Once denied demolition by the Downtown Design Review Committee, Midtown Renaissance is once again seeking demolition of a board-up apartment building but this time have included conceptual plans for a new apartment complex that will take its place.

The new development would be called Memory Lane and consist of 17 units and 22 parking spaces -- half covered -- just north of Emerson School and south of Saint Anthony Hospital, in an area that is seeing a housing boom, mainly in contemporary single-family homes.

Architect for the project is Brian Fitzsimmons.

The committee will consider the demolition in its meeting on Thursday, January 21st.



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More positive infill for that area. I like it.

What's the condition of the building?

Hard to say.

MidtownR saying it's in terrible shape but of course worse structures have been saved.

BTW, the views from here will be awesome.

Property sits up nice and high.

Anybody know the history of the building?

Built in 1925 and had 2 units.

City staff has recommended approval of the demolition.

The blurb of this on the main page uses the term "SoSA".

I suppose it's inevitable that every up and coming city have a "LoDo" or "LoHi"...

If so, what other abbreviations have I missed?

BTW, this was the one example I know of where the DDRC actually denied demolition.

And really, that wasn't even true... They just continued the request several times and the applicant ultimately just withdrew their request.

Do you know if the name has any particular significance?

Do you know if the name has any particular significance?

Great question! I was wondering the same thing. Memory Lane Apartments? Sounds cool anyway. I know there's a (real) Memory Lane off NW 50th street between Portland and Meridian. This project looks very nice.

From Steve's article.


Chris Fleming, with Midtown Renaissance Group, said the apartment building, boarded up for years, is in worse condition.

“The ice storm dropped branches on the roof, and the building has been hit by earthquakes,” Fleming said. “It's not safe to go in there now.”

A staff report by the Oklahoma City Planning Department recommends approval following a review of economic feasibility of redevelopment. A report to the Downtown Design Review Committee, which will hear the case Thursday, indicates the building is structurally unsound, has black mold, rats and other infestation. The basement is filled with water and the rooms are filled with waste and debris left by vagrants.

It's in a bad location. Surrounded by empty lots, not on a corner, etc. Maybe it can be moved? It's not a bad old bldg. I like the distinctive style of this project though. Obviously MidtownR knows its stuff.

It's in a bad location. Surrounded by empty lots, not on a corner, etc. Maybe it can be moved? It's not a bad old bldg. I like the distinctive style of this project though. Obviously MidtownR knows its stuff.

I would think that moving a structurally unsound building is unlikely. It would probably be less expensive to build an identical building elsewhere. It's not a bad looking building but I think the new construction outweighs trying to keep it in this instance.

The blurb of this on the main page uses the term "SoSA".

I suppose it's inevitable that every up and coming city have a "LoDo" or "LoHi"...

If so, what other abbreviations have I missed?

Enough that South Park mocked it viciously all season.

http://youtu.be/miXMWJyOdgw
http://youtu.be/r7Dtn5_F3Us
So(outh)Do(wntown)So(outh)Pa(rk)
Later there's the CtPa Town (sh*ty part of town)

Built in 1925 and had 2 units.

City staff has recommended approval of the demolition.

In was a quadraplex. Structurally it could be salvaged, but it would need a total gut. It is an old flop house called memory lane.

This is one of those situations where a landlord buys a property, completely neglects it, then eventually it's 'unsound'.

When MidtownR bought the building in 2012, it was occupied and had been for a while.

They subsequently boarded it up, attempted to get demolition approval which was not forthcoming, let it rot for a few years, and now claims it's beyond saving.

Something very wrong with this entire process. This was the condition of the building when they bought it:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/memory8.jpg

^^^^^^^
Completely agree. First of all, no way is the building beyond saving. Recall that these are the same guys who did the Marion, which was in roughly 1000x worse shape. They proved this statement wrong before they even made it. Second, if it is tougher to rehab now than it was a mere three years ago, that is a man-made condition (SELF-made, to be more precise), probably intentional. I have tremendous respect for these guys, but that excuse is disingenuous.

That said, the new development is clearly higher and better use, and totally justifies the demo request. The fact that there is pretty much zero surviving historic fabric remaining around it also makes the ask more compelling. I say this as a pretty outspoken HP advocate. I wish they would pitch the demo based on the obvious merits of the overall project rather than falling back on the "beyond saving" excuse. I love the project; just hate the way the demo is being sold.

Do you know if the name has any particular significance?

probably my age, but my first thought was "senior housing" :)

^^^^^
That would actually be the NO Memory Lane. The letters on the side would be C - R - S.

^^^^^
That would actually be the NO Memory Lane. The letters on the side would be C - R - S.

That's terrible! (but made me laugh)

"Hit by earthquakes" -- first time I've heard that used for justification of demoing older buildings. I guess we should plan on hearing it a lot now. I highly doubt a few (even a lot) of 4.0s 30+ miles away have done much damage to this building.

I want those big ol' trees saved as much as I would like to see the building saved! But they're probably gonners too.

At what point to developers stop providing 2 parking spaces for every unit? Parking is NOT required by code in this area, so it's entirely up to the developer (and possibly the lender).

At what point to developers stop providing 2 parking spaces for every unit? Parking is NOT required by code in this area, so it's entirely up to the developer (and possibly the lender).



I guess this project. (Actually lots of earlier projects). 17 units. 22 parking spaces. Less than 1.3 spaces per unit

^^^^^
I think you meant to quote the post by cafeboeuf.

Is it true that this magnificent building was the temporary home of the state legislature near the beginning of the 20th century?

Guys I didn't say it should be kept. I just suggested that IF it's feasible, moving it might be a valuable opportunity. It needs to occupy a small lot and not a huge lot where it is neither framing the corner, centered, or can be built around. I think the perfect site to move it to would be Classen and 18th where those old rowhouses burned down.

I honestly do also believe that we will legitimately lose some building stock to this earthquake trend as it continues.


"Hit by earthquakes" -- first time I've heard that used for justification of demoing older buildings. I guess we should plan on hearing it a lot now. I highly doubt a few (even a lot) of 4.0s 30+ miles away have dmuch damage to this building.

So I expect to see a demo permit for half Edmond coming soon...

Enough that South Park mocked it viciously all season.

http://youtu.be/miXMWJyOdgw
http://youtu.be/r7Dtn5_F3Us
So(outh)Do(wntown)So(outh)Pa(rk)
Later there's the CtPa Town (sh*ty part of town)

Oh I saw the SP episode. I was asking if OKC was somehow going to adopt the naming scheme...

Deep Deuce - DeDu?
Midtown = MiTo?
Capitol Hill = CaHi?

Does this need to be in every SoSA thread...

Is it true that this magnificent building was the temporary home of the state legislature near the beginning of the 20th century?

I don't know, cool story if it is, but this building is hardly "magnificent."

It was also built in 1925.

At what point to developers stop providing 2 parking spaces for every unit? Parking is NOT required by code in this area, so it's entirely up to the developer (and possibly the lender).

When the developer is confident they can sell the units without providing parking.

I don't know, cool story if it is, but this building is hardly "magnificent."

It's a dig toward preservationists. SandRidge tore down the India Temple, which was the temporary State Capitol while 23rd/Lincoln was u/c, and the bldg was perfectly in-tact beneath a concrete covering. We now have the long-overdue Couch Park on that site. Coming soon!

Didn't see Popsy's cute little dig because I put him on my ignore list years ago. I guess making fun of lost landmarks is going to become the refrain of the pro-demolition contingent's vendetta to embarrass preservationists in every thread (what else is OKC Talk for, I guess?).

I guess this project. (Actually lots of earlier projects). 17 units. 22 parking spaces. Less than 1.3 spaces per unit

My bad - I skimmed the top too quickly and only counted 11 units.

Damn. That is going to be an ugly complex.

Honestly, I think the new complex is quirky and modern. I like the design, though the coloration does have a very "autumn" color feel reminiscent of the 70's that I feel pretty ambivalent about.

The design is still somewhat rough and conceptual.

I've really liked everything Brian Fitzsimmons has done so I trust this will be another great and interesting design.

I like the infill, and the design fits well with the style that SoSA is becoming known for.

I do wish they could come up with a way to incorporate the existing building though.

This is one of those situations where a landlord buys a property, completely neglects it, then eventually it's 'unsound'.

When MidtownR bought the building in 2012, it was occupied and had been for a while.

The subsequently boarded it up, attempted to get demolition approval which was not forthcoming, let it rot for a few years, and now claims it's beyond saving.

Something very wrong with this entire process. This was the condition of the building when they bought it:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/memory8.jpg

Pete, Your picture answered one question - why the name? "Memory Lane Apartments" is the name of the current building.

This is one of those situations where a landlord buys a property, completely neglects it, then eventually it's 'unsound'.

When MidtownR bought the building in 2012, it was occupied and had been for a while.

The subsequently boarded it up, attempted to get demolition approval which was not forthcoming, let it rot for a few years, and now claims it's beyond saving.

Something very wrong with this entire process. This was the condition of the building when they bought it:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/memory8.jpg

I have a hard time believing it could go from that to unsalvageable in only four years. These old fourplexes and eight plexes have a lot of charm when restored. It will be sad to see it go.

I don't like that they are demolishing the current building and naming the new structure after it. There is nothing "Memory Lane" at all about the new, modern structure.

I have a hard time believing it could go from that to unsalvageable in only four years. These old fourplexes and eight plexes have a lot of charm when restored. It will be sad to see it go.

I don't like that they are demolishing the current building and naming the new structure after it. There is nothing "Memory Lane" at all about the new, modern structure.

It was owner occupied. Well he rented out the other apartments.

How about they renovate the current structure and build the new one around it? ;)

I think it's cool, but wouldn't be surprised if it changes a lot. I tend to err on the side of bold/unique designs, and it's not that big of a project (amt of risk), so hopefully they stick with it.

Throw your bodies on the gears to save this old building guys!

Contemptuous, trolling posts really don't help elevate the conversation here.

Throw your bodies on the gears to save this old building guys!

Who are you talking to?

Took this today:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/memory012316.jpg

Just took this...

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/memory040716.jpg

Well, judging by those two trees, the existing building has been scrapped from the plans. Are they going to expand westard and fill the gap?

Trees are now gone:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/memory040816.jpg

Well, judging by those two trees, the existing building has been scrapped from the plans. Are they going to expand westard and fill the gap?

To clarify, the demolished building was always intended to come down. The "existing 3-story building" shown on the diagram is actually an existing new-build and is not a part of this development.

In regards to filling the gap, I remember reading that the 3-story building was built with the anticipation of a new structure flanking it to the east; between Memory Lane apartments and itself.

Oh cool! Thanks for the clarification!

The Midtown Renaissance group – developers of Fassler Hall, the Guardian, the Marion Hotel and scores of other high-quality projects – have submitted detailed plans for a 22-unit apartment complex at 509 NW 7th.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/memorynew1.jpg


The 3-story, 18,918 square foot project designed by Fitzsimmons Architects will also include a courtyard, sidewalks, covered parking and new parking spaces on the north side of NW 7th.

Architectural metal panels will cover the facade.

Midtown Renaissance recently demolished a historic 4-plex called Memory Lane and the new development will feature the same name. Conceptual plans had been previously shared, but the designs shown here have been submitted to the Downtown Design Review Committee for formal review and approval.

The committee will consider the project at its July 21st meeting.



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Looks much better. I'm going to be happy once all these empty lots are filled up and developers are forced to go up to 8-10 floors for these developments instead of 3 or 4.

8-10 is too high for me. I actually prefer the 4-5 story developments and I think there's some evidence that that is a better height for walkable neighborhoods. Besides, there are an incredible number of lots remaining that I don't see them all getting developed for a very long time. Just drive south Classen and look around at how many undeveloped lots exist. Anyway, I agree that it's really exciting to see the core densify. :)

They just filed a $3 million building permit, so we should see some action on-site in a month or two.

8-10 stories is ideal if an area is aiming to have/support a strong commercial fabric and any sort of dense office component. 4/5 stories is generally either residential or commercial/office.

In the long run, I really think the majority of the building stock in "South Midtown" (especially buildings built to the corner) should be between 6 and 10 stories high between 8th/Dewey/4th/Broadway (Broadway frontage excluded as that's technically AutoAlley). "South Midtown" needs to be able to provide interaction between the following areas: Auto Alley, "North Midtown", CBD, Arts district, SOSA.

Comparing Ideal "South Midtown" @~16 blocks (not counting memorial/fed building) with Deep Deuce @~16 block

Housing/Hotel

Deep Deuce: Currently has 938 for lease units and 336 for sale units for a total of 1,274 proposed and built. 130 Hotel rooms
South Midtown: Shoot for close to 3,500 living units (remember the Regency sits at north of 20 stories and has less than 300 units). 100-200 hotel rooms.

Retail/Restaurant

Deep Deuce: 30-40 units planned/proposed
South Midtown: 40-60 units

Office

Deep Deuce: Hardly any...there's maybe, what, 50k square feet?
South Midtown: 1.5M-3M sf

Parking

Deep Deuce: I have no idea, probably like 1,700 spaces currently between garage and surface
South Midtown: 1,500 - 4,000 spaces (It depends so much on timing)

My personal opinion: If The CBD between 4th and Sheridan is ever going to be active outside of business hours, then South Midtown has to be a successful high-density mixed-use district with a lot of residents (at least 5,000), because the CBD is skewed so far toward office. The proximity of a district that shares the office identity while still being retail and residentially oriented would go a long way to creating greater traffic south from Midtown to MAPSville. If someone wanted to go to MBG from 6th and Hudson, they'd likely just walk instead of drive or take the street car. But few people will walk from 10th and Walker to MBG, especially if the area between has little to no activity.

This project was approved by the DDRC.

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