This little motel has hit the market for sale.

Built in 1962, there are now expensive modern homes all around in the SoSA District.


Motel in Midtown/SoSa area. Possibilities are endless for a renovation or repurposing. Walking distance to restaurants and St Anthonys Hospital. Motel has 19 possible rooms for rent. One office with an extra room. 21 Total Rooms including the office. 10 up and 10 down plus office down. Average room is about 215 Sqft including the bathroom.

http://portal.ikenex.com/share/ODEwNzI1MTc3100/13ba0/4000319

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn4.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn5.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn6.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn7.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn8.jpg

It’s a cute, quirky little motel. Any chance it could be rehabbed like the motel across 23rd Street from OCU?

I lived right down 8th for a while and it draws an 'colorful' clientele.

I'm sure the buyers of those neighboring $800K homes will be happy to see it change hands.

At an under $700,000 price, I bet it will sell in a heartbeat.

Hopefully someone will buy it and do something similar to my favorite place to stay in Austin, The Austin Motel (https://austinmotel.com/)

How is it zoned? Will it be easy to demo to build another 800K home? That's not what I want, just curious.

How is it zoned? Will it be easy to demo to build another 800K home? That's not what I want, just curious.

At $92.71 per square foot of land (w/o demo costs), it probably would not be financially feasible.

It's zoned commercial and is barely within the borders of the Downtown Design Review Committee, so nothing can happen here without their approval.

As a reminder, apart from the Plaza commercial strip along NW 16th, there are no design controls (other than a few historic neighborhoods) west of Classen and north of 23rd.

Reminds me of one of those motels in Fort Worth we attempted to stay during the OU-Texas football game. When we questioned the clerk; we were told that they had something for a couple of hours; plus a girl came with each room--$50 an hour.;)

The Classen Motel Inn in the past (60s-90s) use to have quite a reputation where men brought their mistresses. Don't know much about it now since its remodel; however there are ways to find out.

I love this building. It would be great to see it upgraded and remain a motel. If it could be upgraded to fetch at least $80 a night, it would keep out the "No-tell motel" crowd and actually be a positive influence on the neighborhood.

I love this building. It would be great to see it upgraded and remain a motel. If it could be upgraded to fetch at least $80 a night, it would keep out the "No-tell motel" crowd and actually be a positive influence on the neighborhood.

Yeah and if the buyer could acquire the empty lot behind it (if it’s still empty) they could add a pool and additional facilities to help upgrade the motel. If they can do that, it could end up even cooler.

Yeah and if the buyer could acquire the empty lot behind it (if it’s still empty) they could add a pool and additional facilities to help upgrade the motel. If they can do that, it could end up even cooler.

There is now a pool there and large yard that is owned by the people with the modern home directly to the east.

So, no place for this place to expand.

There is now a pool there and large yard that is owned by the people with the modern home directly to the east.

So, no place for this place to expand.

Yep, you're right. The new google earth imagery caught that. Hadn't checked since they updated it.

Classen Inn sold to Steve Mason with plans to renovate 60's charm and keep as a hotel:

http://newsok.com/new-owners-plan-to-rehabilitate-classen-inn/article/5594637

Makes sense, around the corner from his house/in his neighborhood.

That’s really good news. This really needed to stay a hotel.

I have zero original ideas! Who knew there were so many other people in this town plotting to do exactly what is being done with this little gem? Super excited that Steve Mason got this; he will do a fantastic job. We have become a city where a lot of people "get it." Back in the early 1990s there weren't enough people here who did. So many good things happening right now in OKC.

Update on this project: It is still moving forward it's just that Steve Mason has his hands full with other projects right now.

They will be modeling it after the Austin Motel in Austin:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/austinmotel1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/austinmotel2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/austinmotel3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/austinmotel4.jpg

Ksearls, you got your wish ;)

Ksearls, you got your wish ;)

Yay! I'm sure they will do an excellent job. It's got great bones.

Love Austin motel.. when I passed Classen yesterday I was thinking on this project again. I can't wait to see it come to life. will be cool spot!

https://newsok.com/article/5616551/development-continues-at-old-classen-inn

Work is set to start; sign will be resotred.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819h.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819i.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819f.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn041819g.jpg

Will they have additional parking somewhere? I count 18 rooms and ten spots. (plus one handicap spot)

I assume people will have to park on 8th.

That place use to be party central back in the day.

Deleted. Wrong thread.

Very cool. Was the sign originally topped with the globe and cylinders or are what is depicted in the drawings addons ?. I like it.

Very cool. Was the sign originally topped with the globe and cylinders or are what is depicted in the drawings addons ?. I like it.

Yes, attempting to create what was original.

Should be pretty cool.

They are well underway.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn070119a.jpg

Things kinda paused for a long while but seemed to have picked back up again.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn101019a.jpg

They are getting serious; also work has started on the mural for the Classen 'eyebrow'.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn111019a.jpg

Public art install continues directly in front of this project.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn120319a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classenart120319a.jpg

I had not seen that...so cool!

Once they got going, they really have moved fast. I't going to be a great little in.
And the are is a GREAT complement. Kudos to whoever is funding the art, and to the artist.... it's fun and cool.

Saw workers painting the Classen street elevation yesterday. Our city's beautification efforts are on-going; so cool that it seems we are witnessing some new cosmetics daily.

Don't know if this is MAPS or Bonds related; however OKC's investments by the voters are paying off.

Once they got going, they really have moved fast. I't going to be a great little in.
And the are is a GREAT complement. Kudos to whoever is funding the art, and to the artist.... it's fun and cool.

I agree. The public art in OKC is fantastic. Very pleased to see that.

The only public mural I don't care for is the cheesy Centennial train mural. So hokey. The cock ring is something else.

Seems like a cool chain that upcycles old motels like Classen Inn. Fun promo

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/hotel-zed-valentines-special-offer/?hpt=ob_blogfooterold

They are deep into the renovation and have removed the cool old sign to restore.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn020820a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn020820b.jpg

This is going to be so cool. One of those hidden gems for visitors that really help people remember a place.

^

Especially since when I lived right down the street, the old place was a haven for drugs and prostitution.

That place use to be party central back in the day.
I think about this post every time I drive past this place

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn022220a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn022220b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn022220c.jpg

I could actually see this being used as a setting for a Tarantino-type movie.

Really, really loving the look of this project. This + Bradford House are exactly the types of projects that can help OKC get good word-of-mouth in terms of being an interesting place to visit.

those colors are a big ole yikes from me

^

Especially since when I lived right down the street, the old place was a haven for drugs and prostitution.

And now it is not since you moved out. Interesting...

And now it is not since you moved out. Interesting...

Haha... Yeah, I'm quite the wildman.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn030520c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn030520b.jpg

Wow and wow! The place looks amazing. Love all the detail work from the sign and other outside work. Makes me wonder how the rooms will look and the quality they'll have. Pete I hope they'll let you take a few inside pics once they're about to open!

Are they putting in a small store also? What is with the "Superette" on the sign? I thought I knew what it meant but went and looked up to be sure and it is "A superette is an alternative name for a compact supermarket or "mini-mart". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superette

They have almost finished here apart from furniture:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn032820a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn032820b.jpg

stained concrete?

In the last photo, looks like there will be a small c-store ("superette") at the north end.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn042520b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn042520a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn042520c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classeninn042520d.jpg

I've said it before, but this is one of the developments I'm most excited about. It's so cool and unique.

What a great development this is turning out to be!
I thank this thread for introducing me to the Austin Motel, great place, fun place and I would have never known except ksearls post about a year ago.
https://austinmotel.com/hotel/property/

Woke up thinking about this and we just realized it was two years ago that ksearls posted about the Austin Motel! I then looked back and Pete had a post saying the Austin really is the inspiration for the Classen Inn.

What a great development this is turning out to be!
I thank this thread for introducing me to the Austin Motel, great place, fun place and I would have never known except ksearls post about a year ago.
https://austinmotel.com/hotel/property/

Wow! You are welcome! Can't wait to see the Classen Inn final product.

I looks like they are pretty much done, just waiting for the right time to open.