Can't imagine they wouldn't have some type of steel post yellow caution colored barriers up as you enter the entrance. Probably in storage...

Looks like they put them in up in the other lane to protect center island

Can't imagine they wouldn't have some type of steel post yellow caution colored barriers up as you enter the entrance. Probably in storage...

The steel poles are there now.

Seems like the side curbs and the center island curb (assuming they will be painted yellow) would take care of the errant driver from the street, and add in the natural exit flow so both will team up to ensure anyone hitting the marble is just out of control.

They are called bollards

I've heard that Ruth's Chris has pulled out. I hope they find a good replacement.

Heard the same

Sign is up at the parking garage! Sorry they are sideways!

16782

Sign is up at the parking garage! Sorry they are sideways!

16782

They are not sideways when I clicked on them. Just fine.

Thank you for the photos!

In the first one, it looks like they've started to install the framing for the glass surface at the very top of the structure.

Thank you for the photos!

In the first one, it looks like they've started to install the framing for the glass surface at the very top of the structure.

Looking back at rendering. It appears possibly a floor shorter than the renderings. Am I seeing that correctly?
Still will look great and glad it will look like a office stricken basically from the front

I've heard that Ruth's Chris has pulled out. I hope they find a good replacement.

Oh well. Plenty of steak to go around downtown.

It would be nice to finally get one of the big seafood chains here, but not sure people in OKC would support it.

A Pappadeaux or McCormick and Schmick’s would be amazing.

It's definitely Prime real estate lol no pun intended. We have enough local talent for someone to open up a high end steak house.

Hopefully one of the local operators opens a new concept in it.

This and the skirvin will compete to be OKC's flagship hotel, makes a better impression to have a local spot for visitors than a Ruth Chris

There are tons of local options in downtown. Not everything has to be local and large chains can be run well with great food— there are plenty of them out there. Sometimes a well reputable chain can be a better impression for visitors than everything being local.

I’d also like to see a Fogo de Chao at the FNC.

Hopefully one of the local operators opens a new concept in it.

This and the skirvin will compete to be OKC's flagship hotel, makes a better impression to have a local spot for visitors than a Ruth Chris

At this point the Skirvin is a shell of itself. The Colcord is one of the nicest hotels in the entire Midwest let alone the city.

At this point the Skirvin is a shell of itself. ...

Really? How so? Honest question because I don't think I've stayed at an OKC hotel since, well, um, decades ago, maybe, just read stories and have seen pics, but haven't ever stayed at one.

At this point the Skirvin is a shell of itself. The Colcord is one of the nicest hotels in the entire Midwest let alone the city.
Oklahoma is not part of the midwest, it's considered the south or southwest. But your point is right, the Colcord is very nice.

Many maps claim Oklahoma to be part of the southwest and I’ve always thought of it like that. I can’t remember if it was OKCTalk or another forum but I made this very argument and you would have thought I was trying to make an argument for murdering puppies.

Many maps claim Oklahoma to be part of the southwest and I’ve always thought of it like that. I can’t remember if it was OKCTalk or another forum but I made this very argument and you would have thought I was trying to make an argument for murdering puppies.

I'm convinced the term "Heartland" was coined to sidestep that argument.

OK is neither Southwest nor Midwest, it's part of the (Great) Plains.

[QUOTE=citywokchinesefood;1161316]At this point the Skirvin is a shell of itself. The Colcord is one of the nicest hotels in the entire Midwest let alone the city.[/QUOTE

My guess is that you haven't been there or stay there. Skirvin is very nice. Nicer than it was when it closed, by far.

I'm convinced the term "Heartland" was coined to sidestep that argument.
Lol okay

OK is neither Southwest nor Midwest, it's part of the (Great) Plains.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Census_Regions_and_Division_of_the_United_States.s vg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Census_Regions_and_Division_of_the_United_States.s vg
https://www.fws.gov/southwest/AboutUs/

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Census_Regions_and_Division_of_the_United_States.s vg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Plains

So which is right - a census definition or geological definition? I'd go with geological, but guess it depends on your situation.

Edit - just saw Panda's post. Personally, I'd go with a science-based definition rather than a government-defined definition, but as I said, guess it depends.

https://www.fws.gov/southwest/AboutUs/
Yup, as I said in my first post on this, Oklahoma is considered part of the south or southwest. My point in providing the picture I did was to show that he was wrong when he said "Oklahoma is neither south nor midwest".

It’s an interesting debate for sure. What’s even more interesting than where is Oklahoma is where the hell is Texas!? Well, my guess would be Texas is just Texas. LOL

A Pappadeaux or McCormick and Schmick’s would be amazing.

Both of these are quality-run establishments, but not earth shattering.

Agree with Pete about a quality seafood enterprise, and, if we are talking about high-quality upscale seafood chains (Pappadeaux is casual more so than upscale), my vote would go to The Oceanaire. Having dined several times at M&S and Pappadeaux locations, Oceanaire would be a major step up, and a real destination seafood joint for Oklahoma City.

We really need to expand our seafood options beyond Cajun.

https://www.theoceanaire.com

Culturally Oklahoma has very little in common with the southwest. I would consider the cultural "southwest" to be SoCal, Arizona, southern Utah, NM, and Southern Colo. Oklahoma's culture is much more in line with Kansas and Texas than it is the west. But this is off topic...

Culturally Oklahoma has very little in common with the southwest. I would consider the cultural "southwest" to be SoCal, Arizona, southern Utah, NM, and Southern Colo. Oklahoma's culture is much more in line with Kansas and Texas than it is the west. But this is off topic...
I get a completely different vibe when I’m in Kansas but maybe that’s just me. Texas? I suppose the alternative would be to label Oklahoma an extension of Texas lol.

OKC comes off as a mixture of Midwest and southwest and Tulsa seems like more of a southern type city.

Both of these are quality-run establishments, but not earth shattering.

Agree with Pete about a quality seafood enterprise, and, if we are talking about high-quality upscale seafood chains (Pappadeaux is casual more so than upscale), my vote would go to The Oceanaire. Having dined several times at M&S and Pappadeaux locations, Oceanaire would be a major step up, and a real destination seafood joint for Oklahoma City.

We really need to expand our seafood options beyond Cajun.

https://www.theoceanaire.com
Whelp, I’m now going to drive to Dallas within the next week or two to check this place out. It looks amazing.

Whelp, I’m now going to drive to Dallas within the next week or two to check this place out. It looks amazing.

Bring lots of cash. :)

...

We really need to expand our seafood options beyond Cajun....[/URL]

We have The Drake (if they're still open), but yeah, one higher-end seafood restaurant isn't enough.

The Drake is closed. I don't know if it's permanent, hope not. Such a cool space for any restaurant.

I concur on Oceanaire. Ate at the one in DC a few years ago and it was awesome.

Culturally Oklahoma has very little in common with the southwest. I would consider the cultural "southwest" to be SoCal, Arizona, southern Utah, NM, and Southern Colo. Oklahoma's culture is much more in line with Kansas and Texas than it is the west. But this is off topic...

All of those have a heavy Indian population on reservations similar to OK

All of those have a heavy Indian population on reservations similar to OK

Those tribes are indigenous to that region, and have a long history of belonging to the land while most of Oklahoma’s native population was relocated from the southeast. If anything culturally would align more with the southeast heritage than Mexican tribes in the southwest.

Oklahoma isn't one thing. Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma are a bit more midwest, southeast Oklahoma is a bit more southern, central Oklahoma is a bit more plains to me. I've lived in Wichita, Kansas and DFW and both are similar, but I'd say Oklahoma is more similar to Kansas than Texas on the whole. Texas being formally Mexico (much larger Tejana/o and Mexican presence) and a former Confederate slave state (closer to ties to the South) adds historical distinctions that are different into the present.

I will say that it is amazing how quickly the "which region does OK belong to" discussion can eat up a whole page of any thread in a heartbeat.

You'd think after so many of these discussions we'd all be able to categorize Oklahoma for what it is: Oklahoma

Those tribes are indigenous to that region, and have a long history of belonging to the land while most of Oklahoma’s native population was relocated from the southeast. If anything culturally would align more with the southeast heritage than Mexican tribes in the southwest.

The Panhandle of Oklahoma was literally Mexico at one time. The plains tribes, of which there are many that call Oklahoma home, certainly align with the Southwest.

The Panhandle of Oklahoma was literally Mexico at one time. The plains tribes, of which there are many that call Oklahoma home, certainly align with the Southwest.

Don't the Plains tribes align with the Plains itself (hence their name)?

Don't the Plains tribes align with the Plains itself (hence their name)?
They never called themselves anything besides what they called themselves. Individuals have their own identity.

They never called themselves anything besides what they called themselves. Individuals have their own identity.

Well, yeah, I know that, just like the Vikings never called themselves Vikings, it's just a handy shorthand label for categorization/differentiation. I was just poking at the fact that "Plains" tribes lived/worked on the Plains (for the most part) and not the "Southwest" (for the most part). Good point, though...

Oklahoma is an amazing nexus point of cultures. I was not trying to be a jerk.

Oklahoma is an amazing nexus point of cultures. I was not trying to be a jerk.

I know, I wasn't either, like I said, it was a good point. And, as others have said, it's pretty much just Oklahoma (we're one of only 4 states with 10 or more eco-regions, so we have influences/characteristics from all sides, but I still think that it's part of the Great Plains, not Southwest or Midwest :)).

The Panhandle of Oklahoma was literally Mexico at one time. The plains tribes, of which there are many that call Oklahoma home, certainly align with the Southwest.

Of course. And the panhandle definitely has a more southwestern feel because of that. I didn’t say EVERY tribe in Oklahoma, but most of our largest tribes were relocated from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Their ancestral roots are the southeast.

I will say, as someone who has not lived in Oklahoma for years -when visiting it does not have a southwest feel except for in the furthest western reaches of the state. The people do not reflect a southwestern desert attitude; but a down to earth heartland demeanor. Which in many ways is even better. I stand by my argument that culturally Oklahoma fits other regions better (but not perfectly).

Perhaps this is a problem of a young state, with a troubled history of crimes against humanity and the forced relocation of thousands of native people. The true identity hasn’t established itself yet. It doesn’t help that the state is in the transition zone between different geological and regional cultures. Perhaps instead of marketing Oklahoma has a southwest state, the new slogan should be “Oklahoma: It is whatever you want it to be” because in many ways, that is true. It’s a very diverse state.

I get a completely different vibe when I’m in Kansas but maybe that’s just me.

OKC comes off as a mixture of Midwest and southwest and Tulsa seems like more of a southern type city.

+1

Didn't someone start a thread for this so we could get back to First National Center?

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=46229

They never called themselves anything besides what they called themselves. Individuals have their own identity.

What an amazing concept in todays political climate

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNThODEBJIf/?igshid=1mlsr9edzxvd9

Glass going up on the garage.

I get a completely different vibe when I’m in Kansas but maybe that’s just me. Texas? I suppose the alternative would be to label Oklahoma an extension of Texas lol.

OKC comes off as a mixture of Midwest and southwest and Tulsa seems like more of a southern type city.

I think Tulsa feels A LOT like Wichita (where I grew up) and far more midwestern than southern. That's just me though. I feel like Tulsa is trying to be much more Indianapolis or Chicago-like than anything in the South.

I think Tulsa feels A LOT like Wichita (where I grew up) and far more midwestern than southern. That's just me though. I feel like Tulsa is trying to be much more Indianapolis or Chicago-like than anything in the South.

I agree. I grew up in Tulsa and lived in both OKC and Wichita. I think they have more of a midwestern feel, but maybe that's just where I hung out. I always said Wichita is like a smaller version of Tulsa and, to a degree, OKC.

I think Tulsa feels A LOT like Wichita (where I grew up) and far more midwestern than southern. That's just me though. I feel like Tulsa is trying to be much more Indianapolis or Chicago-like than anything in the South.

Currently live in downtown Tulsa and absolutely agree with this. Definitely more of a Midwestern vibe here than in OKC.

The ability to send a good topic into an uncontrolled spiral is impressive.

The ability to send a good topic into an uncontrolled spiral is impressive.

It's one of the things I enjoy about this forum, honestly. Would get fairly old if we were only talking about a years-long renovation which still has a ways to go.

It's one of the things I enjoy about this forum, honestly. Would get fairly old if we were only talking about a years-long renovation which still has a ways to go.

I heard it has to be done this year, funding wise, so not as long as it seems.

They have largely finished the big heavy lifting pieces such as reworking the east structure into a parking garage, repairing the exterior limestone, all the inside demolition, etc.

Now they are working on the finishes with cleanup of the Great Banking Hall and build-out of the restaurants, hotel rooms, and apartments.

This should really start to come together this year.

It will be really exciting to watch it make some real visible progress.