I mostly love this project, but honestly, I'm not at all a fan of converting the center and east buildings to parking garages. I know parking is (currently) a necessary evil in downtown, but it seems to me like expanding the Century Center parking garage instead (by rebuilding it to be much taller) would make more sense. I dunno, maybe I'm crazy, but I do rather fear that this office-to-garage conversion just is not going to work well (because the buildings weren't designed to be a parking garage), and that we're going to regret not keeping those buildings for office space or residential space.

^

They looked into adding more parking on top of the Century Center and had to scrap the plan due to cost.

The East and Center buildings have been largely vacant for a very long time.

I'm pretty sure the parking won't be obvious from the outside.

I really don't think we're losing much here, other than old Class C office space that kept reflecting negatively on the downtown occupancy rates.

Well, that is disappointing. Though the silver lining to this, I suppose, is that as long as they leave the core of the buildings intact, they could always be converted back to office space later. The Six Penn Center (1701 Market Street) building in Philadelphia was done this way - they converted the lower half of the building to parking, utilizing an exterior ramp system to funnel cars into the building's floors. But because they didn't modify the core structure of the building, they've been able to convert parking space back into office space as needed. Hopefully this garage conversion is done this way so that the space can be reclaimed later.

Right, I don't think the sections of those buildings that will remain will be altered much at all.

So, if there was ever the need or desire, they could easily convert all or part back to office or even residential.

Stupid question, but because of the National Park Service ruling, does this mean the facades facing Park Ave. can't be altered?

Stupid question, but because of the National Park Service ruling, does this mean the facades facing Park Ave. can't be altered?

I believe that is correct in order to preserve tax credits.

Yesterday, Gary Brooks tweeted that he was in Cleveland because they are planning to use the same company that did the LED lighting for their Terminal Tower for FNC.

HInted that FNC would ultimately be able to display different colors for various occasions.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/terminal1.jpg

Orange and blue is going to look great during playoffs!

I can't post the picture, but he also tweeted a rendering for the restaurant that will be in the vaults. It looks awesome.

I wouldn't be surprised if BOK Park Plaza also has the ability to shift colors in its illuminated crown.

That hasn't been specifically mentioned but I would be surprised if they didn't build in that capability.


Sure would be nice if Sandridge would turn their lights back on.

I can't post the picture, but he also tweeted a rendering for the restaurant that will be in the vaults. It looks awesome.

It should be named The Vault. Kinda names itself.

I can't post the picture, but he also tweeted a rendering for the restaurant that will be in the vaults. It looks awesome.

https://twitter.com/GaryDBrooks/status/820457867362893824

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2LaFBtVQAArqVz.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2LaFByUcAAFPr8.jpg

Very nice!

Yesterday, Gary Brooks tweeted that he was in Cleveland because they are planning to use the same company that did the LED lighting for their Terminal Tower for FNC.

HInted that FNC would ultimately be able to display different colors for various occasions.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/terminal1.jpg

THIS!!! I am such a geek about lighting it really makes me smile seeing special lighting on architecture.

The operation of LED lighting these days is just so more affordable than older options.

The fixtures and controllers are more expensive but once you get them in, the operating charges are just a fraction of traditional lighting.

As an example, I used all LED outdoor Christmas lights this year for the first time and had them on about 8 hours a day for 6 weeks. Was barely even a blip on my electric bill.

Do we have a timeline for the renovations or an expectation for when The First becomes operational? I know everyone was pleased that the sale closed on time, but I've yet to hear a forecast or timetable for the project. Is it unreasonable to hope everything is up and running by Spring 2018? Has Mr. Brooks mentioned any dates? I'm so excited for this awesome project!

Do we have a timeline for the renovations or an expectation for when The First becomes operational? I know everyone was pleased that the sale closed on time, but I've yet to hear a forecast or timetable for the project. Is it unreasonable to hope everything is up and running by Spring 2018? Has Mr. Brooks mentioned any dates? I'm so excited for this awesome project!
Will have a 3 year timeline. This is an extremely extensive renovation/rehabilitation.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5533403?embargo_redirect=yes

Do we have a timeline for the renovations or an expectation for when The First becomes operational? I know everyone was pleased that the sale closed on time, but I've yet to hear a forecast or timetable for the project. Is it unreasonable to hope everything is up and running by Spring 2018? Has Mr. Brooks mentioned any dates? I'm so excited for this awesome project!

Spring 2018?! Dude have you seen the plans?

The name for the hotel at First National Center to be operated by Coury Hospitality has been changed to 'The National' on their website.

Previously, it was 'The First'.

I was thinking back to some of the name suggestions for the hotel in this property because I don't care for "The First" (assuming they opt to stick with that). What about "The National" instead?

No matter, it's awesome to see this building coming back to life!


The name for the hotel at First National Center to be operated by Coury Hospitality has been changed to 'The National' on their website.

Previously, it was 'The First'.

Well, hot damn! I'm very happy about the name change! Gary Brooks, PM me and we can set up a time for me to come have a drink with you in the hotel I named. :D

I like The National so much better.

"The National" is 100x better. Good job, Nick!

Brook's Twitter continues to be really interesting to follow. From https://twitter.com/GaryDBrooks/status/825486268830187520


The only elevator in First National with the original elevator cabs.Wonder if Otis can help us recreate in every elevator? #FirstNationalOKC

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3S3XPaUMAAq8RB.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3S3XPbUkAAE8pW.jpg:large

Brook's Twitter continues to be really interesting to follow. From https://twitter.com/GaryDBrooks/status/825486268830187520

This is great stuff!

http://couryhospitality.com/uploads/portfolio/the-first.jpg?v=1485288277
The National, Oklahoma City


We are incredibly excited to be a part of the historic renovation of The First National Center. The renovation will transform approximately 190,000 square foot of the 1932 First National Bank office tower into a hotel with 139 keys. The restoration will include repair to murals, decorative painted ceilings, stone columns, cast stone, metal finishes, vault doors and safes. The basement and ground floor will be a mixture of retail, restaurant and commercial spaces. The Great Banking Hall will be restored and will be utilized as a public lobby and event space.

Coury Hospitality Portfolio (Work in Progress): http://couryhospitality.com/portfolio

How about simply "The National"

BTW,how many rooms will this hotel have? Has anyone announced or speculated on room count?

Sorry Nick but I think I beat you to the name game by a few days.

very nice!!

https://twitter.com/garydbrooks/status/830529759570440193

^ Incredible!

Reproductions should be made and sold.

Would look super cool framed and on a wall.

Yesterday, Gary Brooks tweeted that he was in Cleveland because they are planning to use the same company that did the LED lighting for their Terminal Tower for FNC.

HInted that FNC would ultimately be able to display different colors for various occasions.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/terminal1.jpg

Awesome! The tower lights in Cleveland are a big deal. Always the best way to know what team is playing that day, or what theme month it is, etc. The guy who programs it takes twitter requests and has a phone app where he can do it remotely. It's really cool.

They also do interactive light shows like this:
http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/galleries/Features/2014/August_2014/Issue_176/terminal_tower/aha_previw_night_120.jpg

Cant wait to see these on first national!

''Over 500 yards of trash moved out of FNC this week (18 dumpsters). Expecting well over 100 loads before we can begin asbestos removal.'' 13573

I saw on Twitter where Gary Brooks is asking for cafe names for the space in First National Center. I don't have a Twitter account to reach Gary, but what about Teller's? It's kind of a fun play on the bank windows around the cafe space.

I saw on Twitter where Gary Brooks is asking for cafe names for the space in First National Center. I don't have a Twitter account to reach Gary, but what about Teller's? It's kind of a fun play on the bank windows around the cafe space.

Just texted him that idea.

I like it a lot.

Here is the photo Brooks posted on Twitter of the cafe that would be behind the old Teller windows;

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc030317.jpg

Just texted him that idea.

I like it a lot.

Thanks Pete!

Here is the photo Brooks posted on Twitter of the cafe that would be behind the old Teller windows;

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc030317.jpg

This is really cool! I'm liking this a lot.

Tellers is a great name!

Tellers is a great name!
Agree 100%

Yeah, that would be a fine choice.

If so that would be 2 Okctalk ideas to be implemented. Pretty cool

This is going to be a special, special place. So excited.

Tour of First National Center reveals more details on redevelopment (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=375-Tour-of-First-National-Center-reveals-more-details-on-redevelopment)

A recent tour of First National Center with new owner and developer Gary Brooks revealed more about the massive renovation that will see the historic structure converted to a boutique hotel, apartments and commercial space.


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



Work has just started to clear debris and the next step is to remove asbestos from the complex before any serious construction can begin.

Standing in the glorious Great Banking Hall, Brooks said over $5 million will be spent in that area alone.


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


Tests have been conducted on the various marble and painted surfaces to determine the safest and most effective way to remove almost 100 years of grime, much of it from smoking which was allowed in the structure up until the last few decades.

Brooks pointed to several spots on the walls that has been cleaned and the contrast was quite noticable.


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


Every surface in the hall will be painstakingly cleaned by experts, then sealed for future protection.

The elaborate wall murals will be cleaned in place and the intricate painted ceilings will be methodically restored.


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


Also, the massive skylight that spans the center of the hall will be made operational.

Due to leaks, the huge glass structure was covered sometime in the 60's and then illuminated with artificial light.

Part of the renovation will involve removing that cover, restoring all the glass and steel in the skylight, and once again letting natural light flood the space.

The banking hall itself will be the lobby for hotel and apartments and will include a cafe on the south end, behind the existing teller windows and through the glass doors behind. Brooks has been soliciting input to name the cafe and will later announce the selection.


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

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



On the north end of the hall will be a cocktail bar which will serve guests and visitors. As the space will be available for private events such as weddings, the bar will be configured to also serve event space just to the east of the lobby area.

As you pass through the art deco metal doors of the main west entrance, the escalators and stairs taking you up to the Great Banking Hall will remain, as will the half flight of steps taking you down to the massive basement area.


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


In that lower level, the huge vault will be transformed in to a dinner restaurant, which several bars of its own.


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


The existing vault rooms, doors and gates will all remain to lend character to a unique dining experience. The old stalls for viewing safe deposit boxes will be converted to booths.


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


Brooks said his team identified hundreds of similar projects then physically toured many around the country to learn as much as possible and to benefit from creative adaptation.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fncvault2.jpg


Above the main public spaces on floors 2 through 8 would be the hotel, 149 rooms to be operated by Coury Hospitality, which currently runs the historic Colcord and Ambassador hotels in Oklahoma City.

The former Beacon Club on the 31st floor is envisioned as a grand hotel suite.

The very top floor – the 33rd – will likely become a bar.

200 apartments would be above the hotel floors.


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


Two levels of commercial space will run along Park Avenue and the old First National internal arcade will be largely maintained.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fncarcade2.jpg


With parking at an extreme premium in the middle of the central business district, the plan is to convert the 1950's Center Building into a massive parking structure that will be directly accessible from the rest of the complex.

The garage will retain the facade along Park Avenue but the East Building, built in the 70's and fronting Broadway, will be completely razed to create a ramp structure for the new parking.


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


When asked about the ability of the office floors of the Central Building to support the heavy load of cars, Brooks pointed to a massive array of moving file storage that Devon Energy had installed in that same building before relocating to its new headquarters. The point being that that weight was much more concentrated than auto parking and that in general, office floors are engineered to handle a higher load than parking garages.


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

Various details are still taking shape and may change over time but the entire renovation will take two to three years before the entire complex once again is open for business.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fncparking2.jpg


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

This is just exciting beyond belief! Thanks, Pete, for the update!

VERY happy to hear that they are moving away from "The First" to "The National".

I was really excited to learn about the skylight.

Bringing natural light into that space will make a huge difference and completely change the feel.

It's also gorgeous and will look more so when restored.

This is for real going to be the 'g' word (game changer) . I'm very exited. One question though. If i remember correctly, most if not all of the shops in First National of old were accessed exclusively from the interior arcade. In the post, you mentioned that the arcade will stay intact; will new doors be added on Park so that folks can access the shops from the street? .

This is for real going to be the 'g' word (game changer) . I'm very exited. One question though. If i remember correctly, most if not all of the shops in First National of old were accessed exclusively from the interior arcade. In the post, you mentioned that the arcade will stay intact; will new doors be added on Park so that folks can access the shops from the street? .

Yes, I believe that is the plan.

BTW, although Coury will be operating all the bars and restaurants affiliated with the hotel, all the commercial space along Robinson and Park (old Cafe 7, Tinderbox and the long expanse along Park) will be leased to independent tenants.

Gary Brooks said they will turn their attention towards leasing all of that once the project is further along.

Yes, I believe that is the plan.

BTW, although Coury will be operating all the bars and restaurants affiliated with the hotel, all the commercial space along Robinson and Park (old Cafe 7, Tinderbox and the long expanse along Park) will be leased to independent tenants.

Gary Brooks said they will turn their attention towards leasing all of that once the project is further along.

Most excellent!! Thanks.

I said earlier this was the most exciting thing since Devon Tower. Not true. This is much more exciting.

I hope that means the return of Golden Dragon. I loved their breakfast sandwiches :D
This project is really awesome, I'm glad to see the building coming back to life.

I can't wait to see the banking hall restored, and I'm very glad to hear they will be doing it right and fully restoring all of the artwork, surfaces, etc. I wasn't even aware that the skylight used to be open to natural lighting, so that will be fantastic to see as well.

The one thing that still doesn't seem clear to me is what exactly is getting torn down and what is being left. It mentions that the center building is going to be used for parking and the facade will remain, but the graphic shows the east building taking up a large area along Park as well. Will that part be included in the garage or is that going as well?

My understanding is that none of the facades along Park will change.

Name a street after Brooks when this is done

Brookside? Oh oh, Tulsa beat us to it....again. ��

The same building will be the defining project of 2 distinct generations for this city.

That's awesome.

Name a street after Brooks when this is done

We only name streets after oil ilk

After reading the new updates, i'm liking this even more. Still wondering what the Vault will end up being, but i didn't even know the skylight was fake right now!!!!!!!!!

^

Yes, there is a roof built over the skylight then artificial lights between that and the glass.

The FNC was built at a time where there was not central air conditioning and natural light was important. The base of the tower was designed in a u-shape specifically to allow natural light into the Great Banking Hall and to provide cross-ventilation to the lower floors.

The natural light in that space should make a big difference.