And in fairness to Midtown Renaissance, they have done a ton of small things along Walker recently, such as adding the additional retail in Plaza Court (Insomnia Cookies, etc.), added the new patio at Stella, converted the old Meg Guess space to three different commercial tenants, even adding the patio for McNellies.

However, they still own a bunch of very big holes in Midtown and even if they continued on their aggressive pace it would be a long time before most of it was built-out. Therefore, this slowdown along with abandoning the car dealerships and sitting on the key downtown parcel has me concerned that we are going to have those scars for longer than I or most people would like.


And as far as their residential, it seems for the first time in the many years they have brought new units on the market, they actually have a bit of vacancy as you see 1-2 units available in many of their projects.

At the same time, they are charging at the very high end of the rental spectrum and it's amazing to me they have gone this long without even needing to try to rent their units.

Perhaps I didn't shop around enough, but when I was searching for a 1 BR apartment in the downtown area MR was very competitive. I currently live in one of their buildings and for the quality of the apartment, and not having to live with 400 people, I would argue their value is much better than anything downtown. The only apartments I found cheaper of good quality were Level and Avana Arts (Still within ~$100/Mo). Deep Deuce, Lift, Edge, and Maywood were all more expensive.

Didn't mean they weren't competitive, just at the high end of the range.

It's looking like the rental market in midtown/uptown has picked up a bit in the past month. MidtownR only has 4 apartments available now(All in the Frank, which is kind of on the periphery of things): http://www.midtownr.com/vacancies/

And I've seen a bunch of other properties come off market that had lingered through the winter. With the large overhang of units in new buildings (Lift, Metropolitan) still being worked through, this looks like a good sign to me that the market will continue to push on.

I am hopeful that MidtownR will "set the bar" with something big soon.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/10th052817.jpg

There hasn't been much activity (read none) since the new windows were put in. Limited activity the few weeks prior to that as well.

^

They are trying to finalize the plans for the multi-vendor food concept and don't want to proceed until that is all set, which should be soon.

^

They are trying to finalize the plans for the multi-vendor food concept and don't want to proceed until that is all set, which should be soon.

Makes sense! I'm glad it isn't some other reason.

Things are definitely progressing and should be really cool.

I know this concept is different, but I've been at the Milwaukee Public Market this week and I'd love to see OKC with something like it. It's an incredible public spaces full of restaurants, shops, and wine bars in a very small space.

I know this concept is different, but I've been at the Milwaukee Public Market this week and I'd love to see OKC with something like it. It's an incredible public spaces full of restaurants, shops, and wine bars in a very small space.

I've been many times and love it but...

It was highly, highly infused with public subsidy.

Final plans and details revealed for Midtown food hall and 2-level bar (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=461-Final-plans-and-details-revealed-for-Midtown-food-hall-and-2-level-bar)

Work is set to start soon on The Collective at NW 10th and Harvey in Midtown, a food hall with 7 kitchens and an elaborate two level, indoor/outdoor bar.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective020118g.jpg


Developed by Vincent Le, Kayla Baker, Emily Stanley and former Oklahoma Sooner and pro golfer Anthony Kim and operated by Troung Le (no relation to Vincent) of Guernsey Park and Chick N Beer fame, plans have just been finalized and pending design approval by the city, work will start very soon with the goal of being open by the end of the year.

The former auto garage was an eyesore for years with dozens of abandoned cars at the high visible intersection across from the popular Bleu Garten food truck court.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective020118f.jpg


After several other developers failed to get their hands on the property, the current ownership group was successful and facilitated clean-up while they considered the highest and best use for the key location.

The design by Gardner Architects with significant input from Stanley shows 7 small kitchens that will each host a different food concept, as well as a large central bar on the main level, and seating on the rooftop deck. A shipping container will protect an internal stairwell.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective020118e3.jpg


Truong Le told OKCTalk they plan to be particular in choosing vendors who will each get a fully-equipped, turn-key kitchen as part of their lease.

The group plans to 'audition' operators so they can test food and also review their business plans. Le said the success of each operator is vital to all the others and the development as a whole, and the idea is to make the best possible choices from a large pool of applicants.

For example, they hope to have at least one restaurant that offers breakfast and brunch so the facility can operate almost all day, every day. Otherwise, The Collective will be open for lunch and dinner and the bar will stay open late on weekends.

The facility will also feature one more semi-separated area that will either be leased for events or be used as a nighttime lounge.

Food vendors will also be expected to maintain 4-star ratings on social media otherwise run the risk of being replaced.

Le himself will operate the bar and patrons will receive table service once they have selected a table. All the food operations will be counter service.

The bar will feature 32 taps with a wide array of local craft beers, simple cocktails and a wine selection that will include champagne.

On the second level, more seating will be provided on a seasonal basis.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective020118h.jpg


The old garage building will be expanded northward for what will be the main bar area, with 4 overhead doors that will open to a large patio.

The entire concept is similar to the wildly popular Avanti in Denver.

Building permits applications have already been filed and the group hopes to gain design approval next month.

Food vendors will also be expected to maintain 4-star ratings on social media otherwise run the risk of being replaced.

Horrible idea... Have they not seen what a train wreck Yelp and other review sites can turn into? All it takes is one idiot to start spreading some fake news and getting their friends to leave bad reviews too.

Horrible idea... Have they not seen what a train wreck Yelp and other review sites can turn into? All it takes is one idiot to start spreading some fake news and getting their friends to leave bad reviews too.

I'm sure they'll use that as a guideline... Just want vendors to maintain a certain standard and have the ability to toss them for someone better if they don't.

This is almost exactly like Avanti in Denver which they have studied closely and can use as a model.

I'm sure they'll use that as a guideline... Just want vendors to maintain a certain standard and have the ability to toss them for someone better if they don't.

This is almost exactly like Avanti in Denver which they have studied closely and can use as a model.

I was actually reading your article and thinking of Avanti before you mentioned it. If this ends up anything like that it will be a hit. It looks like this will have an even cooler layout than Avanti with the large ground floor patio so that's a good start.

What happened to the Commissary name? I really liked that.

There's a "The Collective" in Edmond that is coworking space.

http://www.thecollectiveok.com/

They're going to have to get a URL like thecollectivemidtown.com or some such thing....... always always always do a domain check before you name your business....

It's Gardner Architects, who do great work. And it looks killer.

Beyond that I see nothing to nitpick. This is not going to be cheap -- I'm sure the details will get sorted out.

No intention of knocking the quality of the work and such. I'm certain it will be fantastic.

I hope this thing gets fast tracked! This looks awesome. I love that Midtown has so much energy behind development right now. Great news!

I remember hearing Bleu Garten's lease was going to end in the coming years. Any update on how long we can expect Bleu Garten to stay at their current location? I hope that is only rumor because the Collective + Bleu Garten will make for a killer outdoor entertainment/drinking/eating center in Midtown.

I think they recently renewed for a couple more years.

Work has started:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective041318.jpg

Where are people suppose to park for this?

It's on the streetcar line. By the time it's open, you'll be able to park nearly anywhere downtown, which I'm sure played into the timing of it's acquisition.

The same place people park for everything in Midtown. The streets and lots in the area. This is literally across the street from Bleu and everyone knows you park in the streets or in the northern lots for there.

It's on the streetcar line. By the time it's open, you'll be able to park nearly anywhere downtown, which I'm sure played into the timing of it's acquisition.

I hope that's true but that seems optimistic in the short term. Time will tell.

^^^^^^^^
There are also still large swaths of surface parking nearby, some with controlled access, some not. But I would expect surface lots in this area to rapidly start transitioning to paid parking very soon. I don’t have specific information about this, but it’s the nature of this type of densification, income potential becomes too great to ignore.

They posted some pictures on FB / IG yesterday.

14594 14595 14596 14597 14598

New renderings:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective050418a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective050418b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective050418c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective050418d.jpg

This looks great. It will represent a massive improvement and draw to the area. Can’t wait to see how it ultimately turns out

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective051818a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective051818b.jpg

Love all these barrel roofed buildings!

From their FB page. Interesting opportunity for someone interested in a restaurant but not ready for a full restaurant and/or a food truck.


The Collective OKC
May 15 at 8:07pm ·
��️ CALLING ALL CHEFS ��️

Have you always dreamed of having your own restaurant?

Have a unique culinary concept that you want to launch?

Apply now for your chance to occupy one of seven fully equipped kitchens inside of The Collective.

Located in a 12,600 sq.ft. building in the heart of Midtown, across from Bleu Garten, The Collective is Oklahoma City's first food hall. Offering 7 different culinary concepts under one roof, as well as a bar and rooftop patio, The Collective aims to answer the infamous question: "Where are we going to eat?"

Full applications due June 19th. Auditions will begin July 19th.

Click here to apply: www.thecollectiveokc.com/apply/

^

Just learned that they had 80 (!) applicants.

The operators are now doing tasting auditions for those who made the second round, a group of 30.

Ultimately, 10 will be selected to occupy the kitchens in this development.


Lots is going into the decision process including the desire to have all-day alternatives, like at least one place that focuses on breakfast.

Could end up be a great incubator for full-blown restaurants in OKC, as it's really a step between a food truck and a stand-alone operation.

This is such a great idea.

I have a mutual friend that was presenting today. In addition to the food, this person had an 80+ slide presentation for them. It sounds like there are a ton of serious people applying and they are doing very thorough vetting. I'm even more excited for this.

14815

Took this yesterday. Laying concrete and working on the roof.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective080518.jpg

Those guys (and the Swansons folks) are going to need some kind of award upon completion. Such a turnaround for both properties in terms of density and higher use.

I mean that's about as close to tearing something down and starting fresh as you can get

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective122218.jpg

Erase this. Tenants are already on the website.

Cement has been poured.

15126

Erase this. Tenants are already on the website.

Yay, Vuong Nguyen is back doing his own thing!

This patio and rooftop here with Bleu across the street is going to be an incredible vibe on warm evenings.

Yay, Vuong Nguyen is back doing his own thing!

Yeah, I wanted to bust in asking if the one restaurant Pete was not mentioning was Vuong's.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective032119a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective012319a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective012319b.jpg

This is going to be awesome.

Pete, do you think this will be operational in time for the Walkabout?

I can't wait for this!

Did this stall? I haven't seen any workers in a week...

Did this stall? I haven't seen any workers in a week...

The outside is pretty close to being done. Maybe they are working on the inside?

when I've worked on projects we've had stalls due to waiting for inspectors for various parts (e.g. different inspectors for plumbing vs electrical vs fire marshall etc) or if they want something updated in the application after an inspection we had to pause while we updated that documentation and then waited for them to re-inspect.

Social media post today says work has resumed after they “hurdled some major obstacles.” They are anticipating construction being finished this month with a June opening!

The Flying Pig BBQ announced recently that they will be operating here.

The Flying Pig BBQ announced recently that they will be operating here.

Yes!

Their Instagram page shows La Colombe Coffee going in and I am a big fan. Drove by on Thursday and saw La Colombe boxes and Nitro Tap through the northwest window. La Colombe is only in NYC, Philly, Chicago and California so was wondering if it’s an actual store or if someone has been allowed to sell their products. Anyone know?

Their Instagram page shows La Colombe Coffee going in and I am a big fan. Drove by on Thursday and saw La Colombe boxes and Nitro Tap through the northwest window. La Colombe is only in NYC, Philly, Chicago and California so was wondering if it’s an actual store or if someone has been allowed to sell their products. Anyone know?

It will be offered by The Collective, not one of their kitchens. Through the central bar / drink station.

Here is a great update on The Collective from the Gazette:

https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/anticipated-opening/Content?oid=6264673

Good segue, and thanks for the info! We're looking forward to trying it out!

Early to mid July is now the target for them opening for business.

They have a lot of really interesting kitchens. I expect this whole thing to be a big hit.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/collective060819b.jpg