Just curious but are they building out the apartment spaces as spec work or they going to build out the insides of most of those as they are leased? Like model home approach or just build out the whole complex approach?

Just thinking that depending on how the rebuild all the services like water/electric/HVAC, that it may or may not be easy to do it one unit at a time but maybe one floor at a time. I'm thinking water pumps, transformers/etc. But if they do it one unit or floor at a time, it could also save a LOT on the initial investment. Also means you have build time for the first tenants so you aren't "move-in" ready.

Anyone also have any feel for how downtown's residential numbers are doing in this crazy market? OKC is not San Fran or anything, but we're also not sending people to work downtown like we were either.

^

They are building out the apartments and hotel rooms and everything else all at once and all should be finished within a year or so.

^

They are building out the apartments and hotel rooms and everything else all at once and all should be finished within a year or so.

Pete, will there be for sale units?

Isn’t there a process they are going to do to clean exterior limestone and windows? I know windows haven’t been done but I assume limestone hasn’t been cleaned yet either.
Any insight into that.

Pete, will there be for sale units?

No, just apartments and hotel rooms.


I don't think they are replacing windows, just repairing them.

And I know they fixed a lot of limestone mortar joints but not sure if it will all get cleaned.

The Great Hall ceiling is looking great.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNk4LlNBxDY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

No, just apartments and hotel rooms.


I don't think they are replacing windows, just repairing them.

And I know they fixed a lot of limestone mortar joints but not sure if it will all get cleaned.

Correct. They are adding new storm windows on interior. But planning to clean the exterior ones. This is related to historic credits that required them to leave original windows

I’m curious on the exterior limestone cleaning. I think there was talk of cleaning it. That would make it looks so much better if it was cleaned to remove years of aging

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc041821a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc041821a.jpg

Construction fencing is down around garage! About 1/3 of garage has glass now. Few more weeks and this garage will be complete. Looks like Broadway could open back up soon for traffic southbound.

Also I noticed they left ceiling tiles for a few feet on the north side where actual garage is giving it a true look of an office building from the street view along park ave.

Okc should be very glad to have this property handled right finally. It’s going to be such a great asset for the area.

Gary Brooks might be the best thing to have happened to OKC in the last decade.

Gary Brooks might be the best thing to have happened to OKC in the last decade.

Agree

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc050121a.jpg

that looks really sharp... but that one panel that is tinted differently is killing my need for order.

Surely that panel will be replaced....

Surely that panel will be replaced....

I don't know, it looks like it would be a real pane to replace.

They're gonna leave that protective film on there for a few years so that when they pull it off, it's like its a whole new window. lol

Maybe it’s the Devon Energy Memorial Window?

It's a reflection of their work.

They are going for full-on OCD trigger. Off-center signage and now randomly leaving panes untinted.

Ahhhh but the sign is centered over the drive openings..?

Sort of... It is further left than center. The O is basically aligned with the opening's side, but then on the end, the E is set in further.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc050121a.jpg

At current pace I expect this glass to all be installed by end of next week. Seems like they are doing a floor a day. I think only 4 more rows based on the size of the pieces going up currently and they are starting one of those row as I type this

They should be getting close to opening that garage, at least for the legions of workers finishing out the interior of First Nation Center.

They should be getting close to opening that garage, at least for the legions of workers finishing out the interior of First Nation Center.

Yes they are moving super fast to finish it up. The floor of windows I mentioned an hour ago is almost half finished now
They cut the curb in the median of Broadway and poured concrete all this week. Looks about ready for use.

Sort of... It is further left than center. The O is basically aligned with the opening's side, but then on the end, the E is set in further.

I think that might be a trick of perspective. I haven't looked at this specifically in person, but I think if that photo had been taken absolutely square to the center post that it would line up. Stuff like that bothers me greatly also, just to be clear...

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc050621a.jpg

And then there were two weird windows....plus one missing.

Instead of Ruth's Chris, it looks like the steakhouse on the ground floor of this project will be run by the hotel.

Will be called The National Steakhouse, the hotel is named The National.

Its entry will be along Park Avenue, just east of the corner space that was occupied by Cafe 7. That Cafe 7 space will be a coffee shop.


Remember, this is all on the ground floor; The Great Banking Hall -- which will also be a bar and restaurant as well as the hotel lobby -- is on the 2nd level. There will also be a restaurant/bar in the basement in the space formerly used for safety deposit boxes and the bank vault. Another bar/lounge will be on the 32nd floor in the space last occupied by the original Beacon Club.

l. There will also be a restaurant/bar in the basement in the space formerly used for safety deposit boxes and the bank vault. A.

wasn't the original plan for ruth's chris to go into the bank vault space ??

wasn't the original plan for ruth's chris to go into the bank vault space ??

No, I don't believe so.

I toured the space with Gary Brooks a couple of years ago and that is not what he said. The plan for that space is for a speakeasy-type bar/restaurant.


To be fair, there are a bunch of restaurants and bars in this project, making it difficult to keep everything straight.

No, I don't believe so.

I toured the space with Gary Brooks a couple of years ago and that is not what he said. The plan for that space is for a speakeasy-type bar/restaurant.


To be fair, there are a bunch of restaurants and bars in this project, making it difficult to keep everything straight.

thanks pete

I just double-checked the original press release from Ruth's Chris and the plan was to be on the ground floor where the National Steakhouse will now be located instead.

Here are the plans; the first is for the steakhouse and the second for the tower section of the first floor. There will be a valet for the steakhouse and residents along Park and a larger valet area on Robinson for hotel guests.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/nationalsteak1.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/nationalsteak2.jpg

Speakeasy style bar in the bank vault is thematically funny, so it makes sense that was always the plan.

Has Gary Brooks announced an updated completion date? I know he announced June 2020 when he first got involved, but there were obviously delays given unexpected discoveries and, of course, COVID.

Pretty sure end of the year

Yes, everything is supposed to be wrapped up late this year.

Most of the big stuff has been done; they are now finishing out the interior with the hotel rooms, apartments, and amenities.

Hard to believe that in about 6 months, we'll all be able to go inside and see for ourselves.

This project, when completed, will be one of the most important projects to happen in downtown OKC. And it is incredibly low-profile; most people probably don't know about it, but they will be amazed when they see it.

Yeah I can't say I've paid very close attention to this thread but what I've read in the last 10 or so posts does intrigue me.

Yes, everything is supposed to be wrapped up late this year.

Most of the big stuff has been done; they are now finishing out the interior with the hotel rooms, apartments, and amenities.

Hard to believe that in about 6 months, we'll all be able to go inside and see for ourselves.

I CANNOT wait for that moment!!!

This project, when completed, will be one of the most important projects to happen in downtown OKC. And it is incredibly low-profile; most people probably don't know about it, but they will be amazed when they see it.

this is spot on

And it is incredibly low-profile; most people probably don't know about it, but they will be amazed when they see it.

I don't know about that. Most of the people in my circle knows its happening. But, for many many in OKC, it won't affect them at all. Most won't be able to afford or want a downtown apartment with an exclusive address, and most of the city can't afford to eat at the steak house, at least regularly. Most won't stay at the hotel or pay to put up their family there. I just don't think the average citizen gets as gooie about these projects and some of the posters on this site.

I don't know about that. Most of the people in my circle knows its happening. But, for many many in OKC, it won't affect them at all. Most won't be able to afford or want a downtown apartment with an exclusive address, and most of the city can't afford to eat at the steak house, at least regularly. Most won't stay at the hotel or pay to put up their family there. I just don't think the average citizen gets as gooie about these projects and some of the posters on this site.

When they discover the restaurants and bars in the lobby they will realize they had no idea that building was being remodeled into high end apartments and hotel rooms.

Just look at OKCTalk’s social media numbers. Most can’t afford the places Pete shares on that feed, but the reach is amazing.

Remember when a tweet went viral a year or two ago about someone who just discovered they were building a park downtown, and a convention center? Late to the party.

When they discover the restaurants and bars in the lobby they will realize they had no idea that building was being remodeled into high end apartments and hotel rooms.

Just look at OKCTalk’s social media numbers. Most can’t afford the places Pete shares on that feed, but the reach is amazing.

Remember when a tweet went viral a year or two ago about someone who just discovered they were building a park downtown, and a convention center? Late to the party.

So, if the social media numbers are great then many shouldn't be surprised or unaware.

So, if the social media numbers are great then many shouldn't be surprised or unaware.

Well, no one has seen the finished inside of this place, have they? Looks like a construction site to me.

All the glass in front of parking garage ramp is now installed except the missing piece and the two untinted pieces to I assume be replaced.

Well, no one has seen the finished inside of this place, have they? Looks like a construction site to me.

So, you are saying they are unaware of the project, or of the way the project looks? Not following. None of us has seen other than construction pics and drawings. So I guess we ALL are unaware.

1685516854
Credit VelocityOKC for these. Between Gary Brooks Instagram page and the occasional article there have been a few leaks of interior looks.

oh wow, I'd totally live there.

Left apartment, right hotel?

Left apartment, right hotel?

Correct Shawnw,



https://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16855&d=1620925450

Imagine the gourmet meals you could produce in that kitchen layout--fit for TV production right from your own apartment.

Chef Justin Wilson (God rest his soul) would have marveled over this layout.

So, you are saying they are unaware of the project, or of the way the project looks? Not following. None of us has seen other than construction pics and drawings. So I guess we ALL are unaware.

Whatever, I am done. You are right Rover, just like always. You are arguing just to argue.

Correct Shawnw,



https://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16855&d=1620925450

Imagine the gourmet meals you could produce in that kitchen layout--fit for TV production right from your own apartment.

Chef Justin Wilson (God rest his soul) would have marveled over this layout.

Looks very nice but that fixture tho. Like a dental office

does anybody recall what flag will fly for the hotel portion? I really hope we get an exclusive like a Ritz or Four Seasons or even Conrad. ..

From Tietsort LLC which is the glass contractor:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc051421.jpg

noice.

I wonder if the missing or clear "panels" are meant to be that way for ventilation.

Anyway, the glass curtain does show that this 'new' building could also be converted to office at some point. :)

This is a display in what will be the concourse in this project; photo from Tietsort LLC, the glass contractor:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc051921a.jpg

I love history displays like that, I am glad they are doing that.

Just as I was graduating from business school at OU in 1982, I interviewed at First National Bank to be part of their management training program.

I ended up taking another job, but I believe that was the last round of hiring for that program which had spanned decades. Around the same time, the oil industry plummeted, Penn Square Bank collapsed and before long the once-mighty First National Bank went into a death spiral and was sold. The surviving bank (First Interstate) then moved to the newly-opened Leadership Square around 1985 and the Great Banking Hall was empty and it's remained that way until hopefully later this year. That's more than 35 years.

Still, it was fun to interview with various parties and see the inside workings of that bank, something I would have never seen otherwise. Didn't know at the time it would all come crumbling down very quickly.

The garage windows that were missing or not tinted are getting fixed today. Thought those with OCD might need to know this

Lol