I personally think that with a live music venue going right next door, the Tower would be the perfect location for a multipurpose venue. It could be used mainly as a small movie theater that shows more independent or local films (especially with its proximity to Paseo Arts District) but could also have a stage built in as well that could allow the theater to be used as an alternative music venue. I am assuming that the music venue next door is not going to have seating (see Diamond and Cain's Ballrooms) so it would be a big plus to have a venue directly next door that has a decent amount of seating. The two venues could even be used in tandem, and possibly even the parking across the street with an outdoor stage, to host music festivals with multiple stages. I personally think a multipurpose theater would be the best option for the Tower...

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6184d1389878313-tower-theater-tower11314a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6185d1389878314-tower-theater-tower11314b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6186d1389878314-tower-theater-tower11314c.jpg

The Tower neon was on for the first time in a while, at least that I've noticed.

Wait... ...beds are HALF OFF?! I've GOT to get over there!

Wait... ...beds are HALF OFF?! I've GOT to get over there!

...and you can get a Family For Less!

Grandad's Bar likes to call that area the Wig District. :)


And before all this gentrification it was also known as Core to Whores.

Uptown had a contest to pick a slogan for the district. While the rather bland "move it on up" was the winner, my personal favorite entry was "Uptown: Not just for wigs anymore!"

Grandad's Bar likes to call that area the Wig District. :)


And before all this gentrification it was also known as Core to Whores.

He speaks the truth. I have heard the Grandad's folk call it that myself.

Also...JOHN!

kN4YnCeLM4U

Unfortunately, there's nothing new or of interest to see there in regard to the Tower Theater.

I just saw a bunch of workers inside and outside of Tower theater.

I just saw a bunch of workers inside and outside of Tower theater.

Did you stop to offer your assistance?. They were obviously lost.

They had previously received all the necessary design and building permits, but that was some time ago.

Conceivably though, they could start work any time.


Hope something of significance is happening here but it seems we would have heard something if that was the case.

I would love to see a full-time indie-art-revival house. This city is the largest I know of without one. Indie films, festivals, old classic films, local film screenings. Regular schedules, 7 days a week just like any other theater. I think it would be a huge hit, especially at this location.

I would love to see a full-time indie-art-revival house. This city is the largest I know of without one. Indie films, festivals, old classic films, local film screenings. Regular schedules, 7 days a week just like any other theater. I think it would be a huge hit, especially at this location.

I completely agree. I've said that all along. It's really hard to believe such a theater does not exist in OKC even though much smaller cities like Little Rock have one.

Love seeing this place coming back to life! Only wish is that it would have been an Alamo Draft house.


Tower Theater in Uptown bought by local developers with history of success | News OK (http://newsok.com/tower-theater-in-uptown-bought-by-local-developers-with-history-of-success/article/5348312)

This is great news! I hope they end up doing something unique with this space.

Woohoo!!!

Wanzer and Sellers are the perfect buyers.

I am a fan of Dodson. He lives in the area and is a good neighbor.

Keeping the theatre! WooHoo

I have fond memories seeing "Halloween" there as a youngster (and scared out of my life). Would be fantastic as an indie or fine arts theatre.

I wonder if the two empty lots across 23rd to the south went with the theater.

Woohoo!!!

Wanzer and Sellers are the perfect buyers.

I thought so, too. Excited about the redevelopment. Not excited about the planned usage. No live music venue? Reserved for a "university tenant." Huh? An art film theatre would be really cool, too, but I don't get the university comment.

I really like this part.


The new owners are ready to move quickly. Cleanup and site preparation will begin within the next few weeks, with serious construction set to start after the holidays. They are planning to complete the redevelopment within one year.

Here is the unrestricted article.

http://m.newsok.com/tower-theater-in-uptown-bought-by-local-developers-with-history-of-success/article/5348312

The university comment also puzzles me. But this is so awesome.

Maybe in order to get financing they needed to make a case that this could be a higher-education use. Instead of a hipster hangout.

Once it's built perhaps that detail will be modified a bit.

I thought so, too. Excited about the redevelopment. Not excited about the planned usage. No live music venue? Reserved for a "university tenant." Huh? An art film theatre would be really cool, too, but I don't get the university comment.

I agree, but university usage is better than letting it sit and rot. Bringing this theater back to life is essential to kicking the 23rd St revival into high gear and now it looks like its finally going to happen.

Personally I would like to see it restored as an indie movie theater specializing in films you won't see at your standard first-run movie theaters. That could be art films, educational films, classic films, you name it. It could really become something special.

Maybe in order to get financing they needed to make a case that this could be a higher-education use. Instead of a hipster hangout.

Once it's built perhaps that detail will be modified a bit.

It could also be to minimize NIMBY opposition from residents of Heritage Hills. If something like a live music venue was announced, you can guarantee there would be a huge fight and it might take years for anything to actually get off the ground.

Love seeing this place coming back to life! Only wish is that it would have been an Alamo Draft house.


Tower Theater in Uptown bought by local developers with history of success | News OK (http://newsok.com/tower-theater-in-uptown-bought-by-local-developers-with-history-of-success/article/5348312)

Ditto!

I remember seeing 'Moses' there before he casts the Ten Commandments. :D

The Tower (Grand Old Lady) is truly an icon; wish we had saved the Criterion Theater as well.

The Tower comes with a big parking lot directly across 23rd, so no matter what they do they will have quite a bit of parking, which was an area where the proposed live music venue had absolutely zero.

Also, Wanzer and Sellers are very well know and respected so I doubt they'd get much NIMBY opposition no matter what they propose.

I'm trying to find out more.... They may be saying "school" just to keep the neighbors calm until they figure out exactly the best use.

Just traded emails with David Wanzer...

At this point they don't have any specific tenants signed or even in mind. He mentioned the university use because they could offer music, film, etc. It was just an idea, not a specific plan.

One of the great things about this project is that it closed with construction financing already in place. So, they will be doing some behind-the-scenes stuff for the next few months then hope to dive into the renovation after the first of the year.

Once the space is cleaned and revitalized, I'm sure many tenants / uses will present themselves.

In the end, I'm sure this is going to turn out great.

Just traded emails with David Wanzer...

At this point they don't have any specific tenants signed or even in mind. He mentioned the university use because they could offer music, film, etc. It was just an idea, not a specific plan.

One of the great things about this project is that it closed with construction financing already in place. So, they will be doing some behind-the-scenes stuff for the next few months then hope to dive into the renovation after the first of the year.

Once the space is cleaned and revitalized, I'm sure many tenants / uses will present themselves.

In the end, I'm sure this is going to turn out great.

This is great news but it's a bit disconcerting that there's not a solid usage plan. So much of the renovation could be dictated by the ultimate use. We don't need a nice museum; we need this thing to be a lively, regularly used facility if we want to see this neighborhood reach its true potential. Music venue or regular art cinema (a la Circle Cinema in Tulsa) would add to the character and culture of our city. Hopefully this isn't just renovated to be some rental events facility (Like Will Rogers Theatre). Also, we already have Plaza theatre for live theatre. Hopefully the ultimate user and usage of the facilty are not afterthoughts.

This is great news but it's a bit disconcerting that there's not a solid usage plan. So much of the renovation could be dictated by the ultimate use. We don't need a nice museum; we need this thing to be a lively, regularly used facility if we want to see this neighborhood reach its true potential. Music venue or regular art cinema (a la Circle Cinema in Tulsa) would add to the character and culture of our city. Hopefully this isn't just renovated to be some rental events facility (Like Will Rogers Theatre). Also, we already have Plaza theatre for live theatre. Hopefully the ultimate user and usage of the facilty are not afterthoughts.

I agree. A nice indie theater is something most major cities have, including Tulsa, but OKC doesn't. There is definitely a market for it here and this would be the perfect opportunity to make it happen.

This is great news but it's a bit disconcerting that there's not a solid usage plan. So much of the renovation could be dictated by the ultimate use. We don't need a nice museum; we need this thing to be a lively, regularly used facility if we want to see this neighborhood reach its true potential. Music venue or regular art cinema (a la Circle Cinema in Tulsa) would add to the character and culture of our city. Hopefully this isn't just renovated to be some rental events facility (Like Will Rogers Theatre). Also, we already have Plaza theatre for live theatre. Hopefully the ultimate user and usage of the facilty are not afterthoughts.

The space has to be renovated regardless who uses it. Have you seen what this place looks like on the inside? It's completely trashed.

Cleanup and restoration would be the same for whoever leases it. They aren't going to tear out the historical aspects no matter the tenants.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/2958d1354203136-tower-theater-tower7.jpg

Just traded emails with David Wanzer...

At this point they don't have any specific tenants signed or even in mind. He mentioned the university use because they could offer music, film, etc. It was just an idea, not a specific plan.

One of the great things about this project is that it closed with construction financing already in place. So, they will be doing some behind-the-scenes stuff for the next few months then hope to dive into the renovation after the first of the year.

Once the space is cleaned and revitalized, I'm sure many tenants / uses will present themselves.

In the end, I'm sure this is going to turn out great.

It would be cool for UCO to offer a major in Film studies, film making, etc and utilize this space along with ACM and their other music school. If they already have space at the ACM in Bricktown along with the new space in Carnegie Centre, this wouldn't be too far fetched.

Heard an interview with Wanzer last night and he said they've had several that have approached them about leasing.

Just drove by and saw Steve doing an interview.

I was on the tour. Amazing space. I have some pics on my phone I am unsure how to/too lazy to upload here. Coolest thing were the projector room with two old projectors and a reel of an "adult" film laying unspooled on the floor.

From Doctor Taco:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/toweroct1.jpg


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I was on the same tour with Doctor Taco (nice to meet you, BTW), and the thing that struck me first and foremost was the size of the place, which doesn't translate in photos. Just the balcony seats about 200. Modern seating will bring the auditorium seating amount down a bit, but it should still be a 900+ room.

Also had nice conversations with each of the partners, and I'm absolutely convinced that no matter what they do here it will be first rate, and thoughtfully approached. I've known David for years and knew he wouldn't get involved in anything other than a first-rate development, but nice to hear the same things from his partners, both in private conversations and in the presentation. Also, I think they are being a little bit coy; they admitted to having already fielded quite a few calls about space, and I think they might have a GENERAL idea where they are headed with the theater space, but will remain tight-lipped until they have things more nailed down.

One interesting comment that David made was that with iconic historic buildings like this, they are really more stewards of the building than owners, there to impose their own will. I have always thought that is absolutely the correct approach to ownership of historic structures; the community is much better for having people like this involved rather than guys simply looking to turn the quick buck.

From Steve's Q&A today:

10:58 a.m. Question about budget for project. Wanzer: It's safe to say we'll be spending $100 per square foot.

11:04 a.m. Dodson on financing for the project: A project like this is so difficult because you're looking at 30,000 square feet of vacant space. It took someone who had an invested interest in the area and would be willing to trust us. Wes Anderson was the one who said, "let's do this."

So, the investment will only be $3,000,000? Seems like it would take a lot more than that.

THanks for the pics!. that is a great space I can't wait to see how this develops!

I'm not sure whether it will be in any of the video, but if you were in the room it was clear that they wanted to keep money talk pretty close to the vest and sort of landed on $100/ft as a minimum number, as in, "we will be spending AT LEAST $100/sq ft." I got the impression they anticipate spending more than that.

Remember, they closed the deal with construction financing already in place, so it's not a matter of how they are going to cover the renovations.

They should be starting right after the first of the year.

Exactly. Financing certainly won't be an issue on this project, and these guys aren't the types to cut corners. They want to do everything the right way. Expect great things.

I know there are still some pretty dodgy strip centers and businesses on 23rd, but the Tower is really the last big piece of the puzzle and will really serve as a focal point and beacon for the district.

I expect other shoes will start to fall with more restaurants, bars and retail in the very near future. There is still plenty of room for much more.

From Steve's Q&A today:

10:58 a.m. Question about budget for project. Wanzer: It's safe to say we'll be spending $100 per square foot.

11:04 a.m. Dodson on financing for the project: A project like this is so difficult because you're looking at 30,000 square feet of vacant space. It took someone who had an invested interest in the area and would be willing to trust us. Wes Anderson was the one who said, "let's do this."

So, the investment will only be $3,000,000? Seems like it would take a lot more than that.

Keep in mind the 30,000 SF likely includes space that will leased out along 23rd. Those spaces will not be as expensive to renovate as the actual theater, since much of the work in those spaces will be by future tenants.

I'm guessing.

But yea. This is awesome news. It's unbelievable how much 23rd has changed in only the 4 years since I lived on 24th.

You're correct. They said they want to take the store fronts to a white box state and that tenant finish would certainly add to the amount per square foot spent on the place. I think the storefront space not related to the theater plus office space was about 10K.

Urbanized, did you get the impression they might have been looking at national brands? I thought for a split second that is what one of them was saying, when he mentioned how having all the traffic on 23rd makes it easier to meet certain retailer's "formulas" than a lot of other places in OKC. He then immediately backtracked and said they were only looking at tenants who "shared their values."

I'm sure right now all options are on the table, but I thought that tidbit was potentially revealing.

I hadn't really considered it at the time, but that could have been the case I suppose. I just took it as making the case more compelling for tenant finance purposes. But I guess you could be right; nationals are more apt to be looking at numbers like that as opposed to locals, who will act more from a knowledge of the community.

But yea. This is awesome news. It's unbelievable how much 23rd has changed in only the 4 years since I lived on 24th.

I thought you were a Gatewooder.

I'm not sure whether it will be in any of the video, but if you were in the room it was clear that they wanted to keep money talk pretty close to the vest and sort of landed on $100/ft as a minimum number, as in, "we will be spending AT LEAST $100/sq ft." I got the impression they anticipate spending more than that.

This sounds awesome. But again, if the budget is very high, will that negate uses that could be regular and keep this place a lively center of activity? What is the plan (if there is one) for usage of this facility? Don't get me wrong, just seeing this place saved and renovated is fantastic, but the Plaza and Will Rogers are used sporadically at most.

Hopefully there is a plan to make this a regularly used facility, and not just something rented our for weddings, bar mitzvahs and other special events.

How about we wait and let the situation unfold a bit? All I know right now is that these guys are bright, well-intentioned, well-connected and community-minded. They also have construction financing in place. That's good enough for me, for now.

I am careful with my praise but perhaps the highest compliment I can pay these guys is to say they are like the Good Egg Group of developers.

They love historical building and have a great track record of doing things well and the right way, and being motivated in large part by their sincere passion for the City.

I'm parking my skepticism in favor of just trusting this is going to turn out the best possible way.

Pete, with the Tower Theatre finally being bought by someone who will do something with it, what properties do you think become the most important properties along NW 23rd? The buildings to the east of this that were brought up as a music venue? What about the supermarket between The Rise and the Tower?

Pete, with the Tower Theatre finally being bought by someone who will do something with it, what properties do you think become the most important properties along NW 23rd? The buildings to the east of this that were brought up as a music venue? What about the supermarket between The Rise and the Tower?

You mean the, "KING OF MEDICAL MASSAGE CHAIR" building?

You mean the, "KING OF MEDICAL MASSAGE CHAIR" building?

Yeah, that one. It says "TR'O'NG-THANH-SUPERMARKET IMPORT WHOLESALE FASHION JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES" on the sign, but yeah, I see the "KING OF MEDICAL MASSAGE CHAIR" sign as well. Now I am curious what is in there.

I think the Tower guys would love to add that place to their portfolio, and it sounds like they have a friendly enough relationship with the owner/operator, but it sounds like right now she is holding out for a price that just isn't justifiable. Apparently the place is still in operation, but the hours are pretty random.

I thought you were a Gatewooder.
I was. My post might not have been clear. We lived on 24th from 2008-2010 before we moved to Gatewood.

I'm sure they know what they are doing.

Bringing in a national chain to the development wouldn't be a bad thing. It would drive a ton of foot traffic to the area that the local stores can play off of. Particularly for a tourist, it takes a lot of work to find good local places, but if you funnel them in with a national brand everyone wins.

Family Dollar needs to go. That building could be better utilized and there's another Family Dollar just west of Classen. My two cents.