OAK talked to Design Within Reach (which I personally love) but I think that deal died for some reason.

I know they are trying to bring in a good mix with several apparel tenants. Unfortunately, Zara is a no-go.

it should be it is a higher category of restaurant at a higher price point ..

I agree. But according to some on here, it’s a “fast food” place that’s “mediocre.”

I know OAK talked to Design Within Reach (which I personally love) but I think that deal died for some reason.

I know they are trying to bring in a good mix with several apparel tenants. Unfortunately, Zara is a no-go.

Was Zara on the fence or a no thank you from the beginning?

Was Zara on the fence or a no thank you from the beginning?

I think they never even considered the site or OKC.

Steel going up for Arhaus; work has started on Capital Grille.

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. . .and forecast to when Capital Grille will open?

. . .and forecast to when Capital Grille will open?

Like in fall of 2024 with the rest of the complex.

Do you think phase 1 will be completely open or still under construction when Phase 2 starts?

Do you think phase 1 will be completely open or still under construction when Phase 2 starts?

Well, Pottery Barn is almost sure to start before Phase 1 is completed.

Maybe the same for the office building.

The restaurants to the west (which is technically Phase 3) might not start until after Phase 1 is open; all depends on who they can get to sign on the line which is dotted.

Well, Pottery Barn is almost sure to start before Phase 1 is completed.

Maybe the same for the office building.

The restaurants to the west (which is technically Phase 3) might not start until after Phase 1 is open; all depends on who they can get to sign on the line which is dotted.

For clarification, are you talking about the restaurants on the back side of the apartments or something else?

Marlin Bar, Williams Sonoma and a free-standing Pottery Barn are the latest additions to OAK at NW Expressway and Penn.


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Press release:

********

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 2, 2023) – Ryan McNeill of Veritas Development today announced Williams Sonoma, Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, and Pottery Barn as the latest concepts joining OAK, the 20-acre mixed-use district rising at 5101 North Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City. Opening September 2024, the retailers join a previously announced lineup of new-to-market brands, including Mesero, RH, Arhaus, and Capital Grille.

“We’ve been carefully listening to the community on the types of retailers and restaurants they want at OAK, and we’re proud to announce the latest lineup of best-in-class brands joining the project,” said McNeill. “With our sights set on next year’s grand opening, we’re proud to be another step closer to bringing an unequaled retail, residential and hospitality experience to OAK.”

Williams Sonoma
A leading specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home, Williams Sonoma is known for providing world-class service and an engaging customer experience, including in-store cooking classes and tastings conducted by expert culinary staff. Williams Sonoma will open in a 5,500-square-foot space facing the activated lawn.


Tommy Bahama
Tommy Bahama’s new restaurant concept, the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, will become the first Oklahoma location for the brand’s hybrid dining and shopping experience. The 8,000-square-foot space opens to the heart of the project and includes an expansive patio for indoor-outdoor dining that can be enclosed to accommodate the colder months. The restaurant will feature a fun-filled bar with signature cocktails and shareable food. The space also includes a retail store with the Tommy Bahama men’s and women’s sportswear, activewear and swim collections, as well as home entertaining and décor items.

“We’re excited to bring our new Marlin Bar concept to OAK,” said Doug Wood, CEO of Tommy Bahama. “Over the last 30 years, we have seen how our guests enjoy shopping at Tommy Bahama when it is combined with a restaurant. It's one of the ways Tommy Bahama is different from other lifestyle brands. We developed the Marlin Bar concept to create a more casual way for our guests to enjoy the Tommy Bahama shopping and dining experience. I know that our Oklahoma guests are going to love our new space.”


Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn, a premier specialty retailer for casual, comfortable and stylish home furnishings for all life stages and every room, will open in a 12,420-square-foot space at OAK. The brand is dedicated to beautiful ideas for real life, quality products that are crafted to last, sustainability and service.



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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. Open Realty’s Michael Nagy and Chris Speciale are leading retail leasing efforts on behalf of OAK.

At the heart of the project, two remarkable art installations will become new landmarks for Oklahoma City. OAK ownership invested $2 million in the sculptures, known as Cloud Trees and Cloud Puncher, to create a memorable experience in OAK’s 7,000-square-foot community lawn and the common areas. The artist team, which includes Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin of Brad Oldham Sculpture, will also create the Mighty Live OAK sculpture, which will become the arrival sign for the district. In addition, OAK’s ownership team will work with local artists to create murals and artful encounters throughout the property.

Gatehouse Capital is leading the development of 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.

Great announcements!

I was holding out hope for Crate and Barrel but it's hard to imagine them adding that now given all of the other home goods stores in the mix.

I never noticed the indentions in the apartments on the south side of the development. I would assume that is to create common space between the apartments above the retail?

I never noticed the indentions in the apartments on the south side of the development. I would assume that is to create common space between the apartments above the retail?

Correct:

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That is going to be one busy area. Well done.

The Tommy Bahama was hiding in plain site on the plans. When my husband and I visit Sarasota Florida he always likes to make a stop at the clothing store and the restaurant.

The Tommy Bahama was hiding in plain site on the plans. When my husband and I visit Sarasota Florida he always likes to make a stop at the clothing store and the restaurant.

Haha... Yes, it was always there and not very well disguised, much like RH Gallery.

TB was one of the first things I became aware of but for some reason, they only recently inked the deal.


The bar and patio should be fun and a big draw.

Nice this developer is following through on the plans used to "sell" the project. It's going to be one of the best places to visit in the state. It's unfortunate the same kind of developer didn't build out University North Park in Norman - they promised OAK and we got the sprawly mess that is UNP......

I hear this a lot (on here) and not sure exactly what defines a "mess". Could it have been more? I suppose. Could it be a little "better" in places? Maybe. But statistically they are they most visited retail center in the entire state, as recently detailed. So I don't think the developers, the tenants, the city or the university is too disappointed overall. And the new development recently announced could take it to another level, we'll see. But this constant denigration of it is more about naive snobbery than it is about any tangible, verifiable disconnect between what was promised and what was built. If you thought an OAK equivalent was going in there, you're the one that mislead you.

When you look at that last drone picture and see the amount of retail/restaurant space from Belle Isle to PSM and now what The Oak will bring is amazing! I would guess this will prompt more multi-family housing. Don't forget Classen Circle down the street and Classen Curve just up from Belle Isle a short drive. That's a lot of food and shopping to choose from. None like OKC has ever seen before. Don't forget what we're seeing and continue to see up north at Chislom Creek. IMO the icing on the cake would be a new downtown arena.

^

Very true and Mayfair and May Avenue (Sam's, Lowe's, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot and much more) is just a mile west.

It's such a great area to live because so much so close plus you can get anywhere in the metro very quickly.

I just hate that this is so limited, size-wise. There isn't much room to expand this, as it will rapidly fill up and be super successful. I want this to be a Domain-type development for OKC, but it is just so small. It is getting amazing tenants, and seems to have quality ownership. Imagine this in an the size of Chisholm Creek or even The Half.

But alas, they have hit a home run here with this, and hopefully they can keep it up!

^

Very true and Mayfair and May Avenue (Sam's, Lowe's, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot and much more) is just a mile west.

It's such a great area to live because so much so close plus you can get anywhere in the metro very quickly.

. . little bit further West (Meridian), but love this whole are is experiencing a resurgence!!

. . little bit further West (Meridian), but love this whole are is experiencing a resurgence!!

Pancho’s Liquortown!!!

. . little bit further West (Meridian), but love this whole are is experiencing a resurgence!!

Little bit further east (Western) but ditto!

I just hate that this is so limited, size-wise.

The limited plot is also an asset, preventing another sprawling development. Instead this will be dense and walkable. Bigger often is worse.

Totally agree. I think you can draw an arc from Oak to Penn Square to Classen Curve to Nichols Hills Plaza, Whole Foods area and the boutiques on Western and really see this entire 2-3 square mile area becoming the premier shopping destination in the state.

I'd love to imagine what the area could have been if they had also somehow been able to also repurpose the old plant and lake instead of putting that cut-rate strip mall in its place. But, but, but, I'm not going to gripe too badly about that. It's looking better every day and feeling more "big city."

Little bit further east (Western) but ditto!

In the middle (May/36th), double ditto!

I will be sparing no expense at Tommy Bahama. I love their stuff

The limited plot is also an asset, preventing another sprawling development. Instead this will be dense and walkable. Bigger often is worse.

I am more thinking Legacy West sized. That is insane, and I wish OKC could have something that size. Not bashing the development, at all. It is killing it!

I just hope it doesn't "kill" Penn Square.

^^^^^^^^
It’s likely to bolster sales at PSM, so long as they pay attention to maintaining the property and its tenant mix. PSM is an outlier when it comes to enclosed malls; still a highly-performing property while the industry itself struggles mightily. In this case, retail density is a GOOD thing.

Poor PSM has never really gotten a ton of love from Simon. I wish this could help, but I doubt Simon cares that much.

The limited plot is also an asset, preventing another sprawling development. Instead this will be dense and walkable. Bigger often is worse.

This. This. This. Limited spaces will create demand for those spaces. Too much room could cause developers to bring in lower-quality stuff just to fill space.

On the space conversation: it's much more important for things to be built to last for 100+ years than it is to have a bunch of space to build on. Look how much Chisolm Creek has "struggled" to put together their ambitious plan with all the space they have. Not so much trying to dog on Chisolm Creek as I am showing just how incredibly well thought out and executed this development is and how it has come together so quickly in comparison. Not having a lot of room to play with actually provides the kind of limits that are sometimes necessary to move forward. The office tower adjustment is a great example: it largely looks the same and was only slightly moved around but it fits very cleanly with the plan and they're moving forward with it.

And the rest of the area will only continue to take off. There is:

1. All of the surface parking both at PSM and Belle Isle that will eventually become too big of an opportunity cost not to develop.

2. The group that's been collecting properties south of NWX and west of Classen that could coalesce in the 2030s (and potentially earlier, especially if Oak is as successful as we think it will be).

3. Tons of single story infrastructure that is at least 20 years old and could be easily torn down over the next 10-15 years for higher and better use.

4. Talks of burying I-44, which could also be capped to open development space/opportunity.

It's not going to be Manhattan in 20 years, but there's no way if this Oak is successful that this area doesn't get increased investment. The best example is probably the Galleria area in Houston which is similarly distanced from downtown and built around a retail hub with some major office around the area (mainly 50 Penn & Valliance Bank). That's a super nice area of Houston.

This is great, I can honestly say the core of Oklahoma City is swelling, and thats a good thing. Traffic is crazy, no parking downtown, pedestrians everywhere downtown, restraunts are full, apartments are full, construction everwhere.

This is great, I can honestly say the core of Oklahoma City is swelling, and thats a good thing. Traffic is crazy, no parking downtown, pedestrians everywhere downtown, restraunts are full, apartments are full, construction everwhere.

Traffic is crazy?

Traffic is crazy?

OKC traffic is not close to being at DFW, Austin, or Denver levels yet, but surface streets in the core are noticeably busier than they were back in, say, 2018-19.

OKC traffic is not close to being at DFW, Austin, or Denver levels yet, but surface streets in the core are noticeably busier than they were back in, say, 2018-19.

Depends on where you are, I imagine, but when checking the 2023 or 2022 counts against history, most surface streets in the core are still lower than pre-pandemic. Traffic in the core on surface streets peaked around 2017... It's fascinating to look at the flow of traffic around the core and how it's changed.

https://acog.public.ms2soft.com/tcds/tsearch.asp?loc=Acog&mod=

Depends on where you are, I imagine, but when checking the 2023 or 2022 counts against history, most surface streets in the core are still lower than pre-pandemic. Traffic in the core on surface streets peaked around 2017... It's fascinating to look at the flow of traffic around the core and how it's changed.

https://acog.public.ms2soft.com/tcds/tsearch.asp?loc=Acog&mod=

This is fantastic, thank you for providing data to refute my anecdote. Didn't even know this website existed and currently having a lot of fun playing around with it.

Pete-
Do we any updates to what the rent prices be for the apts?

I will be sparing no expense at Tommy Bahama. I love their stuff I am excited about this concept too! Love his coastal look in clothes. The bar looks very cool too!

Great announcements!

I was holding out hope for Crate and Barrel but it's hard to imagine them adding that now given all of the other home goods stores in the mix. I could still see C&B in this development. Really like this store! Let's hold our breath.

So nice to see the construction and continued growth of OKC. Lots of new stores and shops a the OAK.

^^^^^^^^
It’s likely to bolster sales at PSM, so long as they pay attention to maintaining the property and its tenant mix. PSM is an outlier when it comes to enclosed malls; still a highly-performing property while the industry itself struggles mightily. In this case, retail density is a GOOD thing.

I'd love to see PSM respond to OAK by building on surface parking with some density at the closest corner to OAK that visually connects the developments together in a walkable area. Even if it's just a parking garage wrapped with some retail.

Generally, I've always wanted to see a mall, any mall (or Lloyd Noble Center), build mixed use developments on the surface parking (I'll accept the parking garages built in) around malls to turn them into a walkable communities... which was the original plan for malls.

I wonder if OAK may also encourage PS to look at adding a high-density housing component on unused parts of the property?

I'd love to see PSM respond to OAK by building on surface parking with some density at the closest corner to OAK that visually connects the developments together in a walkable area. Even if it's just a parking garage wrapped with some retail.

Generally, I've always wanted to see a mall, any mall (or Lloyd Noble Center), build mixed use developments on the surface parking (I'll accept the parking garages built in) around malls to turn them into a walkable communities... which was the original plan for malls.

Simon has done that with dozens of their malls since 2000 However, PSM has gotten minimal investment from Simon (aside from a new entrance or 2), so it would be great if they finally invested in PSM, but I won't be holding my breath.

I think our best case scenario for building on the SW corner is PSM is someone coming in to buy it and develop it and PSM using that money to build a larger parking garage.

I am pretty excited to have Williams Sonoma back in the city! I tend to prefer it over Sur la Table.

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All without public handouts. Imagine that. Looks great!

Tommy Bahama has filed its building permit. Note the accordion windows that create a large indoor/outdoor patio space. The restaurant and store will be connected via an interior doorway.

Oak is aiming to open in September of 2024. They have a bunch more tenants they should be announcing soon.

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So I am guessing this is like the other Tommy Bahama restaurants that have clothing in the front then a restaurant in the back. I remember the coconut shrimp being really good.

So I am guessing this is like the other Tommy Bahama restaurants that have clothing in the front then a restaurant in the back. I remember the coconut shrimp being really good.

This looks side by side doesn't it?