Do we know when we will find out the tenant for this building?

I love how the streetcar snakes through this part of town.

The Oklahoman reporting Lingo construction is set to anchor the Monarch Building.

Very strange.

Going from 11,275 SF in a building they own and renovated just for them (Rand Elliott design) to leasing 9,800 square feet.

Hmmm. Maybe somebody was looking to buy their building and made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

The article said they wanted to be in a more modern building since they are now building more modern buildings.

These are their current offices:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lingo112718a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lingo112718b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lingo112718c.jpg

Looks pretty modern to me, I feel like we are not getting the whole story from somebody involved.

probably more parking at the new place

Their current office is wonderful, but it is also closed off and separates people a bit. Playing with layout, I can see how they could reduce SF and make a new space work better for them. Stan was pretty proud of the current space, so I know he's being thoughtful about the new space as well.

per Newsok.com they received an offer for their existing building too good to pass up

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch122218.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch122218.jpg

It would be nice to see something of 8+ stories go on that parking lot.

It would be nice to see something of 8+ stories go on that parking lot.

Do we know who owns that parking lot? The building to the south of it is a really cool building and I hope someone rehabs it into a cool gathering space.

With being right on the streetcar line, I would be surprised if something didn't happen sooner rather than later with that lot.

Thursday night

15127

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch010519.jpg

I will be super-happy if completion of this project brings better night lighting to the area between Garage, Monarch and the Stryker building. Right now it's pitch black.

Speaking of Stryker building, when I was over there, it had a for sale sign up.

Oklahoman reporting Ackerman McQueen is moving from the Valliance building to Monarch.

Props to Worthy Cook who had previously posted this info on 12/26 but I took it down (with his permission) while I attempted to verify. I knew it was happening, but couldn't get anyone to go on the record.

I know Ackerman was in active negotiations with Chisholm Creek until quite recently.


Although the Oklahoman did not disclose this, Ackerman places millions of advertising with them on behalf of their clients. They also place a much smaller amount with a company I own, Oklahoma Gazette.

My first scoop!

Wasn't Lingo supposed to go into this building? That always seemed odd but wasn't that the story? Is Lingo staying put where they are?

Believe both tenants will be going in.

Believe both tenants will be going in.


The Oklahoman article states this.

https://newsok.com/article/5620050/ackerman-mcqueen-is-relocating-to-the-monarch-building-in-midtown

currently locked

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch011319.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch021719a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch021719b.jpg

Glass going up.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch030319a.jpg

Saw on social media that ackerman mcqueen is moving to this building, maybe that was out there already though.

Saw on social media that ackerman mcqueen is moving to this building, maybe that was out there already though.

Yes, the Oklahoman had a story on it several months ago.

But I'm not sure that is going to happen if they lose the NRA as a client, which I understand represents more than half their billings.

Yes, the Oklahoman had a story on it several months ago.

But I'm not sure that is going to happen if they lose the NRA as a client, which I understand represents more than half their billings.

I don't know much about ad agencies, but I did watch all 7 seasons of Mad Men and so I think I'm qualified to say that losing half your billings is bad.

I don't know much about ad agencies, but I did watch all 7 seasons of Mad Men and so I think I'm qualified to say that losing half your billings is bad.

"Lucky Strike can turn off our lights."

I don't know much about ad agencies, but I did watch all 7 seasons of Mad Men and so I think I'm qualified to say that losing half your billings is bad.

I would bet that, even if Ackerman were to lose the NRA account, they'd still be the largest ad agency in the state.

I would bet that, even if Ackerman were to lose the NRA account, they'd still be the largest ad agency in the state.

That's assuming there isn't a cascading effect when/if they lose the NRA.

That's assuming there isn't a cascading effect when/if they lose the NRA.

Yeah. You can be sure each of their clients are currently going over Ackerman's prior invoices with a fine-tooth comb.

That being said, I'm sure there's a lot more to this story than Ackerman refusing to turn over detailed T&E and budget information and can't imagine this lawsuit was a surprise to them. To be a fly on the wall....

Yeah. You can be sure each of their clients are currently going over Ackerman's prior invoices with a fine-toothed comb.

Also, the hundreds of millions AMc got from the NRA allowed them to do lots of things for other clients.

It is impossible to overstate how intertwined AM and the NRA have become. Either company is the puppet on the lap of the other, IMO. They are 50-50 partners on lobbying and marketing companies in the DC area (under different names). NRA TV is all from AM. This is arguably the longest and deepest partnership between PR and client in American history. This includes a family feud.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch042219a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch042219b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch042219c.jpg

Grabbed some The Garage yesterday and snapped this one. Really surprised at how much of a difference this building makes on this street. Also much bigger than I had pictured in my head. Picture from 5-3-19:

https://i.imgur.com/x0TZ2Yp.jpg?2

Beautiful addition to Midtown. This is turning out even better than I expected

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch060819a.jpg

they were out pouring concrete for the back parking lot at 0500 this morning ...

Ackerman McQueen is still saying they plan to occupy a bunch of new space here, but given they have just lost at least half their revenue (the NRA) we'll see if they actually make that very expensive move.

No permits have been filed as of yet to finish out their space.

I would assume this building is smaller than their existing space in the Valliance Tower. As long as they're still in business one would assume they would still need office space.

My question is not necessarily if they need the space it is IF they will move to the Monarch or not.

Moving an office -- especially studios like what they have -- is crazy expensive.

I believe a big part of the motivation was to get more space and I suspect at least half their staff will be gone.

I would assume this building is smaller than their existing space in the Valliance Tower. As long as they're still in business one would assume they would still need office space.

My question is not necessarily if they need the space it is IF they will move to the Monarch or not.

I believe there's a growing recognition within the Agency that moving to the Monarch will not necessarily win new clients nor help the firm keep its old, but, ultimately, no one wants to keep a Young King from having his pretty castle.

^

And because they committed to this just before losing half their business and made a point to do a huge PR splash about their plans, they have effectively painted themselves into a corner.

If they don't move, it will be seen as a further sign of collapse just when they are trying to hang on to their remaining clients.

So, at the worst possible time, they now almost have to go out and spend millions on a move they no longer need to make.

^

And because they committed to this just before losing half their business and made a point to do a huge PR splash about their plans, they have effectively painted themselves into a corner.

If they don't move, it will be seen as a further sign of collapse just when they are trying to hang on to their remaining clients.

So, at the worst possible time, they now almost have to go out and spend millions on a move they no longer need to make.

it does seem possible and maybe even likely that they were very aware of the entire NRA ordeal and the possiblity of losing them as a client before they decided to make this move??

it will be interesting to follow

In the Oklahoman story it said they met with the MidtownR group about moving here in August 2018.

And I know they were looking at various sites well before that.

So, they were looking to move long before this chain of events with the NRA. And it's highly doubtful they would be looking to spend millions on a new home if they knew they were going to lose at least half their income.

I think AM is going to survive OK. They are the best messaging service for the views they have put on NRATV and other platforms over the past 35 plus years. They should be able to find another partner for their existing infrastructure.

I'm guessing a rationale for moving is that the younger customer of theirs is moving away from the corporate office tower mentality. And the creative talent and buyer are both drawn to the more urban setting they are going to.

Of note, Lingo Construction has already filed and had their building permit issued for their new space on the ground floor.

No BP application has yet been made for the 2nd through 4th floors that AMc said they plan to occupy.

And no BP application for the space in the building to the east that AMc has said they will also be building out for their new studio.

In the Oklahoman story it said they met with the MidtownR group about moving here in August 2018.

And I know they were looking at various sites well before that.

So, they were looking to move long before this chain of events with the NRA. And it's highly doubtful they would be looking to spend millions on a new home if they knew they were going to lose at least half their income.

per the NYT and the WSJ they have been in a pretty big conflict with the NRA since at least Nov 18 so it is not like this was just thrust upon them

maybe they didn't think things would get this bad??

it will be interesting to see if they actually occupy??

per the NYT and the WSJ they have been in a pretty big conflict with the NRA since at least Nov 18 so it is not like this was just thrust upon them

maybe they didn't think things would get this bad??

it will be interesting to see if they actually occupy??

Either they knew about this well before November (which has not been reported) and this was considered in their move, or they did not believe things would go completely south with the NRA when they announced the plans for the new space.

If the latter, they are in a very bad place. Pull out and it adds fuel to the fire that the agency is in serious trouble. Go forward and you have to incur massive expense just as you are losing at least half your business.

Either they knew about this well before November (which has not been reported) and this was considered in their move, or they did not believe things would go completely south with the NRA when they announced the plans for the new space.

If the latter, they are in a very bad place. Pull out and it adds fuel to the fire that the agency is in serious trouble. Go forward and you have to incur massive expense just as you are losing at least half your business.

i guess it will be very telling if they are trying to sublease this space and/or trying to find someone to just fully take this lease ... i would think that this space would be more expensive cost per sqft than their existing space ..

i guess it will be very telling if they are trying to sublease this space and/or trying to find someone to just fully take this lease ... i would think that this space would be more expensive cost per sqft than their existing space ..

The announcement in January said they would be making the move 'later this year'.

We are almost halfway through 2019 and they haven't even filed their building permits.

Ackerman McQueen has filed their building permit applications for parts of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors.

No permits have been filed for their proposed studio space in the building to the east.

All levels at the Monarch show space carved out for 'future expansion'. My understanding is they had to reconfigure their layouts after their deal with the NRA went completely south.

Top is 2nd floor followed by 3rd and 4th.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ackerman2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ackerman3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ackerman4.jpg

this is good news


which building was their studio supposed to go into??

^

I believe in the one directly across Robinson; part of the old Flower Mart.

Exterior is largely complete and at least some of Lingo's employees have moved in on the ground floor. Still lots of work to do on the upper floors, which will be the new HQ for Ackerman McQueen.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch120819a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/monarch120819b.jpg

Those are neat workstations...