http://www.okctalk.com/content/111-major-renovation-bring-housing.html

The Hunzicker Building -- a key and highly visible part of Bricktown -- will soon receive a major renovation and be rechristened the Jim Brewer Building, in honor of the man that was one of the founding fathers of the urban district.

Brewer's sons, Brent and Brett, now own the property and plan to convert the long-vacant two upper floors to residential units with balconies on the 3rd level facing the canal.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer9.jpg

The ground floor will get a major face lift as well, including the area facing the alley which will be converted from a tatty jumble to new storefronts, decks and roll-up doors.

The entire building will get new windows along with a huge electronic sign on the roof and a new blade sign on the east side. The existing Hunzicker Brothers and Pittsburgh Plate Glass signs will be repainted to depict the new name.

Existing tenants Norm's Dockside Bar, Knuck's Wheelhouse, Red Dirt Emporium and BMH are expected to remain and be joined by new retail and office tenants at ground and canal level.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer11.jpg

The project actually encompasses two separate buildings at 101 and 103 E. California. Each has approximately 23,400 square feet on three floors plus a basement at canal level.

The Bricktown Urban Design Committee will consider the plans in its March 11th meeting.




http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer2.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer4.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer6.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer3.jpg

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Awesome sauce.

Everything looks great minus the electronic sign on top of the building.

They will be seeking separate approval for all the signage; the meeting on 3/11 will only consider the building renovations.

Love it, love it, love it! Including the sign!

That alley has been a bad eyesore for too long.

Immediately north with be the new Canopy Hotel and I'm sure the developers will be happy to see the improvements.


There are ton of projects in process right now in Bricktown, both large and small.

More coming, too.

Would love to live there. Noise might be an issue with all the partying and late-night crowds. I like it though.

There are ton of projects in process right now in Bricktown, both large and small.

More coming, too.

Great to hear!

Despite all of the development in other districts like Midtown, Bricktown is still OKC's showcase district. If a visitor is coming in from out of town and you want to impress them, unless it happens to be H&8th night, you go to Bricktown. It will be so awesome to see it polished up and finally become what it always had the potential to be. Hopefully this is just the beginning of improvements to canal-fronting properties.

The only other living units on the canal are at the Centennial, which is the most successful condo project ever in OKC.

Apartments and condos could bring a lot of life to the canal. I really wish we'd get a hotel on the water as well (besides the Residence Inn which sits far back).

Apartments and condos could bring a lot of life to the canal. I really wish we'd get a hotel on the water as well (besides the Residence Inn which sits far back).

This as well as the tunnel through the Santa Fe station. That will make the canal a lot more attractive to businesses than it has been because of accessibility. I always thought there was no better place for a quality canal-front hotel than where the Mini-Golf course is going.

Will the residential be for lease or for sale?

I believe they will be apartments.

Awesome!

cool project, but they shouldn't change the original windows on the top floor.

I think that they should tone the painted sign down a notch. Fade it a little to make it a ghost sign. It's too vibrant to have a recent figure's name.

On the other hand, I admire the hell out of the way the two brothers are trying to honor their dad's legacy.. cool stuff.

I love it! Love the new sign too!!!! I've seeing some new large electronic signs come downtown. This will be cool.

Definitely a cool project overall, but the electric sign and the paint should be re-thought. No need to take away any of the character of the old paint patina, that's a classic piece of Bricktown right there. The sign is just obnoxious and would be anywhere.

I love it! Love the new sign too!!!! I've seeing some new large electronic signs come downtown. This will be cool.

You mean the blade sign, right? I think we all agree that is great. The cursive Jim is cool, too.

You mean the blade sign, right? I think we all agree that is great. The cursive Jim is cool, too.I like the electronic rooftop sign as well. One thing I don't like, is how they are removing some of the other signs that have been on that building for a long time. It makes the building feel more 'authentic' and adds to the charm of the canal.

I like the electronic rooftop sign as well. One thing I don't like, is how they are removing some of the other signs that have been on that building for a long time. It makes the building feel more 'authentic' and adds to the charm of the canal.

I was thinking that too, but then when you look at how they're bringing the two together, if you maintain the two different signs, it splits it back up again. At least they're maintaining the same white on black look. If that's the lost element in getting this project, i'll take it LOL :)

Why can't the painted sign fade organically like the signs painted on before them? Its in the same style & colors as the old ones from when Bricktown was a warehouse district. Hopefully Bricktown is alive 50+ years from now & by then the sign will be faded, no need for a faux faded sign. In fact that would be super corny IMO.

Love the electronic sign, any light illuminating a night time district is a A+ addition.

Why can't the painted sign fade organically like the signs painted on before them? Its in the same style & colors as the old ones from when Bricktown was a warehouse district. Hopefully Bricktown is alive 50+ years from now & by then the sign will be faded, no need for a faux faded sign. In fact that would be super corny IMO.

I agree. Also, if the entire buidling is being revamped and brought back to it's original appearance, minus any new additions, shouldn't the sign be done the same? I like the idea of it being bold and then fading over time much like the original signage that is present now.

I like the electronic and blade signs btw. Cool points.

cool project, but they shouldn't change the original windows on the top floor.

Why?

The building, if I recall correctly, is from 1950/1955, which is past the period of significance for the original warehouses. The overall character of a red brick warehouse remains, in my opinion.

Yes, both buildings were built in 1950.

So what exactly will be on the sign on the roof?

So what exactly will be on the sign on the roof?

Lol do you seriously have to ask? I'm guessing 90% advertisements, but hopefully most of those will be for bricktown/downtown establishments & events.

Oh, Bricktown, you just keep on giving...

Fabulous development in a busy part of the district. Hope this goes through without hassle.
Electronic sign *might* be a little tacky and may not contrast well, but on the whole, I'd rather not lose this entire project over it.
On the whole though, I hope this stays true and brings in housing, retail, and more restaurants/bars all in one.

Electronic sign *might* be a little tacky.

It is definitely tacky. Surprised so many here like it.

I love this in all regards but one. Why is it necessary to paint the word "Building" on the building? It doesn't currently say "Hunzicker Brothers Building". Why can't it just say "Jim Brewer" just like "Miller Jackson [Co]"?

so glad to see this project. It is much needed and will give good life to the area. I would rethink the sign painted on the building and leave the other signs up. perhaps a palque on the outside of the building to honor Jim Brewer and naming it the Jim Brewer building there with part of his legacy would be more appropriate.

Technically there's already a paver with Jim Brewer's likeness on it at the canal level near the building.

It is definitely tacky. Surprised so many here like it.

That surprises me as well. What is it with the Brewers and electronic billboards? They even put them in the Santa Fe Station parking lot. That sign on the roof is a big no-go and I am pretty sure it will get rejected. Everything else looks good.

It is definitely tacky. Surprised so many here like it.

I'm with you on the sign. I hope they nix it.

February 14 2015

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/15975417573_65937144eb_b.jpg

Weird development...

Bricktown Music Hall (BMH) has put itself up for sale per their Facebook page.

Timing seems odd with the recently announced renovation and all the positive momentum in Bricktown. Perhaps they see this as a good time to try and cash out.

https://scontent-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11002628_408493569323649_5909054725490478028_n.jpg ?oh=f6ec5ff28ddd6e38847ee127888347a0&oe=55797921

Maybe they know something we don't about the Criterion and aren't able or willing to compete?

No, it's just not a great fit for their portfolio and interests/strengths as operators. They'd rather put 100% of their time and energy into growing business at the more immediately lucrative Captain Norm's - which is much more in their comfort zone - provided they find the right deal on BMH. That BMH space will be great for the right operator.

Bricktown design review committee continued this project today.

Just want a few more details fleshed out.

The roof-top sign would come under a separate application.

Bricktown Urban Design Committee approved this project today. The huge electronic sign will be reviewed separately, if they decide to pursue it.

The huge electronic sign has been submitted for design review.

The Planning Department is recommending it be denied.

In the application, it said it would feature parking information and rates (the Brewers own several surrounding surface lots) and Bricktown even info.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer2.jpg

I really hope it gets denied. Really out of place.

This is one of my favorite projects in Bricktown right now, but it won't hurt my feelings if the screen doesn't happen, especially if all its going to be used for is parking rates.

Love the project.. hate the sign. perhaps they should follow the PLOW by adding a water tower signage instead.

I'd say it would be pretty naive to think that this will just display parking info and bricktown info. Im sure once its approved we would see paid advertisements on it within quick time.

That said, I really dont care if its allowed. I mean, it is bricktown. This is the area that a digital billboard would make the most sense and be the least of a nuisance.

In the application, it said it would feature parking information and rates (the Brewers own several surrounding surface lots) and Bricktown even info.

Do you think it will also feature information about all the free parking available two blocks away? ; )

Signage being changed; new windows coming soon; from https://twitter.com/BricktownOKC:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLgguvtUcAA0weC.jpg:large

Signage just about complete now:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brewer092415.jpg

What's going in in that corner spot where the frozen yogurt store used to be?

The 'J I M' in the signage looks a little spread to me ?

I think it's an optical illusion because of the 'I'. If you look at individual spacing, it looks consistent.

I think it's an optical illusion because of the 'I'. If you look at individual spacing, it looks consistent.

I think you're right.

Did Orange Leaf just not do well in that location? Every time I stopped in, there were other people, but maybe not enough?

It was Peachwave, and the seasonal appeal of their product - combined with the seasonality of Bricktown - did them in. I alway thought if they had given coffee an honest effort and been able to stick it out a couple more years (as off-season traffic was already picking up and continues to increase) they would have eventually thrived.

It was an owner-operator situation though, and I think they just didn't have pockets deep enough to weather the weather.

It was Peachwave, and the seasonal appeal of their product - combined with the seasonality of Bricktown - did them in. I alway thought if they had given coffee an honest effort and been able to stick it out a couple more years (as off-season traffic was already picking up and continues to increase) they would have eventually thrived.

It was an owner-operator situation though, and I think they just didn't have pockets deep enough to weather the weather.

Peachwave, that's it. Thanks for the insight.

NP, you're welcome.

Way back when it closed I tweeted that Orange Leaf should have taken advantage of the opportunity but whoever was running the Bricktown twitter at the time said there was another tenant lined up yet I've seen nothing happen... any clues anybody?

Depends on which Twitter account you are talking about. If it is @BricktownOKC, that profile is run by Brewer Entertainment, who obviously owns this building. They would of course have inside knowledge, though deals can also dry up, even when they seem sure.

can't remember, but it's been quite awhile so probably dried up

Installing new windows (from https://twitter.com/BricktownOKC):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQkiJpCUYAELAOd.jpg:large

Any new updates? Has anyone seen the prices for the residential spaces?