Had dinner last night at Andretti’s in Orlando while visiting town for a conference. Interesting place. I guess it hadn’t fully registered with me that it’s essentially just a giant FEC, but definitely fun and it will do well at the Half. Will without question put pressure on other local FECs.

Was disappointed to not be able to view racing, as the only place you can do that was in a second floor bar, which was closed for a private party related to the convention I was attending. Unfortunately I registered late for the show, and that party was sold out by the time I got around to it. The good news is that I was told that was an old floor plan and that the OKC location will have a much better viewing area, available to all.

Also met the manager of the Texas region, who will be over OKC. They’re looking forward to getting the market up and running. He hadn’t yet been to the site, so I was able to give him some market intel. All in all looks like it should be a big hit.

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Not sure if this is better suited for this thread or the Broadway Extension thread, but looks like plans were approved for technical evaluation this morning at the City Council meeting across the highway from the Half development.

The application was to allow commercial, office & warehousing use and development.

Pete, is Andretti's ever going to break ground? Also, a bunch of us are wishing fervently for ANY restaurant to begin construction.

Pete, is Andretti's ever going to break ground? Also, a bunch of us are wishing fervently for ANY restaurant to begin construction.

Andretti is still working through the permitting process, typical for a project of that size.

Although restaurants and a hotel have been proposed there have been no permits filed as of yet, so it's going to be a while.

According to the Journal Record:


Andretti should break ground soon and be open by 'spring break' 2025
The Skyline Hotel with rooftop bar should break ground in the 2nd quarter of this year and take 2 years to build
The Broadvue Apartments should open in March or April
New full-service restaurants with patios will be coming to the lake to the west of the hotel
There will be two quick-service restaurants coming to the existing development area
OnCue will be on the NE corner of Wilshire and Broadway and anchor the next phase, which will add about 45 acres to the existing 45 acre site

Very excited about all this since I work in the area.

This site plan is for an updated zoning request for what will be the south part of The Half.

The labels are my own and represent my best guesses as to what these buildings may represent.

Other than the OnCue (which owns its property separately) all of this is completely conceptual and I'm sure it will change greatly based on demand. Keep in mind the surrounding area is seeing tons of medical development, so I would expect more here.

Reminder the new Belle Isle High School will be soon starting construction just to the east.


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The nicest thing for me is there will finally be a connection with Wilshire so I don't have to go all the way north to Britton to go south on 235

I've heard there's going to be a new school in this area. Does anyone know where?

I've heard there's going to be a new school in this area. Does anyone know where?

Yes, a brand new OKC high school called Belle Isle.

John Marshall and Northwest are completely overrun, so this will alleviate some pressure from both.

Now if we can just get them to turn on the streetlights.

Now if we can just get them to turn on the streetlights.

Hallelujah, my prayers were answered! The lights were on all last week (except for the one next to the new office building going in on 82nd). Figure the connection was cut during construction.

Now if we can just get them to turn on the streetlights.

Hallelujah, my prayers were answered! The lights were on all last week (except for the one next to the new office building going in on 82nd). Figure the connection was cut during construction.

Saw this come across in the Oklahoman of recently closed real estate transactions and I assume it has to do with the new Belle Isle school:

Oklahoma City Public Schools paid Wilshire Development LLC $7,361,640 for 52 acres at Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway Extension. Tre Dupuy and Ian Self handled the transaction.

The Broadvue apartments are pre-leasing and set to open very soon.

Regarding Andretti, the ball is in their court regarding revisions to their building permit application. They can't start until that is issued.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/half022224a.jpg

Any update on Andretti's?

Any update on Andretti's?

Their building permit was issued last week, so we should see some action soon.

Nice, thanks for the update Pete!

I just find it weird that there hasn't been an official press release from Andretti's yet. And it doesn't have OKC as a coming soon location on their website.

As I mentioned upthread, at a conference in Orlando last fall I actually (and accidentally) met the regional manager that will be over this Andretti's, along with Texas (where he is already located). He was very firm about this location and how much they are looking forward to get it open. This is one announced project that I'm not worrying about.

Building permit was issued, so I guess that is a good sign.

Andretti's Indoor Carting and Games closed on the 8 acres yesterday, so this should start soon with the building permit already issued.

The chain-link fence was erected and they've started moving dirt

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IDK how to feel about the apartment complex and the parking garage. Like that there's a garage and that it isn't fronting the lake, but it looks so plain and blocks potential views from a large section of the apartments. ...

Anyway.

I have a co-worker who just rented an apartment. He said there were 16 tenants so far.

Any updates on Andretti's? Still not listed as "Coming Soon" on their main website.

Any updates on Andretti's? Still not listed as "Coming Soon" on their main website.

Work has started. They are close to pouring footing / slab. The storm last night blew over two construction trailers on site and flooded the site.

This week's storms blew over the contractor's office trailer. Not sure what other damage the site had.

I have a co-worker who just rented an apartment. He said there were 16 tenants so far.

Any idea how many tenants are in now? I like the location and look of the apartments, but the price feels too high for me.

Any idea how many tenants are in now? I like the location and look of the apartments, but the price feels too high for me.

I'll ask and see if he knows.

Starting to make some good progress at Andretti:

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They will soon be installing a construction trailer on the "South Half" of this development. Likely to place streets.

I know they have been working on some restaurant deals, but nothing firm as of yet.

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Not a snowballs chance in hell they retain that grove of trees or at least some of them?

Not a snowballs chance in hell they retain that grove of trees or at least some of them?

You can't park on a tree.

I wonder if some of that retail will be a grocer.

I'm glad there will finally be a connection south to Wilshire.

I am thinking about this central spot: What does everyone else want to see?
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You can't park on a tree.

Not with that attitude, you can't

Dear richest people in OKC,

Please build something unique and inspiring here, and save us from having to look at ugly developments.


https://youtu.be/wrnAsMSwGbg?si=8M3d7Dp-JA1axejO

Dear richest people in OKC,

Please build something unique and inspiring here, and save us from having to look at ugly developments.


https://youtu.be/wrnAsMSwGbg?si=8M3d7Dp-JA1axejO

We just got that, though:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44619&page=9

We just got that, though:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44619&page=9

No, we don't. We've spent the last couple of days arguing about how disappointing that one actually turned out to be.

And, and I'm talking about a city within a city, not an apartment here.

Some serious grubbing started yesterday east of Oklahoma Av and south of 82nd St. Pete, time to get some drone shots :)

Took these last (Friday) night. You can see the huge number of cars.

The grading is for the next phase of The Half. The new high school will be on the land to the east; you can see the border marked by the more dense tree line.

They will soon be extending Oklahoma Ave. to Wilshire.

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In-N-Out would be a good get for either this location or Chisholm Creek. It would be better than one of the other hundreds of fast food joints OKC already has.

In-N-Out would be a good get for either this location or Chisholm Creek. It would be better than one of the other hundreds of fast food joints OKC already has.

I can only hope... <sigh>

Glad to see Flix is doing well.

I can only hope... <sigh>
Does anyone know the developer for this project? Are they local? if they’re not, it would seem logical to build one. They would make a killing and with their distribution center in Dallas it’s close enough to happen. I’m not sure why they haven’t came to OKC yet. Shake shack will make an announcement soon. I don’t know why In-N-Out wouldn’t.

Does anyone know the developer for this project? Are they local? if they’re not, it would seem logical to build one. They would make a killing and with their distribution center in Dallas it’s close enough to happen. I’m not sure why they haven’t came to OKC yet. Shake shack will make an announcement soon. I don’t know why In-N-Out wouldn’t.

I "think" In-N-Out is a privately held company. IIRC, the only owner is the granddaughter of the founder. Seems like they don't freeze food content, and will only build within a 4 hour drive of a warehouse. And that is part of why they aren't wanting to come to Oklahoma City yet. I must admit, I have no idea how they handle their real estate. So, I don't know how often they lease, versus owning locations. But, I recall they have a location on The Linq Promenade in Las Vegas, and I can't imagine Caesars would sell any of that real estate.

Can we please not drag In-N-Out into every single thread??

^^^

Yes, first, I don't see anything special about In-N-Out Burger, probably because I spent too much time in California. Second, In-N-Out Burger isn't any more special than local options such as Spark. I think it's weird that many people wish to see chain restaurants come to a city. It doesn't say that their city is getting recognition from big brands as much as it proves that the city has a sloppy food scene, where there are not many good chefs with original concepts, causing people to crave out-of-state things like burger and fried chicken chains.

I don't see myself traveling to a new location and immediately looking for Taco Bell, McDonald's, Shake Shack, or In-N-Out Burger. Instead, I'd look for James Beard-awarded restaurants, local gems, and places like that. If I could wish for something, I'd wish OKC to have more talented chefs who can publish best-selling cookbooks, diverse cuisine, and many restaurants that appear in national publications such as Food & Wine or Condé Nast. I'd wish for many restaurants to receive national recognition and for many food bloggers who can describe good restaurants and good food with more than five adjectives.

^^^ Yes. First, I don't see anything special about In-N-Out Burger, probably because I spent too much time in California. Second, In-N-Out Burger isn't any better than local options such as Spark. I think it's weird that many people wish for chain restaurants to come to a city. It doesn't indicate that their city is getting recognition from big brands; rather, it proves that the city has a lackluster food scene, lacking many good chefs with original concepts that the residents end up craving out-of-state things like burger and fried chicken chains. I don't see myself traveling to a new location and immediately looking for Taco Bell, McDonald's, Shake Shack, or In-N-Out Burger. I'm going to look for James Beard Award-winning restaurants, local favorites, stuff like that.

Totally apples and oranges.

It would draw great traffic to the Half. But, so would many other things. If they are looking for drawing lots of people, it isn't a James Beard restaurant.

Can we please not drag In-N-Out into every single thread??

Apparently not. It and Shake Shack is an obsession here. Apparently many think those are the bar for being a big time ciy.lol

An average burger chain would draw great traffic to a development. OK. :-). My friends in San Francisco are dying to see Braum's there with their burgers, ice cream & the dairy store.

Totally apples and oranges.

It would draw great traffic to the Half. But, so would many other things. If they are looking for drawing lots of people, it isn't a James Beard restaurant.

Santa Fe, Austin, Denver have local favorites and James Beard Restaurants. Both are a huge draw to those cities. Whenever I am traveling the first thing I do is look for local favorites and James Beard nominated restaurants. I do not care about the chain restaurant that I can get there and not in my state. I didn't go to Chicago for White Castle I went there for Au Cheval.

Glad to see Flix is doing well.

I made the mistake of going to Quail to see Twisters when Flix was sold out one night. Never again. Flix is the only way I'll go see a movie now. Quail AMC is such a terrible experience. The stupid coke machine that serves all flavors wasn't working, but nobody knew that behind the counter, so they were still selling drinks. Now I've got a large popcorn and no drink. The seats feel like I'm in an airplane, and the A/C in the theatre was not working, at least, not very well. I almost fell asleep towards the end, I was so miserable.

I made the mistake of going to Quail to see Twisters when Flix was sold out one night. Never again. Flix is the only way I'll go see a movie now. Quail AMC is such a terrible experience. The stupid coke machine that serves all flavors wasn't working, but nobody knew that behind the counter, so they were still selling drinks. Now I've got a large popcorn and no drink. The seats feel like I'm in an airplane, and the A/C in the theatre was not working, at least, not very well. I almost fell asleep towards the end, I was so miserable.

Flix has totally changed my mind about the movie going experience. I will never go to AMC, even if they are showing something that no other theater is showing. Flix is my go to for every movie.

Just thought I would put in a good word for Icon Windsor Hills. No, it's not as fancy as Flix, but the seats are Uber-comfortable and the concessions game is strong.

Just thought I would put in a good word for Icon Windsor Hills. No, it's not as fancy as Flix, but the seats are Uber-comfortable and the concessions game is strong.

Comfortable seats are just the bare minimum now, for me. And it's surprising how many theatres still have awful, uncomfortable seats!

Flix has totally changed my mind about the movie going experience. I will never go to AMC, even if they are showing something that no other theater is showing. Flix is my go to for every movie.

Flix also does a lot of screenings of older movies, ones that I either saw in the theatre the first time or missed and always wanted to see in the theatre. It feels like they've added more of them, and I'm thinking about going to see Blazing Saddles there next month!