i think the visual cladding looks great, particularly if they really do optimize the ground floor offerings with restaurant, grocery/pharmacy, and shoppes.

There were more impressive design alternatives that weren't shown publicly.

I like the Walgreens idea as well. There were many a time that I just wanted to buy a stick of gum or a bottle of water after a Thunder game as I walked down Robinson to get to my car and could not find a place to do that.

I like the Walgreens idea as well. There were many a time that I just wanted to buy a stick of gum or a bottle of water after a Thunder game as I walked down Robinson to get to my car and could not find a place to do that.

Co-workers from out of town who stay at Sheraton or other area hotels often complain about no place to get necessities downtown. I know when I travel to D.C., Chicago or any other metro downtown (and have no car), the first thing I do is head for CVS or Walgreens to stock up on water or snacks/soda. I hope the Century Center re-do happens before I retire in 2015. The plans look great!

Urban Walgreen's are great because you can buy liquor in almost every other state..

There were more impressive design alternatives that weren't shown publicly.

I think that is almost always the case. Designers love to dream, and they almost always do a "shoot for the moon" concept as some point. Unfortunately, we are a city of compromise when it comes to design and rarely do we see "amazing" happen.

That being said, the concept the public has seen is certainly nice and when considered in the context of improvement, well, just about anything is going to succeed in that category.

Urban Walgreen's are great because you can buy liquor in almost every other state..

Prepare yourself to be disappointed. There are only about 15 states that allow sales of spirits in grocery and drug stores. (You will not be buying spirits in Walgreens in your new home in Ohio either.) An additional 21 or so allow beer and wine sales (not just 3.2% beer)

I am happy to say that here in Florida I can stop in at my local Walgreens and buy wine. Hard liquor is not available though. You have to go to a liquor store for that - which is fine because the liquor stores here in Florida can also sell me a bottle opener and a cork screw.

Just FYI, I contacted the OKC broker who represents Walgreens in the market a couple of years ago and they told me that they felt they covered most the urban part of the city through their 23rd & Classen location.

Hopefully they'll reconsider with everything going on downtown, but having represented Walgreens (and lots of others like them) myself, they typically stick very closely to minimum population numbers in a 1-, 3- and 5-mile radius. As you can imagine, the 1-mile numbers from the CBD are beyond dismal, at least in terms of what they want to see.

There are exceptions, but typically the real estate people at these retail chains don't ever want to stick their necks out too far in case a store doesn't perform and they are called on the carpet for it.

Hopefully someday that intersection won't be Walgreens and CVS central.

Hopefully someday that intersection won't be Walgreens and CVS central.

maybe they could share a bldg. on one corner, like kfc and t-bell sometimes do

Anything would be better than the empty shell that is there now. Some restaurants would be great, but there already quite a few down here, with more planned. I would love to see more retail and service put here. I look at this building from my office, and right now, it's just sad.

maybe they could share a bldg. on one corner, like kfc and t-bell sometimes do

it helps when they are owned by the same company (KFC/Taco Bell), Walgreens & CVS are competitors. Maybe in a few years when they merge...

Perhaps this would be a good place for an independent pharmacy. No one who lives downtown wants to drive over to 23rd and Classen for prescription drugs. It's amazing how far away things seem when you're usually walking. The problem is, as downtown gets busier, it will start to appeal to a chain like CVS or Walgreens, and we all know how little customer loyalty there is for many independent businesses.

The Medicine Cabinet in First National is a great independent pharmacy. I don't know how late they stay open, but every time I've been in, they have been very friendly. It's a true pharmacy, though, and has little in the way of non medical goods.

Appears to be some cleaning-out action going on in the old mall area in past few days. Heard from some folks at hotel that "something" will be getting started soon. They had to be vague, but it does sound promising!

So, it's complete renovation am I correct? Are we looking at a mixed use space/mall or something like that?

So, it's complete renovation am I correct? Are we looking at a mixed use space/mall or something like that?

office retail and restaurant

The Medicine Cabinet in First National is a great independent pharmacy. I don't know how late they stay open, but every time I've been in, they have been very friendly. It's a true pharmacy, though, and has little in the way of non medical goods.

It's nice, but they're only open until 5:30 or 6 p.m. on weeknights only.

Hearing that the new owners of the Century Center are deep into negotiations with Mahogany Steakhouse for the southwest corner of this property.

It's a primo spot, facing both the Colcord and the Myriad Gardens. And very highly visible along Robinson.


No word on when the renovation may start... I know they are still talking to the City about adding a few floors of parking to the top.


If Mahogany does come in, it will be yet another great new restaurant for the CBD. Very recent and proposed are: Nebu, Vast, Flint, Cafe 7, Cool Greens, Kitchen No. 324, new AGE restaurant for the SandRidge Amenities building and hopefully Mahogany. Also, the new places in the arena.

Be a nice addition to Century revamp. Is there any word out there for progress toward an eatery on the MBG grounds?

Interesting. I've heard Mahogany rumors associated with a different location entirely, but still downtown.

It's interesting here lately - little by little, all of those old little store fronts inside the Century Mall have been getting cleaned out. Over the years, they've been used as places to store junk or party decorations.
They seem to be moving at a good pace - hopefully a good sign that new things are on the way. Would love to see a 24-hour diner concept, but I suppose we don't have the customer base to support it. Maybe some day.

Hearing that the new owners of the Century Center are deep into negotiations with Mahogany Steakhouse for the southwest corner of this property.

It's a primo spot, facing both the Colcord and the Myriad Gardens. And very highly visible along Robinson.


No word on when the renovation may start... I know they are still talking to the City about adding a few floors of parking to the top.


If Mahogany does come in, it will be yet another great new restaurant for the CBD. Very recent and proposed are: Nebu, Vast, Flint, Cafe 7, Cool Greens, Kitchen No. 324, new AGE restaurant for the SandRidge Amenities building and hopefully Mahogany. Also, the new places in the arena.

I heard from a reliable source that a big announcement on this development will come soon, possibly even before Christmas. I was told 2 levels will be added to the garage, or roughly 400 spots. The exciting news is it is definitly moving forward and will soon start making it's much needed transformation.

I'd be interested to know what location you're hearing, Urbanized. As this is the most East and possibly the most North I imagine Mahogany going. I mean, much more in either direction and they might as well share a building with RED or Mickey Mantle's.

I really don't know how I feel about a Mahogany going in here. Would prefer a new, non-steakhouse concept much more. I do think it is a *prime* spot for an upscale restaurant though, and preferably one with a stellar patio.

We lack strong upscale French/Italian concepts, really in the city at large, but particularly downtown. Bellini's and La Baguette are the best we do with either of those and neither one is near the urban core. I think La Baguette is the stronger of the two, and so would prefer an upscale Italian concept (with a comprehensive Italian wine selection, of course).

We lack strong upscale French/Italian concepts, really in the city at large, but particularly downtown. Bellini's and La Baguette are the best we do with either of those and neither one is near the urban core. I think La Baguette is the stronger of the two, and so would prefer an upscale Italian concept (with a comprehensive Italian wine selection, of course).

How about Brio?

Brio Tuscan Grille- Italian food inspired by Tuscany (http://www.brioitalian.com/index.html)

I heard from a reliable source that a big announcement on this development will come soon, possibly even before Christmas. I was told 2 levels will be added to the garage, or roughly 400 spots. The exciting news is it is definitly moving forward and will soon start making it's much needed transformation.

Thanks, Luca. You always provide great info.


The owners of the Century Center have yet to submit any design plans, which is always the first step.

Hopefully we'll see something soon.

I heard the same rumors about a Steakhouse going in there.
Although a National Chain, not a local place.

I share the excitement about the place getting cleaned out!
It will definitely breathe new life into that already dull block.

It would be great if an upscale steakhouse would lure in some upscale retail to a redeveloped Century Center.

I'm still hoping for a CVS / Walgreens in the CC.

Not glamorous, but it would fill a huge need and hopefully pave the the way for more national retail.

Would also be a nice compliment to Native Roots.

Gosh, I would LOVE a CVS or Walgreens here in downtown.
However I just don't think it will happen. They are very tough to court.
The primary thing they both look at is rooftops, meaning how many households.
The secondary thing they look at is actual population.
Sadly we have neither downtown.

I'm still hoping for a CVS / Walgreens in the CC.

Not glamorous, but it would fill a huge need and hopefully pave the the way for more national retail.

Would also be a nice compliment to Native Roots.


or a City Target.... i was in one in San Fran over a month ago... and it seemed like a CVS or Walgreens with just a bit more of what people might need. I was really impressed with the one i was in.

I'd be interested to know what location you're hearing, Urbanized...
Sorry, it would be inappropriate for me to say.

I heard the same rumors about a Steakhouse going in there.
Although a National Chain, not a local place.

I share the excitement about the place getting cleaned out!
It will definitely breathe new life into that already dull block.

Did they give you a specific national chain? You could argue that Mahogany is a national chain since they have 3 locations (Tulsa, Omaha, OKC) and had a 4th one in Kansas City.

We lack strong upscale French/Italian concepts, really in the city at large, but particularly downtown. Bellini's and La Baguette are the best we do with either of those and neither one is near the urban core. I think La Baguette is the stronger of the two, and so would prefer an upscale Italian concept (with a comprehensive Italian wine selection, of course).

While I agree with you, both La Baguette and Trattoria failed in the CBD recently. Granted, not necessarily for the reasons to justify not bringing them back...

Did they give you a specific national chain? You could argue that Mahogany is a national chain since they have 3 locations (Tulsa, Omaha, OKC) and had a 4th one in Kansas City.

No it's a chain that is not in this market. So far it's not a signed contract but an agreement.

Wasn't there a Ruth's Chris rumor from a while back?

While I agree with you, both La Baguette and Trattoria failed in the CBD recently. Granted, not necessarily for the reasons to justify not bringing them back...

La baguette was not allowed to stay as they were not in the Devon plans. And trattoria well I will just say they failed for a variety of reasons

Trattoria was successful up to a point, then things started to go downhill for them.

Ruth's Chris would be nice for national chain familiarity and 'bragging rights' as folks travel in-town, they also tend to do well with signage/life. I think they could do well for OKC getting other national 'upscale' options into downtown.

But Im not fond of their food - far too expensive for the lack of attention to quality. We need them nonetheless. ...

I imagine a Ruth's Chris or Fleming's. Either would be great and get great exposure downtown.

I imagine a Ruth's Chris or Fleming's. Either would be great and get great exposure downtown.

Although neither of those are better than Red Prime or Mahogany. I hate to think of a chain competing with an existing local restaurant of the quality of Red Prime.

Although neither of those are better than Red Prime or Mahogany. I hate to think of a chain competing with an existing local restaurant of the quality of Red Prime.


Although neither of those are better than Red Prime or Mahogany. I hate to think of a chain competing with an existing local restaurant of the quality of Red Prime.

This is a case where I honestly think the chain may be the one that struggles. Red Prime will be fine if a chain, Mahogany, or both come downtown (though they may see a slightly less business). Micky Mantle's is the more likely place to get hit...but seeing as it's also a chain, I don't particularly care if they struggle. If both a chain and a Mahogany open downtown, I bet one of the 4 steakhouses will be closing up shop within 5 years. There simply isn't enough money to support 4 prime steakhouses in that small of an area.

This is a case where I honestly think the chain may be the one that struggles. Red Prime will be fine if a chain, Mahogany, or both come downtown (though they may see a slightly less business). Micky Mantle's is the more likely place to get hit...but seeing as it's also a chain, I don't particularly care if they struggle. If both a chain and a Mahogany open downtown, I bet one of the 4 steakhouses will be closing up shop within 5 years. There simply isn't enough money to support 4 prime steakhouses in that small of an area.

Mickey Mantle's isn't a chain.

... their food - far too expensive for the lack of attention to quality. We need them nonetheless. ...

Well known brand or not, my brain can't reconcile these two notions. For me, the notion of desiring any top tier chain that does not deliver on its own hype is like wearing getting a misspelled tattoo just because some celebrity did.

Although neither of those are better than Red Prime or Mahogany. I hate to think of a chain competing with an existing local restaurant of the quality of Red Prime.

Looks like i need to try Red Prime and Mahogany, as i am a huge fan of Ruth's Chris and Flemings. Just moved back to OKC recently and havent had a chance to hit up any of the high end steakhouses yet.

Mickey Mantle's isn't a chain.

Home | Kirby's Steakhouse (http://kirbyssteakhouse.com/)

Looks like i need to try Red Prime and Mahogany, as i am a huge fan of Ruth's Chris and Flemings. Just moved back to OKC recently and havent had a chance to hit up any of the high end steakhouses yet.

Also try Ranch Steakhouse.

Really excited to see this building brought back to life. Any word on when some specific renderings might be released, other than the preliminary ones released in May?

Home | Kirby's Steakhouse (http://kirbyssteakhouse.com/)

So they are changing to Kirby's? Or are you saying they have the same owner? Didn't know there was more than this one MMantles.

So they are changing to Kirby's? Or are you saying they have the same owner? Didn't know there was more than this one MMantles.

MM's was modeled after Kirby's, I imagine use the same products, general menu, and service practices.

For sure they are owned by the same people, which means the profits go to Texans.

Well known brand or not, my brain can't reconcile these two notions. For me, the notion of desiring any top tier chain that does not deliver on its own hype is like wearing getting a misspelled tattoo just because some celebrity did.

Kevin, I totally agree with your thoughts. But as OKC is now in the national spotlight and becoming a rising tier 2 city, we need more upscale 'names' to enliven the city and make it so visitors can have staples that they have/enjoy in their hometowns. It's kind of like big cities are known to have this and that - why doesn't OKC? One final thought is having a high end national will help locals up their game in order to stay relevant. ...

Totally pretentious I agree, but we need nonetheless; great for competition.

Kevin, I totally agree with your thoughts. But as OKC is now in the national spotlight and becoming a rising tier 2 city, we need more upscale 'names' to enliven the city and make it so visitors can have staples that they have/enjoy in their hometowns. It's kind of like big cities are known to have this and that - why doesn't OKC? One final thought is having a high end national will help locals up their game in order to stay relevant. ...

Totally pretentious I agree, but we need nonetheless; great for competition.

The chains would be the ones needing to up their game. Oklahoma and Texas do prime steakhouses really really well.

I say the locals, because the chains could just move on.

Think of it similar to the Walmart effect; the city wants it but locals need to up their game (not remain complacent on the previously captive market). We 'hardly' have any local steakhouses here in Seattle but we do have Morton's and Ruth's and some local chains because the local independents didn't step it up.

I know steak is an institution in OKC and should thrive but I hope they realize the effect the big boys will have (especially as more and more tourists visit what they know when they come to OKC). You want the local to be significantly better and innovative, not complacent as they likely are now with no national competition.

McCormick and Schmicks would be a great addition for both name and menu. Not just a steak house. That would be a great location for it too.

Looks like i need to try Red Prime and Mahogany, as i am a huge fan of Ruth's Chris and Flemings. Just moved back to OKC recently and havent had a chance to hit up any of the high end steakhouses yet.

I second The Ranch as well. I really haven't had a better steak anywhere than I've had at those three local steakhouses and I've been to pretty much all the big national steakhouse chains.

I say the locals, because the chains could just move on.

Think of it similar to the Walmart effect; the city wants it but locals need to up their game (not remain complacent on the previously captive market). We 'hardly' have any local steakhouses here in Seattle but we do have Morton's and Ruth's and some local chains because the local independents didn't step it up.

I know steak is an institution in OKC and should thrive but I hope they realize the effect the big boys will have (especially as more and more tourists visit what they know when they come to OKC). You want the local to be significantly better and innovative, not complacent as they likely are now with no national competition.

No offense Hot Rod, but you don't understand. They are already quite a bit better and far more innovative than national chains. Ranch and Red Prime particularly have far more to offer than the average chain. None of the national chains hold a candle to places like Pappas Bros in Dallas/Houston or Bern's in Tampa.

1. The beef that National chains get is generally lower quality because they have to maintain consistency...so they buy in mass quantities, leaving the best beef to the Steakhouses who are looking for a very particular product. Also because the best beef is more expensive and doesn't lend well to the profit margins that large chains look for.

2. The wine lists are frequently smallish (less than 200 wines) because chains don't like sitting on massive inventory that doesn't move for months/years on end. There's no real character to the lists. Fleming's does the 100 wines by the glass which is a nifty concept, but is way overboard and can easily lessen the quality of the wine poured in your glass (as it could easily be sitting in an open bottle for over a week).

3. The staff generally fluctuates more because there is a rigid system in place that all employees are striving to maintain, which decreases the flexibility of positions like chef, server, and manager. Having career servers and chefs at your restaurant makes a huge difference in driving your brand.

There are a lot of other things, but understand that when it comes to prime steakhouses and upscale or fine dining in general, the chains are the low guys on the totem pole. The big boys are the individual restaurants or small chains that have enormous flexibility, character, and creativity as that is what is important when you're charging people $75+ a person for dinner.

Now, if we're talking Mackie McNear's, yeah...having chains like Texas Roadhouse, Longhorn, Outback, Saltgrass force this kind of concept to step up their game. But in a market that's already fairly saturated with high-quality steakhouses, chains are probably going to get eaten alive.

If I were a RC/Fleming's/Morton's franchisee or scouter, I'd build in Moore or Norman where there are no upscale steakhouses, but I'd stay out of downtown or the NW side. The market is already pretty saturated. Their client base would have to consist almost entirely of new people since Red/Mickey's/Mahogany/Ranch/Boulevard are already in the market.

Teo, I totally agree. I'm just saying that the nationals help OKC's reputation as a big city.

Im from OKC - I am totally aware of the cuisine and that national's have kept out because of the high caliber. But I think now OKC is big enough to have locals and nationals, and I think the nationals will help the locals with a healthy bit of competition.

But I agree, there's no better steak than a medium rare Oklahoma bred filet! Red is my favourite.

Another shot for Century Center: OKC strikes TIF deal with downtown mall developer
By Brianna Bailey
Posted: 09:06 PM Monday, December 17, 2012

Oklahoma City has negotiated a tax increment financing deal worth up to $2.9 million with developer Stephen Hurst to renovate downtown’s long-vacant Century Center. Hurst and a group of investors have plans to redo the dated exterior of the empty 1970s-era shopping center with glass and add another 400 parking spaces to the top of the attached parking garage at W. Main Street and Robinson Avenue.


Read more: Another shot for Century Center: OKC strikes TIF deal with downtown mall developer | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2012/12/17/another-shot-for-century-center-okc-strikes-tif-deal-with-downtown-mall-developer-real-estate/#ixzz2FNZH1HfZ)

Another shot for Century Center: OKC strikes TIF deal with downtown mall developer
By Brianna Bailey
Posted: 09:06 PM Monday, December 17, 2012

Oklahoma City has negotiated a tax increment financing deal worth up to $2.9 million with developer Stephen Hurst to renovate downtown’s long-vacant Century Center. Hurst and a group of investors have plans to redo the dated exterior of the empty 1970s-era shopping center with glass and add another 400 parking spaces to the top of the attached parking garage at W. Main Street and Robinson Avenue.


Read more: Another shot for Century Center: OKC strikes TIF deal with downtown mall developer | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2012/12/17/another-shot-for-century-center-okc-strikes-tif-deal-with-downtown-mall-developer-real-estate/#ixzz2FNZH1HfZ)

I hope this is simply not just an exterior renovation but actually incorporates street fronting retail. Good news nonetheless to see this move forward.

Pete, thanks for the info but the link doesn't help much without a subscription in case there is more significant information there.