Plans have been submitted for a retail / commercial building in the Plaza District.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1804nw16new3.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1804nw16new4.jpg

Developer Jeff Struble is proposing a 2-story structure on a vacant lot next to Chiltepes restaurant on the western edge of the district at 1802 NW 16th.

Plans show retail or restaurant space on the first floor and retail or office space on the second. There would also be paved 'community space' in the rear.

The Plaza has seen most of its main structures renovated over the 10 years. This, along with the proposed housing and retail project at 16th & McKinley (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=NW+16th+and+McKinley), would be the first new construction in the booming area in quite a while.


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

The building would be 4,796 square feet with a brick and clay tile main fascia.

Struble has long been one of the leaders of the Plaza Renaissance, having purchased and renovated many structures, including the building that houses The Mule restaurant. Struble is also a past president of the Plaza Board of Directors.

Plans for this new project will be reviewed at the December 16th meeting of the Urban Design Commission.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/struble2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/struble3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1804nw16new1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1804nw16new2.jpg

Can't wait to see what about this will piss off the locals.

Well, the project seems fine, but the pessimism is kind of annoying.

Jeff Struble is pretty much the father of the Plaza District and has done a lot of projects in that area -- he also owns a construction company.

He's built a lot of good will and strong relationships in the area and I'm sure he'll meet with all the stakeholders and homeowners if he hasn't already done so.

Looks good to me!

It's kind of ugly, but could just be a bad render. Horizontally integrated guys tend to "do," rather than waste time on pretty renderings. Is there actually a tile roof and tear drop widow awnings? Hmm :/

The bottom line for new development in the Plaza is that this very important district is just out of space. It's as simple as that, and for now, the district has been prematurely "finished" by this fact. Indiana Center will get absorbed the day it opens. Plaza is something that needs a steady stream of new businesses because that's what it's known for and why people go there.

I like it...not my money so if someone else wants to take a chance, sounds good to me.

It would be cool if artists and entrepreneurs started buying houses along 16th street all the way to Classen for various businesses, restaurants, and bars. I'm sure there'd have to be some kind of zoning change or something, but that is a possible way the district could expand. Or maybe that's unrealistic.

It would be cool if artists and entrepreneurs started buying houses along 16th street all the way to Classen for various businesses, restaurants, and bars. I'm sure there'd have to be some kind of zoning change or something, but that is a possible way the district could expand. Or maybe that's unrealistic.

Something like a Rainey St. in Austin would be awesome with a more diversified group of businsesses. I'm not sure if the lots are big enough though, and they would certainly need a zoning change. I like the idea.... all leading up to whatever they end up developing on the old Herman's property.

It would be cool if artists and entrepreneurs started buying houses along 16th street all the way to Classen for various businesses, restaurants, and bars. I'm sure there'd have to be some kind of zoning change or something, but that is a possible way the district could expand. Or maybe that's unrealistic.

I've said many times in the Plaza thread that I felt Nob Hill in Portland should be the neighborhood that Plaza should model itself after. I think that the houses that front 16th between the Plaza commercial district and Classen should become shops, restaurants, offices and even a few of them B&Bs. The problem now is that values have shot through the roof, and I'm not sure it makes economic sense on a case by case basis to convert them as such.

http://www.portlandoctopus.com/wp-content/uploads/nob-hill/rugshop1.jpg

http://www.yourroadmaptohome.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1Nob-Hill-Boutiques-758594.jpg

I don't know if the housing stock is wholly dense and interesting enough to make that work, but where it is we should preserve that. I think it will happen organically. I bet something like 23rd Street Courts will be done along 16th. I think it would be cool to add modern connecting pieces (like the Guernsey restaurant behind Cuppies and Joes) or shipping containers, etc.

I don't know if the housing stock is wholly dense and interesting enough to make that work, but where it is we should preserve that. I think it will happen organically. I bet something like 23rd Street Courts will be done along 16th. I think it would be cool to add modern connecting pieces (like the Guernsey restaurant behind Cuppies and Joes) or shipping containers, etc.

It's definitely interesting enough. Many of the houses look very similar to those in that picture. It's not quite as dense due to the presence of driveways and setback from 16th St., but I think it could probably work if they utilized the front yard space for several of the houses.

The houses closer to Classen seem better for that kind of development but there are plenty of open lots for infill projects along 16th.

Regardless of how, we 100% have to figure out how to "commercialize" 16th Street for the 5ish blocks between Classen and Blackwelder. If that area remains predominantly residential for the next 10-15 years, the Plaza will lose major ground on other Urban districts as time passes by.

It's definitely interesting enough. Many of the houses look very similar to those in that picture. It's not quite as dense due to the presence of driveways and setback from 16th St., but I think it could probably work if they utilized the front yard space for several of the houses.

The driveways/setbacks/yards are what I'm thinking of though... Tough to overcome that.

The driveways/setbacks/yards are what I'm thinking of though... Tough to overcome that.

Totally agree with this. Would be really tough to create a sense of place on 16th street with the set up. Not to mention there are plenty of houses receiving investment to where I don't think you could create commercial fabric on 16th street east of Plaza. Now, I think west of Plaza the housing stock is primed for tear down or some kind of reuse.

This building needs to be at least 50 floors or they shouldn't build it.

Totally agree with this. Would be really tough to create a sense of place on 16th street with the set up. Not to mention there are plenty of houses receiving investment to where I don't think you could create commercial fabric on 16th street east of Plaza. Now, I think west of Plaza the housing stock is primed for tear down or some kind of reuse.

Maybe the yards could be used as an asset in some way. For example, all the retailers could agree to bring products to their lawns (like a yard sale) on afternoons when temperatures are above 60 degrees. Just trying to think outside the box...

If they're restaurants/bars, the areas work great as patios.

And not every single house needs to stay. Keep some, raze some judiciously. Just make sure enough lots are assembled to increase density along the corridor slowly but surely: SE corner of 16th and College, for example, would be a great place to raze and build new.

The setbacks on 16th are more narrow than people seem to think. About 15' to 18'. Install a 4'-6' curbside ribbon of grass with good street trees and great a 10' sidewalk and you're at the front porch.

Added several new renderings to the article at the top of the page.

This project is awesome.

Anything new on this?

Any news?

I believe they are waiting on their building permit to be issued.

That's good to hear. I assume those other two residential buildings are under construction?

That's good to hear. I assume those other two residential buildings are under construction?

Not yet.

Very soon.

Super cool! I'm coming up sometime between 22-27 for a few days to visit family before my schools starts and I'm excited to see the changes even since December!

http://journalrecord.com/2016/06/13/plaza-plans-strubles-work-to-develop-buildings-on-either-end-of-district-real-estate/

Plaza plans: Strubles work to develop buildings on either end of district

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record June 13, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – In less than a month, 84 Hospitality Group will open its newest restaurant in the Plaza District, Goro Ramen + Izakaya.

Former chef and co-owner of Kaiteki Ramen Jeff Chanchaleune will be in the kitchen. The hospitality company also owns Empire Slice House and has started construction at NW Sixth Street and N. Classen Boulevard, the future home of Revolucion Taqueria and Cantina.

CEO Rachel Cope said Goro, at 1634 NW 16th St., will welcome its first guests June 27. It will tweak the menu over the weekend, and then will open July 5.

Developer Aimee Struble said the initial renovation of the 1960s-era building finishes this week, with tenant build-out like 84 Hospitality’s to follow. She is working on the project with her husband, Jeff Struble.

The 4,400-square-foot building has a yellow exterior, creating a bright entrance to the district. Goro will be on the first floor, and 84 Hospitality Group’s office on the second, with another 1,100 square feet available for lease.

Struble said some people didn’t realize there was a separate building east of The Mule. But the new paint has helped attract more eyes.

She said she expects to get more interest in the available office space once the renovation is complete.

“It’s hard to see what the end result will be,” she said. “We have a few showings with some tenants that are looking to expand and need more room.”

Once the 1634 project wraps, the Strubles will break ground on a building at 1804 NW 16th St., at the district’s west end, across from Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy.

It will be the first new, ground-up construction project in the district since 1962 when the Family Neighborhood Store at 1716 NW 16th St. was built, according to county records. Other properties along the street date back to the 1920s.

The planned 4,800-square-foot building doesn’t have any tenants yet. Aimee Struble said they had some interested people, but those businesses had to be in a new spot earlier than the building’s completion in October.

“When things start coming out of the ground, and people start to see it, we’ll get a lot more interest,” she said.

The building will have two 2,400-square-foot floor plates that can each be divided into two 1,200-square-foot spaces. Small spaces have been successful in the district, with developers Aimee Ahpeatone and Steven Mason turning the 10,000-square-foot Plaza Discount store into nine spaces, ranging in size from 961 to 2,200 square feet.

“To finish out the end of the district with a new building is exciting,” she said. “Also, we don’t have any more space in the district, so adding more space for new concepts is exciting, too.”

Struble said they hope to fill the first floor with traditional retail.

Cope said she doesn’t have plans for another restaurant in the district.

“I feel like we’re hogging all the spaces,” she said. “And I definitely don’t want to feel that way. We’re thankful to have the spaces we have, but for now, I think that’s it.”

Some movement here:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/16th082816.jpg

Building permit pulled for $285,000 for this property.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plaza120516.jpg

Any progress on this?

No.

Went by a couple of days ago to take photos and noticed nothing but weeds and a fence.

Nothing has happened here in month.

Damn. I don't know why but I really liked this project. Hopefully something will happen with this soon.

Damn. I don't know why but I really liked this project. Hopefully something will happen with this soon.

The same owner /developer is behind Aurora which just opened and has some other Plaza irons in the fire and it could be a simple case of just having to take things a bit more slowly.

Any word on retail tenants for the new development east of Plaza, near the 16th and McKinley intersection?

Any word on retail tenants for the new development east of Plaza, near the 16th and McKinley intersection?

Ben Sellers said he is close to signing a tenant and that it wold be a retail use, not a restaurant.

Drove by this morning and noticed they have started on this. The entire east cinder block wall is up.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plaza012018.jpg

Glad to see they are saving that tree

I am too!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/struble041018.jpg

This will probably be one of the most structurally-sound buildings built in OKC in a while.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/struble050318.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=497-Empire-Slice-House-set-to-move-to-new-expanded-Plaza-location

too bad it can't look like the original rendering. ....

Is this location much bigger than their current digs?

Is this location much bigger than their current digs?

It is bigger with more seats, but not substantially so.

The main issue was the kitchen. They literally have zero prep space and room for only 2 ovens. Most the additional space is in the kitchen area and they'll be doubling the number of pizza ovens.

For me, I'll be excited to see a real bar go in. I've never really cared for the current setup which is small and cramped.

I wonder how this will affect Oak and Oar? I can imagine quite a bit of Oak and Oar's business comes from people waiting for seats at Empire.

I wonder how this will affect Oak and Oar? I can imagine quite a bit of Oak and Oar's business comes from people waiting for seats at Empire.

I was thinking this too, but I think Oak and Oar should be fine. They seem to finally have hit their stride, though it took a while. It'll be interesting to see what goes in Empire's place. I'm sure they're thinking of what would complement the surrounding tenants.

what is the cost estimate or budget for this building?