Sold and set to be restored.

http://newsok.com/article/5534946?utm_source=NewsOK.com&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=ShareBar-Twitter

This makes me very happy.

I'm in love with Capitol Hill and glad to see some of our local developers starting to get involved down there.

So much incredible potential.

This makes me very happy.

I'm in love with Capitol Hill and glad to see some of our local developers starting to get involved down there.

So much incredible potential.

Agreed! IMO, Capitol Hill has the best bones of all of our districts because it wasn't totally wiped out by demolition. I'm so excited to see the area get its turn.

The problem in that immediate area is the housing stock is almost all small homes, most of which are pretty run-down.

It's not like other historic areas where there were cool adjoining neighborhoods.

Therefore, it's going to be a big challenge to raise that area up beyond a certain point.


It's too bad because the area between Mount St. Mary's and the commercial district is super cool but there is little decent housing.

It's awesome to watch how things are condensing in OKC as developers continue to take chances in reviving old spaces and creating new ones where there was nothing before.

And the vast bulk of this being within and around the vicinity of the CBD and Midtown is clearly helping densify OKC.

Of course there have been some exceptions, but I think OKC is setting up for a nice and steady long term phase of robust growth for its people. It'll catch on soon enough.

I love that renovations are finally coming to this area. My only worry is gentrification of this neighborhood...

Though separated from the main part of 25th, the Wheeler District will probably help improve this area as it develops.

Though separated from the main part of 25th, the Wheeler District will probably help improve this area as it develops.

Good point. That would be great to see as well.

Plans-revealed-for-renovation-of-historic-Capitol-Hill-theater (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=407-Plans-revealed-for-renovation-of-historic-Capitol-Hill-theater)

A design application has been submitted to renovate the historic Yale Theater in the heart of Capitol Hill at 227 SW 25th.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale3.jpg


Developer Steve Mason purchase the property in December of 2016 and in an interview with the Oklahoman, shared his plans to revive the property as a wedding and events center.

Built in 1918 with several additions along the way, the nearly 7,000 square foot building had fallen into disrepair and has been vacant for some time.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale5a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale6a.jpg


Plans drawn by Prime Architects show the entire first floor being remodeled and retaining the stage while adding new restrooms, a kitchen, two bars and raised seating areas on either side of the main floor.

The second level also has a bar and bar area along with private dining and new restrooms.

Outside, the existing facade will be restored with beige stucco and the existing metal marquee will be painted white and backlit.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale4.jpg


The existing metal vertical theater sign and scalloped end caps will be repainted min green. Both sides of the sign will feature the “YALE” name prominently in metail and neon and in close approximation to historic photos.

The existing ticket window will be face in mint green Vitrolite with the same material forming a base to the entire facade.

Vitrolite is a type of structural pigmented glass primarily used in the first half of the 20th century. The same material was used in restoration of the Tower Theater in Uptown.

The existing aluminum entry doors will be restored and decorative movie poster style display cases will be added in locations similar to old photos.

The Yale Theater renovation project joins with other large investments in the immediate area including OCCC, Capitol Hill Library, expansion at Mt. Saint Mary's school and the new senior center just to the south of Capital Hill High School.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale12.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale7.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale10.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale11a.jpg

This seems like a good project! I like the bars and restaurant space in all, but it sure would be cool to see one of these spaces turned into a boutique movie theatre.

This seems like a good project! I like the bars and restaurant space in all, but it sure would be cool to see one of these spaces turned into a boutique movie theatre.

+100 :) With them keeping the stage area, a large projection screen would be cool for "dinner and a movie" type events.

the biggest problem i see with this development is its use. a wedding/event center is sparsely used through out the year. mostly you are limited to weekends during the warm season. weekdays and cold season you hardly get any business or client traffic. for the area it is better if a different use were instated, something that generates demand and therefore funnels potential customer traffic to the surrounding areas.

by the way, i've seen people working in the white building directly across the street from yale theater. the building used to be a bank, then it was unoccupied for a few years. now it looks renovated but still empty. however,
if there were people working it it something may come out of it soon.

the biggest problem i see with this development is its use. a wedding/event center is sparsely used through out the year. mostly you are limited to weekends during the warm season. weekdays and cold season you hardly get any business or client traffic.

You have to consider the customer base being targeted. In Edmond, event centers may not see much use outside of wedding season. However, there is probably a greater demand for them in South OKC, particularly for hosting Quinceanera celebrations.

You have to consider the customer base being targeted. In Edmond, event centers may not see much use outside of wedding season. However, there is probably a greater demand for them in South OKC, particularly for hosting Quinceanera celebrations.

Yep.

Check out the event centers and private rooms in the Asian District.

Tons of birthdays and anniversaries... Lots of huge families of many generations.

Awesome to this get renovated and fixed up. A few of us Trailheaders walked through Capitol Hill last weekend and this area is just utterly BEAUTIFUL. It's one of the best preserved areas in the city. Its like the Plaza but about 3 or 4 times the size, and honestly it felt like there were actually very FEW buildings not in use. It may not have the general activities of other districts, but this area certainly is not abandoned or in dire straights. Really, the only notable buildings that seemed totally unused are this building, the white bank building previously mentioned (but work was definitely happening there), the Okla Opry building (they had posters for acts as recently as 2006 on the walls inside, looks like it hasn't been touched since), and the grocery store on the far west edge that is empty, except for its still on and functional check out counters and screens.

Which reminds me, is there anything going on with the Okla Opry building? Much like the Yale here, it is gorgeous and has an awesome sign. It would make a really cool version of an Alamo Draft House type place.

Anyway, if you guys haven't, go check out Capitol Hill. It's honestly my favorite area of the city. It remind me a lot of downtown Guthrie. Street level buildings for almost a mile, angled parking the entire length of that same mile. 100% walkable and safe and a wider 2 lane street for cars.

The big problem with Captiol Hill is there is no good housing stock.

There are no cool old neighborhoods with decent-sized houses. Everything is small -- most with single car garages.

Without a housing revolution I'm not sure how far or fast this district can go. Honestly, I think it's more a matter of just catering to the existing population and a lot of run-down neighborhoods without much hope of those aspects changing.

I actually would love to live down there. But I can't find a decent neighborhood to bet on. And in the meantime, everything down there is very rough.

Here is a screenshot from today off Zillow showing the current housing for sale within about 2 miles of the Capitol Hill business district (outlined in red).

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ch072817.jpg


The only listings above $100K are multi-family triplexes and the like, and not good ones.

Everything else is around 1,000 SF on small lots and mostly frame, as in no or little brick. And even then, most of them are in sad, sad shape. As in not worth trying to restore.

I love Capitol Hill as much as anyone but where the heck is decent housing going to take hold there? All you could really hope to do is try and assemble a block or two and then demolish everything. And that's almost impossible unless you want to wait 50 years.

I may be missing a cool street or two but I've been down there a lot.

This makes me think of the Will Rogers Theater on Western. They don't seem to have a problem finding enough events to host.

Pete, I've always wondered why no upscale neighborhoods were developed early in that part of the city.

Pete, I've always wondered why no upscale neighborhoods were developed early in that part of the city.

The only thing that comes close at all are some of the homes along Grand.

If I was a developer, I'd start snapping up everything between the commercial district and Wiley Post Park to the north. It's a mess with some old commercial and small, poorly maintained homes... But it's a great location with the best access to everything in that area.

What's going to be bizarre, is that soon Wheeler will be taking shape. But, not a mile west of Wheeler, we have Rotary Park and all of the Section 8 housing there. Sort of two opposite ends of the spectrum, and all within walking distance of Capitol Hill.

By no means is this me saying "MOVE THAT DAMN SECTION 8 WILL RODGERS HOUSING", I'm just interested to see how that entire square mile takes shape over the next decade.

I wouldn't be surprised if developers start buying up that area and repurposing many of the commercial properties, and if possible combining the small housing lots to build newer houses. I like old houses as much as anyone, but small houses aren't as appealing as houses in areas like Paseo. One option would be to build new old style houses like in Paseo.

i think you are righ, in part, but the bigger reason capitol hill doesn't explode in its full potential is because it lacks real leadership.
the capitol hill organization that manages the business improvement district and promotes it is a real flop.
i have a feeling the people there, like the director, are just happy to have a job and not doing any real, tangible efforts to get the ball rolling there.
i know these things take time, usually decades, but from what i understand the capitol hill organization has been around for several years, at least ten years.
so why most people in the okc metro area don't even know or recognize the capitol hill district? if you ask around everybody knows about the plaza district, paseo,
bricktown, automobile alley, etc. but not capitol hill.

personally i think they should take a new strategy, like narrowing 25th street and add more ornamental trees along it, for example. create a culture of night life since
they have plenty of room for outside patios and public, interactive art. the other thing would be to reconsider their identity because it seems they are unable to connect
with anybody, if you go to any of their events you don't really know what is happening, it is just a bunch of random acts and poorly managed, executed displays.

the capitol hill area has the potential like someone mentioned above, but without the right leadership to guide it to success they will never really, fully exploit those assets
and potential and become an urban oklahoma success story.




The big problem with Captiol Hill is there is no good housing stock.

There are no cool old neighborhoods with decent-sized houses. Everything is small -- most with single car garages.

Without a housing revolution I'm not sure how far or fast this district can go. Honestly, I think it's more a matter of just catering to the existing population and a lot of run-down neighborhoods without much hope of those aspects changing.

I actually would love to live down there. But I can't find a decent neighborhood to bet on. And in the meantime, everything down there is very rough.

A couple more renderings:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale081617a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale081617b.jpg

i've heard rumors that steve mason of mason realty developments has a few more development projects in the works that would come to complement the yale theater in capitol hill.
from what i understand a new, themed bar, restaurant and night club like "la brasa" are coming up soon following the grand opening of the yale events center.

Press release:


Yale Theater in Historic Capitol Hill PARTICIPATING IN PARTNERS IN PRESERVATION:
MAIN STREETS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING TODAY
Yale Theater in Historic Capitol Hill Hosting “Open House” Event Highlighting
Importance of Yale Theater’s Preservation October 5

Oklahoma City, OK — September 25, 2017 — As a participant of the Partners in Preservation: Main Streets campaign, Yale Theater in Historic Capitol Hill is encouraging the public to visit VoteYourMainStreet.org to help secure funding to preserve and renovate Yale Theater’s historical facade and marquee facing Commerce street in Historic Capitol Hill.

Yale Theater pre-dates Capitol Hill’s annexation into Oklahoma City in 1910. In 1946 the Art Deco facade and marquee were added. The theater was recently purchased and is being renovated and redeveloped by local developers Steve Mason and Aimee Ahpeatone.

While plans include interior refurbishments as well as structural and roof repairs, the central piece of the renovation is restoring the Yale’s facade and signature marquee. Funds granted from the Partners in Preservation: Main Streets campaign will be used to restore Yale’s facade and marquee.

Partners in Preservation is a community-based partnership, created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express, to raise awareness of the importance of preserving historic places and their role in sustaining local communities.

Partners in Preservation: Main Streets will award $2 million in grant funding from American Express to Main Street districts in need of preservation support across America. The public will determine which sites will receive funding by voting for their favorite main streets through October 31 at VoteYourMainStreet.org, the online voting portal hosted by National Geographic Travel.


Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Open House
Yale Theater in Historic Capitol Hill will host an Open House event on October 5th from 4 pm to 7 pm for the public, highlighting the importance of Main Street preservation efforts in Oklahoma City. Historic Capitol Hill is one of twenty-five historic Main Street districts across the country participating in the Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Open House.

As part of Yale Theater’s Open House, residents and guests of the Oklahoma City area will have the opportunity to learn more about the restoration and renovation of Yale Theater from developer Steve Mason and view the interior of the theater.

Delta Air Lines is the sponsor of the Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Open House. Open House activities at the Yale Theater in Historic Capitol Hill are one of many local events taking place nationwide between October 5 and 9.

Great event at the Yale tonight and a good reason to get down to Capitol Hill:


Please join us Thursday, October 5 for the Yale Theater in Historic Capitol Hill Open House at 227 SW 25th Street. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Come see the plans for the revitalization of this amazing venue! Beer from Anthem Brewing Company, wine from Waters Edge Winery, and water will be provided along with Yale-inspired cookies!

Vote here DAILY to help Oklahoma City's Yale Theater in Historic Capitol Hill win a share of $2 million in American Express Funding for preservation projects!

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/voteyourmainstreet/#/

Went to the event at the Yale last night and ran into our very own shawnw.

It was really cool to see the local businesses in Capitol Hill there and they are all very excited to have someone like Steve Mason not only invest in the area but do it respectfully and while reaching out to the community.

In its current state, the Yale is *rough* after years of neglect and abuse. But you can see the potential.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517e.jpg

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Riflesforwatie and I stopped by last night. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

As fate would have it, at the event I met the guy who owns the building directly east of the Yale -- a really nicely maintained property -- and then saw him again later at FlashBack as they were doing a fundraiser for Puerto Rico.

Sharp younger guy who is heavily involved with trying to help renovate the entire area and draw in the existing businesses.

Sooooo much potential down there and I met another developer / investor who has already bought one building and has more under contract.

Things are starting to happen down there.

Here’s the link to go vote for NatGeo’s Main-street Competition: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/voteyourmainstreet/#

Note: you have to sign up with a valid email and register. You get five vote to use for multiple cities. I used 3 for OKC.

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Wow, those things are antiques! Looks like a Peerless Magnarc carbon-arc lamphouse paired with a Brenkert projector and pedestal, and an RCA sound head; this 35mm projector combo would date to somewhere in the mid '40's. I wonder if all the parts are still there... I understand this combo was considered nearly bulletproof, even some time after Brenkert went out of business. That's some history right there!

You should hit Steve up about taking them off his hands :-)

I'm sure the only reason those are still there is they are almost too big to move!

You should hit Steve up about taking them off his hands :-)

Man, believe me, I'd love to... I got bitten by the film bug as a teen, and was a projectionist for a year and a half in my early 20's... That was a decade ago and I still remember it fondly. Despite the low pay, that was still the most fun job I've *ever* had. I absolutely adored working with film and maintaining our projectors, to provide the best possible performance for each and every showing. I still have quite a few old trailers from when I worked in the industry, and I'd LOVE to have something to play them on. I just have absolutely no place to put a projector like that, nor the money to purchase and restore anything to perfect working order. I *really* wish I did!

There are still people out there that collect this stuff... Many of them formerly employed in the industry, either on the exhibition side or the creation side. You might try talking to the projectionists at the OKCMOA to see if there's a local collector's scene... This decade-old article (http://www.outlookoklahoma.com/archives/m.blog/27/2006-april-ken-corder-s-collection) mentions a Ken Corder that may be able to help find a home for these beauties, too - assuming he's still around and that his e-mail address (kbcorder@swbell.net) is still valid.

That would be a thing for Steve to do. I just saw them and thought they looked very old and that someone else "out there" had to see them.

I'm sure the only reason those are still there is they are almost too big to move!

I don't even know how they'd get those out of there. I wouldn't trust carrying them down those old wooden steps...

Please vote for the Yale Theater as it may help them receive grant money for the renovation.

Voting ends Oct. 31st.


https://www.nationalgeographic.com/voteyourmainstreet/#/?mainstreet=

Last day to vote for the Yale:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/voteyourmainstreet/#/?mainstreet=oklahoma-city

according to recent article by steve lackmeyer, steve mason and john austin have been proactively acquiring multiple properties within the radius of influence of the yale. more than two dozen of capitol hill's most prominent properties are already under new ownership and redevelopment works for the yale and the oklahoma national bank across the street are scheduled to conclude toward the end of this current year.


http://newsok.com/historic-bank-theater-lead-cusp-of-development-wave-for-capitol-hill/article/5576133

i passed by the yale today and saw new gutters and downspouts.

Renovation has started here.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale081118d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale081118a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale081118b.jpg

Work continues.

Interior shot courtesy of Modus Construction.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale111118.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale111118b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale042219a.jpg

steve mason also posted that this project should be finished in 60 days

I’ve been spending some late nights there. We lit up the neon about an hour ago. It’s going to be a great venue.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale042519a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale042519d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale051019a.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale051019d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale051019e.jpg

WOW. Such a big difference from the pre-construction open house.

WOW. Such a big difference from the pre-construction open house.

Totally agree. When I saw it over a year ago, I really had my doubts that it was re-claimable. This is miracle work. That neon is fantastic.

Here are the befores from October 2017.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yale100517e.jpg

That is so, so cool. Absolutely fantastic improvement. That neon is right up there with Tower and Will Rogers for me.

What sort of events are they looking at getting for this venue? Live music mostly? Or private events?

What sort of events are they looking at getting for this venue? Live music mostly? Or private events?

I believe it will be mainly private events.

Weddings, anniversaries, quinceañera, etc.

I believe Steve is looking for a venue operator. The intent is/was to have live music nearly every week and rent it out for weddings, the quinceañera, corporate meetings, and chamber type events. The place wasn't even open yet and they had a Leadership Oklahoma meeting in there. He has publicly described there is a lack of venues for our Hispanic community. The facility is capable of hosting just about any kind of event including cinema. I wonder if there might possibly also be a community theatre element opportunity as well.

the parking lot on the back side is complete. i passed by the other day and saw it is fully paved, painted, etc.

This place looks awesome. Are they going to have some kind of opening celebration? Any acts coming through?

This place looks awesome. Are they going to have some kind of opening celebration? Any acts coming through?

I believe they are still working on all that.

It's super cool space and they shold be wrapping up soon.

My low-quality cell phone pic doesn't do it justice, but tonight was my first time driving by the marquee when it was lit up, and it is absolutely stunning. Would highly recommend checking it out.

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the yale is looking nicer everyday. i have seen a newly paved access alley from robinson st right behind the ugly, yellow building in the corner. i have also noticed that the exterior walls are getting a white stucco finish.

by the way, just found out that mason realty bought out completely the bank of america building right next to the capitol hill library.

and anothr side note: i passed by capitol hill a few days ago and saw the newly re-modeled and re-opened "el bravo ranch" neighborhood market closed. i worry it may have gone out of business altogether.