A group of local investors have filed plans to convert the historic 3-story apartment building at NW 38th and Classen into a boutique hotel.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bradfordhouse7.jpg


The 3-story structure was built in 1912 and was situated along the old streetcar line that ran up Classen boulevard.

Dubbed the Bradford House, plans call for new construction to the north and east of the apartment house which would allow for a total of 32 rooms.


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All parking would be valet, with some spaces on site and others at shared lots nearby.

Meetings have been held with the surrounding residents to receive feedback on the possible impact on the surrounding historic neighborhood.


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The Planning Commission was told the reception has been generally positive and the commission itself expressed their pleasure for the effort to save and preserve the historic structure.

Currently, the building includes 4 2-bed apartments in the main structure and a 1-bedroom unit above the detached garage.

There is also a large open space on the 3rd floor which was formerly a ballroom.

Final plans for the hotel will be submitted at a later date.


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Cool! I drive by this almost every day and have wanted someone to renovate for a while. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

I'm glad they are engaging nearby residents, but I'm not sure how this could be a bad thing. That strip in between Classen and Western could use some investment and this will help push it along.

It's a beautiful property and the developers will be making a big investment.

They also applied for a liquor license so I hope there will be a nice bar/restaurant that everyone could enjoy.

That would be AMAZING.

My understanding is that this would be very high-end.

Excited to see more details as the project moves along. Lots of money behind this.

I'm told that 38th street right there was once the entryway to the original OKC country club (since redeveloped as Crown Heights). That is why homes along 38th east of Classen are so much larger and nicer than other homes in the vicinity. Because it was once pretty highly sought after real estate.

Interesting!

Also, 38th is a divided street there too.

This is really a cool structure and it sounds like they are going to spend some good money making it very nice. I really hope there is a small restaurant/bar in there because it could be a pretty amazing setting.

I've always wanted to see a map showing the original OCG&CC in that Crown Heights location. After years of absorbing as much OKC historic info as I could get my hands on, I have a pretty good feel for what once existed in most places, but that has always been a big mystery for me.

This is the best I could find. A snippet from OCGCC's 100 year anniversary video:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12595&d=1463752624

Is that two-story porch on the front of the house original?

Is that two-story porch on the front of the house original?

Yes, I believe so although it may have been modified at some point.

The closed on this property a couple of weeks ago and the project seems to be moving forward.

The closed on this property a couple of weeks ago and the project seems to be moving forward.

Who does the local investor group consist of?

I was inside the lower, east end unit close to a year ago during an estate sale. Largest 100 year old apartment I have ever been in for sure. Very impressive interior space and patio. What a cool project.

Movement on marketing for this project. https://www.bradfordhouseokc.com/

Nice to see some movement on this.

They have already gutted the interior.

The old garage is now demoed and they have removed most the landscaping.

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Slow going but glad it's still moving forward

I'm really interested to see how this turns out. I'm glad something is happening with this place though.

Any update on this project?

Any update on this project?

There hasn't been any activity the last several times I've gone by, including just a few days ago.

They gutted the interior and demolished the old covered parking in the back and now nothing seems to be happening.

Rats. I'm excited about this project. Hope there aren't major issues causing delays.

This was posted on their fb and instagram yesterday.

"We’re so excited about some tweaks we’re making to design as we’re finalizing our plans. Looking forward to showing you what we’ve been up to."

https://www.facebook.com/BradfordHouseOKC/ (http://www.facebook.com/BradfordHouseOKC/)

Is this project dead? There's been no obvious movement on this property in the last six months. I go by nearly every day. The property looks more blighted with the trees gone.

Been wondering this as well. Seems like they ran out of funds and stopped.

Is this project dead? There's been no obvious movement on this property in the last six months. I go by nearly every day. The property looks more blighted with the trees gone.

It's owned by the same group that just sold the Flamingo apartments, so now that they have sold that off I'm hopping they have some capital to invest here.

It's owned by the same group that just sold the Flamingo apartments, so now that they have sold that off I'm hopping they have some capital to invest here.

Different partnership than Flamingo - sale of that had absolutely nothing to do with BH or capital issues. Last February we went through shake up on contractors and ended up hiring a new one and re-assessing some of the design. Spent the last 9 months re-working things and bringing back some design elements that hadn't made it into the first round that we wished had. Better project for it and we would prefer to get the project right before we build it. Partners are just as eager to get it going and look forward to site getting moving shortly.

Different partnership than Flamingo - sale of that had absolutely nothing to do with BH or capital issues. Last February we went through shake up on contractors and ended up hiring a new one and re-assessing some of the design. Spent the last 9 months re-working things and bringing back some design elements that hadn't made it into the first round that we wished had. Better project for it and we would prefer to get the project right before we build it. Partners are just as eager to get it going and look forward to site getting moving shortly.

Good to know and thanks for the update.

Some of the key investors overlap with the Flamingo, which was is what I should have said.

Movement is happening again!

Great!! Glad to read this!

Movement is happening again!

Movement is happening again!

Yes, I go by every day and today there was a whole crew out there.

Looks like they are starting on the outside. Apart from the demo of the old parking garage, most the work thus far had been just stripping out the interior, which seems to be done.

Just took these.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bradford032819b.jpg


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Moving fast.

The porches will be replaced with wood versions.

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As much as having large 2nd floor patios would be, the building does look a bit lighter and better without them.

As much as having large 2nd floor patios would be, the building does look a bit lighter and better without them.

The porches will be reconstructed, but out of wood and they will look far less heavy than what was there previously.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bradford060219b.jpg

Wouldn't be surprised if they needed the brick from the porches to cover various other parts of the reconstructions. This is an unbelievable labor of love because it's clear this would have been much easier to just tear down altogether and build something new.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bradford072119a.jpg


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Pete, recommend you going back by here, construction is underway for the surrounding structure

Pete, recommend you going back by here, construction is underway for the surrounding structure

I'll get some drone shots soon.

I drive by it twice a day.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bradford102019a.jpg


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Wow I totally missed the part about the additional structure(s).

Looking forward to seeing what sort of cool bar/lounge they come up with here.

Very curious about the additional structures.

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I am very here for this, but am shocked there has been no outcry about the light parking

They paved the area behind the neighboring duplex for additional parking so there's something like 36 spaces on site. It's a boutique hotel with, what? 28 rooms? It seems proportional.

For what it's worth, I think they're doing an incredible job with this development; every detail has been well considered and I'd bet they've been equally thoughtful about the parking.

They paved the area behind the neighboring duplex for additional parking so there's something like 36 spaces on site. It's a boutique hotel with, what? 28 rooms? It seems proportional.

For what it's worth, I think they're doing an incredible job with this development; every detail has been well considered and I'd bet they've been equally thoughtful about the parking.

Yeah, between this and the Flamingo apartments, big fan of the work that this group is doing.

https://www.news9.com/clip/14946297/restoration-on-okcs-classen-blvd-a-passion-project-for-husband-and-wife?fbclid=IwAR1Cb7zFtRyf3yj5r2Y114PNFYBjVWYfNMXK qroqsGdiKuWsN2caGrHq6ps

They're painting the entire place a cream shade. You can see the original brick color on the chimneys.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bradford121519a.jpg

Welp. This place just lost all the goodwill I had towards it. Painting over historic brick is a historical preservation no no. It was a miracle those bricks made it to 2019 never having been painted and now this travesty.

Welp. This place just lost all the goodwill I had towards it. Painting over historic brick is a historical preservation no no. It was a miracle those bricks made it to 2019 never having been painted and now this travesty.

Did this building not go through some sort of design review?

Did this building not go through some sort of design review?

No, it's outside any design review district.

They did have to get rezoning.

I guess I knew that, but it's so disappointing when these things happen. I would honestly be in favor of having some sort of review for everything inside the 44 loop.

I'll choose to be happy that they didn't tear the building down and instead decided to re-imagine it in such a cool way.

ah yes sara kate strikes again

I'll choose to be happy that they didn't tear the building down and instead decided to re-imagine it in such a cool way.

Fair. It just feels like a fumble at the opponent's 3 yard line

Fair. It just feels like a fumble at the opponent's 3 yard line

So, they took a dilapidated old building on an important street and re-purposed it, spending lots and lots of money to make it viable again..... and we moan and gripe over the paint. This was an old building restoration, not a historical restoration. They've invested millions and are bringing new life to an area that needs it. I applaud their investment.

If I had put that much money into something I would want the brick to survive, not hasten its destruction through an utterly avoidable folly.


The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation expressly do not recommend the painting of historically unpainted brick. Historically unpainted brick was not coated because the materials had sufficient strength without paint and had decorative applications. Because of the damaging effects of water saturation and freeze-thaw cycles, painting historically unpainted brick can eventually destroy the brick. Additionally it requires long-term maintenance, a huge expense best avoided.

Source: https://architecturaltrust.org/preservation-by-prevention-paint-and-historic-brick/