Classen Curve apartments moving forward

After years of delay, plans are moving forward for a 5-story apartment complex adjacent to Classen Curve.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences2.jpg


Previously, the group that bought Classen Curve, Nichols Hills Plaza and the surrounding land – Washington Prime – had proposed retail and multi-family housing on the site, a move that prompted a lawsuit from a neighboring attorney.

Ultimately, that legal action was dismissed and now the project is once again moving forward, this time without additional commercial space.

The latest plans by Hines Development show a 5-story apartment complex with 326 units and a 6-level parking structure.

Dubbed the Residences at Classen Curve, the new development would be directly west of the proposed Ellison Hotel (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45335&p=1089086#post1089086), north of Whole Foods and West Elm and east of the under-construction Flower Child and Torchy's Tacos (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44955&p=1067668#post1067668) structure.

The Ellison is expected to break ground around the first of the year and Flower Child and Torchy's will open in the first quarter of 2020.

To the west, luxury townhomes are proposed at 6100 Grand (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44418&p=1040955#post1040955).

It is unclear if Washington Prime will sell the land to Hines or lease it to them.

The Simplified Planned Unit Development (SPUD) had previously been approved by the City of Oklahoma City.

The apartments along with the Ellison Hotel would nearly complete the development of the property once owned by Chesapeake Energy to the west of their sprawling campus.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences4a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences1.jpg

These plans from a few years ago show fewer apartments and some retail which now seems to be no longer part of the development plans.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences6.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences8.jpg

Old plans were much much better. They've been laying out the new parking lot for the area, as well as remodeling/building a new NBC Bank right in the corner south west corner of 63rd and Western.

Anyway, outside of the Torchy's, there's nothing but parking that fronts Grand to Western on 63rd. Same thing with Grand. Parking fronts it from 63rd down to Zoe's. Just a tooooon of street level surface parking.

It just looks like it could have been laid out/designed a lot better.

Yes and any hope of connecting all these properties for pedestrians is now out the window.

Honestly -I worry if the oil and gas industry is stagnant or in decline how projects like this and new projects in downtown can survive. Maybe there is plenty of folks with a lot of money who can occupy these places. Hope so.

Apartment occupancy is relatively high, even though we've added thousands of units in just the last few years.

It's a sign that younger people are choosing to stay in OKC and that there are plenty of good jobs.


For this particular project, I expect it to rapidly fill simply because it is a great location, tons of entertainment options nearby and really zero rental units anywhere around here.

Yes and any hope of connecting all these properties for pedestrians is now out the window.

That’s a shame. With so much retail & residential in close proximity, it’s natural to have pedestrian, walkable connectivity.

Any idea of the architect?

Any idea of the architect?

Dwell Design Studio out of the Atlanta area (where the Hines multi-family development group is located):

https://www.dwelldesignstudio.com/

Thanks Pete. Figured it was an out-of-towner.

Honestly -I worry if the oil and gas industry is stagnant or in decline how projects like this and new projects in downtown can survive. Maybe there is plenty of folks with a lot of money who can occupy these places. Hope so.

The O&G industry is definitely in decline, and the days of mass hiring in that industry are over. There are people with money but the economy in OKC is definitely in decline (if not recession).

Let's hope the efforts to continue to diversify our economy bear fruit, but I wouldn't hold your breath if you want to see a change. The ruling party that runs this state stubbornly refuses to invest in education, even when they are told by economic development experts that an educated workforce is the number one priority for employers.

Planes, defense, and oil and gas are the industries that have historically delivered prosperity in OKC, and the city struggles to think beyond these industries. Importantly, those industries dominate our city's economic development focus. It's a vicious cycle because the Chamber and others believe we should sell to our strengths but they fail to create new opportunity. We just keep mining the same ground.

Regarding the development itself, why is there so much visible surface parking, particularly considering that the development includes a garage? This city is so aggravating sometimes.

The O&G industry is definitely in decline, and the days of mass hiring in that industry are over. There are people with money but the economy in OKC is definitely in decline (if not recession).

Let's hope the efforts to continue to diversify our economy bear fruit, but I wouldn't hold your breath if you want to see a change. The ruling party that runs this state stubbornly refuses to invest in education, even when they are told by economic development experts that an educated workforce is the number one priority for employers.

Planes, defense, and oil and gas are the industries that have historically delivered prosperity in OKC, and the city struggles to think beyond these industries. Importantly, those industries dominate our city's economic development focus. It's a vicious cycle because the Chamber and others believe we should sell to our strengths but they fail to create new opportunity. We just keep mining the same ground.

Regarding the development itself, why is there so much visible surface parking, particularly considering that the development includes a garage? This city is so aggravating sometimes.

This is a private development, not a city one. The city has nothing to do with the number of parking spots...

will it require design review?

will it require design review?

No. Outside any design review district.

They already have approval for the rezoning.

Pete, do you really think this will full-up quickly? I can't imagine they are cheap apartments. With so many great apartments in downtown and midtown I just don't know how this competes. Surely a young professional moving to OKC would prefer to live within a few blocks of of the active nightlife in midtown/downtown/Bricktown (or Plaza or Paseo) as opposed to by quiet Nichols Hills. I could be totally off-base.

Shopping is good at Classen Curve but it's not exactly a draw for living, right? If Chesapeake was booming I think this is a slam dunk. But...

Yes, because it's a great area of town with zero apartments.

Everything for sale around there -- not just NH but the neighborhood south of Classen Curve, Glenbrook -- has seen substantial price increases.

If you could live a short walk from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, plus all the various shops in that area, wouldn't you want to? It's basically what the living downtown experience _should_ be.

If you could live a short walk from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, plus all the various shops in that area, wouldn't you want to? It's basically what the living downtown experience _should_ be.

I guess if one can afford an apartment there (don't know the cost, but it's not gonna be cheap), one can afford to buy stuff from all the shops around there. I know that we can't afford lots of stuff from places around there, but we're not exactly their target market so we're not too sad we can't afford the stuff we don't want. :)

I guess my point is they might capture some of the young folks that would otherwise move downtown.

And once there's better transit connectivity (e.g. the long fabled streetcar expansion vs the current bus Rt 5), forget about it...

Pete, do you really think this will full-up quickly? I can't imagine they are cheap apartments. With so many great apartments in downtown and midtown I just don't know how this competes. Surely a young professional moving to OKC would prefer to live within a few blocks of of the active nightlife in midtown/downtown/Bricktown (or Plaza or Paseo) as opposed to by quiet Nichols Hills. I could be totally off-base.

Shopping is good at Classen Curve but it's not exactly a draw for living, right? If Chesapeake was booming I think this is a slam dunk. But...

There many, many and all types of restaurants within walking or biking from this spot...from cheap to expensive. Across the street you have Trader Joes and closer still is Whole Foods. A mile away you have Sprouts. Within a mile you have not only NH Plaza/The Curve, but you have Belle Isle shopping center with WalMart, Ross Dress for Less, Nordstrom Rack, Shoe Carnival, Old Navy, Kirkland's, Five Below REI , Ulta, Avenue, Subway, Supercuts, Mattress Firm, Cell Phone Repair, Earthwise Pet Supply, Grooming, & Self Wash; and an Ameritrade. Still within walking distance is Penn Square Mall. There are neighborhood bars on Western, and upper scale hangouts like Republic and Flips.

From this area you are less than 15 minutes to anything uptown. You are 5 minutes to Lake Hefner. There are lots of walking trails in beautiful parks. Every night I see large groups of runners throughout the neighborhood.

This is a tremendous area of OKC and a mile radius is a hugely divers area.

All in all, it is amazing there hasn't been more multifamily properties built in the area. This is hugely attractive and getting better. It will fill very quickly.

There many, many and all types of restaurants within walking or biking from this spot...from cheap to expensive. Across the street you have Trader Joes and closer still is Whole Foods. A mile away you have Sprouts. Within a mile you have not only NH Plaza/The Curve, but you have Belle Isle shopping center with WalMart, Ross Dress for Less, Nordstrom Rack, Shoe Carnival, Old Navy, Kirkland's, Five Below REI , Ulta, Avenue, Subway, Supercuts, Mattress Firm, Cell Phone Repair, Earthwise Pet Supply, Grooming, & Self Wash; and an Ameritrade. Still within walking distance is Penn Square Mall. There are neighborhood bars on Western, and upper scale hangouts like Republic and Flips.

From this area you are less than 15 minutes to anything uptown. You are 5 minutes to Lake Hefner. There are lots of walking trails in beautiful parks. Every night I see large groups of runners throughout the neighborhood.

This is a tremendous area of OKC and a mile radius is a hugely divers area.

All in all, it is amazing there hasn't been more multifamily properties built in the area. This is hugely attractive and getting better. It will fill very quickly.

I get that. I recognize being close to Trader Joe's, Lake Hefner, and being a 20 minute drive to downtown are all positives. Being close to the trails through NH is also a nice plus. However, beyond that, nothing else in proximity is desirable. Half the cool stuff in Curve is really just a showroom for online purchasing (Bonobos, Warby, Tecovas, etc). Do people need to live next door to it?

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the target audience?? If this development is hoping to attract Boomers or Gen Xers who still shop at malls then yeah, maybe it will fill quickly. I'll be very interested to see if it fills up quickly and will humbly eat crow if it does!

Do people really buy with consideration of being close to retail? 🤣

Sounds like I'm way off base so I'll stop pleading my case.

One tiny piece you left out that is forthcoming... trail connectivity. The Deep Fork trail will start construction in June and will take a year to complete. It'll connect into the grand loop. You'll be able to get all over the city by dedicated trail by the time these apartments are done.

One tiny piece you left out that is forthcoming... trail connectivity. The Deep Fork trail will start construction in June and will take a year to complete. It'll connect into the grand loop. You'll be able to get all over the city by dedicated trail by the time these apartments are done.

This is really cool! Do we have a link to the OKCTalk thread on point? I'd like to look over the plans as I can't recall them right now

For the record OKC is not in recession nor anywhere near it.

October GRF collections 5% over monthly estimate

OKLAHOMA CITY — General Revenue Fund collections in October were $553.1 million and came in at $26.1 million, or 5.0%, above the monthly estimate. This amount is $33.0 million, or 6.3%, above collections in October of 2018. Total GRF collections over the first four months of fiscal year 2020 were $19.7 million, or 1.0%, above the estimate, and $89.4 million, or 4.5%, above prior year collections for the same period.

“Contributions to the GRF from income tax collections in the month of October, which were above the estimate, offset the below estimate contributions of gross production taxes and sales taxes,” said Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services John Budd.

https://omes.ok.gov/articles/october-grf-collections-5-over-monthly-estimate

Energy is in recession, everything else is fine. Soonerguru is just spewing hyperbole cause he's angry at.....things.....and stuff.

Do people really buy with consideration of being close to retail? 🤣.

Yes.

Just look at the neighborhood directly south of Classen Curve. Tons of new 2-on-a-lot homes that are going for $700K+.

None of that happened before Classen Curve.


It's wonderfully nice to stroll over to the store every time you need a few small items. Or to walk to Republic to meet friends. Or to take spin classes withing walking distance.

I used to live in Manhattan Beach and while my place was only a block from the beach, more importantly, I could walk to the grocery store, tons of restaurants and bars, a great bagel place, the post office, the library, my bank, my haircutter, my dentist.... On and on. Most nights and weekends I never used my car. It was awesome.

I don’t really know why this location is getting so much scrutiny. A massive complex gets thrown up in the middle of a pasture somewhere out on NW 150th and Rockwell or something and no one bats an eye. But one gets proposed directly in the center of great amenities, Infrastructure, and jobs where density is best utilized and people get concerned. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.

This is really cool! Do we have a link to the OKCTalk thread on point? I'd like to look over the plans as I can't recall them right now

Not sure if there's a thread. I got my information by talking to planning and parks reps at the most recent MAPS 4 forums.

This document (https://www.okc.gov/home/showdocument?id=11287), which is like a year old, on page 25, shows it as the squiggly red line under I-44 as a current 2007 GO Bond initiative. However from my discussion at recent forums, because highway easements are involved, the city, state, and county have pieces of this project and ODOT has the lead. I haven't been able to find a specific doc for this project, but I'm sure it's out there somewhere.

I don’t really know why this location is getting so much scrutiny. A massive complex gets thrown up in the middle of a pasture somewhere out on NW 150th and Rockwell or something and no one bats an eye. But one gets proposed directly in the center of great amenities, Infrastructure, and jobs where density is best utilized and people get concerned. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.

I don't think anyone (other than the lawyer lady who lives nearby) is contesting it being built. I think the conversation has been discussing the likelihood of it being a success. I don't have any qualms with it being built I'm just surprised everyone thinks it'll fill up with ease.

I don't think anyone (other than the lawyer lady who lives nearby) is contesting it being built. I think the conversation has been discussing the likelihood of it being a success. I don't have any qualms with it being built I'm just surprised everyone thinks it'll fill up with ease.

That’s what I’m referring to as well. If an apartment in the middle of nowhere can fill up without issue, surely an apartment that is in a location that has demand for actual density will be able to crush.

That’s what I’m referring to as well. If an apartment in the middle of nowhere can fill up without issue, surely an apartment that is in a location that has demand for actual density will be able to crush.
There are other variables at play such as price & quality.

That’s what I’m referring to as well. If an apartment in the middle of nowhere can fill up without issue, surely an apartment that is in a location that has demand for actual density will be able to crush.

Gotcha. I am assuming this apartment complex will have rent significantly higher than what we are seeing in the outskirts of OKC. I expect rent prices will compete with downtown apartments.

I get that. I recognize being close to Trader Joe's, Lake Hefner, and being a 20 minute drive to downtown are all positives. Being close to the trails through NH is also a nice plus. However, beyond that, nothing else in proximity is desirable. Half the cool stuff in Curve is really just a showroom for online purchasing (Bonobos, Warby, Tecovas, etc). Do people need to live next door to it?

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the target audience?? If this development is hoping to attract Boomers or Gen Xers who still shop at malls then yeah, maybe it will fill quickly. I'll be very interested to see if it fills up quickly and will humbly eat crow if it does!

Do people really buy with consideration of being close to retail? 🤣

Sounds like I'm way off base so I'll stop pleading my case.

The Curve is just a small part of the commercial area in the vicinity. There are lots of affordable places to eat, drink and shop within a relatively compact area. Lots of things that appeal to younger generations. You might want to get out and drive the area and discover all that is there, and all that is close. And, you might be surprised at how many people frequent Penn Square Mall... of many ages. People tend to stereotype this section of the city, but it is way more diverse than given credit for.

Gotcha. I am assuming this apartment complex will have rent significantly higher than what we are seeing in the outskirts of OKC. I expect rent prices will compete with downtown apartments.

I see what you are saying. I was thinking more about some of the newer complexes along the turnpike. If Argon can charge downtown rates, this location surely will be able to compete there as well. Its a much more desirable location than anything overlooking the turnpike imo.

One tiny piece you left out that is forthcoming... trail connectivity. The Deep Fork trail will start construction in June and will take a year to complete. It'll connect into the grand loop. You'll be able to get all over the city by dedicated trail by the time these apartments are done.

It's actually pretty easy and quick to ride bike from that spot to Lake Hefner trails... done it a lot. Great ride out to and around the lake. Lot's of people ride bikes in and around NH. I actually see more bikers and runners in NH along the park than I do downtown, midtown, the plaza area, or anywhere else in town. They seem to actually use the infrastructure they have. (That said, I wish they'd put sidewalks in from Penn to Western on 63rd.)

Press release:

****************

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 19, 2019) – Hines, the international real estate firm, announced it will partner with Humphreys Capital to develop The Residences at Classen Curve in the Nichols Hills submarket of Oklahoma City.

The Residences at Classen Curve will be a five-story multifamily project with 325 for-rent units and will be Hines’ first multifamily project in Oklahoma. The project will be situated immediately adjacent to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s within a vibrant high-end lifestyle retail center. The Residences at Classen Curve will be the only Class A community in Oklahoma City with walkability to a grocery store, and it will also be walkable to over 15 restaurants and multiple fitness concepts.

“We are privileged to be partnering with Humphreys Capital and are excited to continue the successful relationship in our second joint venture together,” said Hines Managing Director David Bach. “Hines is also proud to continue expanding our footprint in Oklahoma City, after the successful developments of Devon Energy Center and Bank of Oklahoma Park Plaza.”

“We are excited to add a residential component to the highly successful Classen Curve retail center,” added Hines Director Gregory McHenry.

“We are very pleased to once again work with Hines, a world-class developer with whom we have built a great relationship,” said Todd Glass, Senior Managing Director of Investments at Humphreys Capital. “It is particularly gratifying to collaborate on an exciting project in our own backyard, on a unique infill site that will help meet Oklahoma City’s growing housing needs.”

Hines has engaged Dwell Design Studio (Dwell) as the Architect of Record for the development project. Dwell offers expertise in stick-wrap residential design, with deep experience throughout the Southeast and Southwest United States.

Units will average roughly 900 square feet and the project will feature resort-style amenities including: a private fitness center, private amenity courtyards, pool, club room, coworking lounge, dog run, package facilities and significant bicycle storage to take advantage of adjacency to the Lake Hefner bike trail.

Construction on The Residences at Classen Curve is slated to begin in 2020 with occupancy in late 2021.


About Humphreys Capital

Humphreys Capital is a real estate investment company that acquires, develops and operates income-producing, multi-sector properties including industrial, multifamily, office and retail. The firm’s investment and development focus is on dynamic cities exhibiting diverse growth across the Southeastern and Southwestern United States, where it specializes in privately negotiated off-market, mid-size deals of institutional quality. The multigenerational team provides seasoned expertise and exposure to diversified commercial real estate for accredited and institutional investors. The firm has raised approximately $250 million over five years across three funds. Visit www.humphreyscapital.com for more information.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences121919a.jpeg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences121919b.jpeg

Units will average 900 square feet. AVERAGE!?

Not too surprising I don't think? Where I live the units can go as big as 1288, and as low as 649

Is a Site Plan available?

Is a Site Plan available?

See the first post in this thread.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/flowerchild011120b.jpg

Some more renderings:

https://i.imgur.com/OTRjikI.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/yOw6dZo.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Vs47qgp.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/YwSvKPm.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ab1SzET.jpg

Submitted their building permits today.

Work should start in the next couple of months.

Submitted their building permits today.

Work should start in the next couple of months.

do you know what is going in the too proposed buildings directly north of this project??

do you know what is going in the too proposed buildings directly north of this project??

They are planning a couple of more restaurants but I don't think they have any deals signed as of yet.

Utility work has started for the apartments (along 63rd) and the hotel continues; bank on the corner is almost complete:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences041220a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences041220b.jpg

Are there photos of what used to be here bounded by Classen, 63rd, and Western, before Classen Curve was planned?

Here is the area in 1990 vs. 2019:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/63west1990.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/63west2020.jpg

I have always wondered, what was the large building that was where this apartment complex is going?

I have always wondered, what was the large building that was where this apartment complex is going?

It was offices and a little retail. There was a prime lobby spot with a restaurant... originally a barbecue restaurant out of Beverly Hills, then a Disco (Michaels Plum), then another sports restaurant. I think that's the right order.

It was offices and a little retail. There was a prime lobby spot with a restaurant... originally a barbecue restaurant out of Beverly Hills, then a Disco (Michaels Plum), then another sports restaurant. I think that's the right order.

Varsity Sports Grill was there.

Varsity Sports Grill was there.

Yes.. that's the sports grill I was thinking of.

It was offices and a little retail. There was a prime lobby spot with a restaurant... originally a barbecue restaurant out of Beverly Hills, then a Disco (Michaels Plum), then another sports restaurant. I think that's the right order.

Glenbrook Center East. 3 stories I believe.

Michael's Plum was first on the ground floor (late 70's/early 80's) then Toma Roma's ribs then Varsity Sports Grill. Chesapeake bought the building and tore it down about 10 years ago and the land has been vacant since.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences051420a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccresidences051420b.jpg

After finishing utility work, they have broken ground for the apartments.

Parking lot and foundation of the Ellison Hotel just to the east.

After years of nothingness, this area should start to change very rapidly.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences082720c1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences101820a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences101820b.jpg

very excited for this!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences1108020a.jpg

Always nice to see a big crane putting up a building.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences120620a.jpg