I’ve been fortunate enough to be a guest for dinner the past couple of nights at Tellers and all I can say is wow. So far for me the highlight has been the yellowfin tuna, but I haven’t had a single item that wasn’t pretty special. The tuna was the single best entree I’ve eaten in recent memory. The ambiance is like few if any restaurants in the U.S..

I have enjoyed quite a few conversations with Apicii’s V.P. of Operations at this point, and even their NYC-based team is somewhat mindblown by the space they’re in. He compared it favorably to Grand Central Terminal, saying that is one of the few buildings in the U.S. that invites comparison.

This building (and the F&B options, as they come online) puts OKC in some rare air that I think we don’t yet fully appreciate.

Really cool to hear that from someone else as it’s the same comparison I’ve always used.

Booked a room at the hotel in the first week of June. Didn't know when it was going to be opened, but it popped up on the Marriott website and we booked it. A lot cheaper than I originally thought it would be. Sub $250 per night.

^

Hotel opens April 12th.

^

Hotel opens April 12th.

Staying there for our anniversary on the 14th with dinner at Tellers :)

Snuck in the side door along park last night and checked it out. Pictures don’t do it justice. It’s always been the most impressive space in the state, glad it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves.

I notice the exterior lights turn off around 10pm which is kind of a bummer for how early that is. Perhaps it has something to do with the penthouses up there.

I notice the exterior lights turn off around 10pm which is kind of a bummer for how early that is. Perhaps it has something to do with the penthouses up there.

Sad.

The underground connection near banc first is open. The skywalk access to renaissance office building still has the temp wall up.
I was too afraid to go explore but the underground door entrance was unlocked.

It's all open to the public. Went in through the UG and was encouraged by security to head up to the banking hall to check it out

Breakfast, lunch AND dinner at Tellers starting tomorrow (4/12). Entry from Robinson has been open for several days, from Park Avenue, from Broadway AND from the alley for a couple of weeks now. If someone wants to see the place there’s really nothing stopping them from doing so.

I had a beautiful 25 oz ribeye this evening and a couple of wonderful rye old fashioneds. Come on in, the water’s fine.

Nice urbanized. I can't wait to partake on my next visit to the city.

Correction my ribeye was only 24 ounces…I was in a meat coma and didn’t catch my typo. Thank goodness there wasn’t another ounce or I might not have survived.

really must have been good. Can't wait! :)

Mentioned in Forbes’ Travel section (https://www.forbes.com/sites/ramseyqubein/2022/03/05/77-new-hotels-around-the-world-opening-this-spring/)detailing top hotels opening in the U.S. this spring.

Went to lunch at tellers today and walked the project. Got a chance to chat with Gary Brooks as well. It’s more amazing in person. Pictures don’t do it justice.

Signage on the way.

The 1st sign will be illuminated.

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Are they going to leave the front like that with the white paint and the OSB and the pallets and the filthy windows?!?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

sorry, couldn't resist.

lol

Are they going to leave the front like that with the white paint and the OSB and the pallets and the filthy windows?!?
I mean, it's Gary Brooks...he might be the worst developer OKC has ever had!

I mean, it's Gary Brooks...he might be the worst developer OKC has ever had!

Apparently you don’t know Rainey Williams!

These are from Tietsort Design, a local glass manufacturer:

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Dry Bar is opening a spot near the barbershop and the future Plenty spot.

All those businesses can only be accessed from the gallery (internal corridor on the ground floor) where Lucchese will also have frontage from Park Avenue with an entrance from the street as well as the gallery.

When I toured the apartments, the guide also mentioned a King Ranch store was planned near the Lucchese store.

Took a tour over the weekend. These are easily the most luxurious mass-scale apartments in the city. It gives you a true downtown living vibe.

When I toured the apartments, the guide also mentioned a King Ranch store was planned near the Lucchese store.

Yes, I believe right next to it.

Really doubling-down on the western wear theme.

Why all the Western garb? We're not Ft. Worth. I wish Teena Hicks Company would move her mens shop from the Oklahoma tower to the FN but I'm sure her rent would go up.

Why all the Western garb? We're not Ft. Worth. I wish Teena Hicks Company would move her mens shop from the Oklahoma tower to the FN but I'm sure her rent would go up.

I don’t believe there is any spaces left in FNC besides maybe one of the small spaces by barber shop.

A good space for her to move to (if they wanted street access) would be the old midfirst location on park Ave. knock out the walls to open the space up and you’d have glass store front along Park in heart of downtown
That would be a win if they ever decided to move.

A good space for her to move to (if they wanted street access) would be the old midfirst location on park Ave. knock out the walls to open the space up and you’d have glass store front along Park in heart of downtown
That would be a win if they ever decided to move.
Love this idea! It would surely boost her store's visibility.

Why all the Western garb? We're not Ft. Worth. I wish Teena Hicks Company would move her mens shop from the Oklahoma tower to the FN but I'm sure her rent would go up.

LOL. We’re OKC…if you don’t think there’s a local and tourism market for western stuff here similar to Fort Worth or that there isn’t a massive historical association to western culture here… then we might need to call a rescue crew in to pull you out from the rock you’ve been stuck under.

From a tourism/traveler perspective, the hotel at First National should be one of our largest tourist and business traveler draws downtown and among the reasons people stay in downtown OKC: Two of our largest museums are dedicated to western and Native American culture, the largest companies downtown are oil and gas companies, many people come to OKC for western type concerts or events between the paycom/convention center or the state fair grounds, and the largest cattle market in the US is three miles away at the stockyards. We have as much, if not more, from a western perspective than Fort Worth does.

Anecdotally, while at Cowboy Ranch with friends a few weeks ago, I met a large group of young professionals from Toronto who were in town for a convention. They specifically wanted to go there while they were in town to ride a mechanical bull and two step to country music because that’s one of the activities they thought of when they heard they were coming to OKC. The mechanical bull guy (which I hope he puts as his title on business cards) was out sick that night and they were all massively disappointed that they couldn’t do it because they’d been looking forward to it so much. On another occasion, a friend of mine who lived out in California was dating Rudy Giuliani’s daughter and brought her back to meet his family in OKC. She’s the complete opposite of her dad on the political/cultural spectrum so when my friend asked if I wanted to go out with them and for ideas on what we could do to show her a good time here..i naturally thought of the Jones Assembly and other bars/restaurants downtown. We went to those places and she said verbatim “well these places are really cool but we have stuff like this in LA, can we go somewhere that’s more cowboy/western?” So i took them to Cowboys (where there’s a dance floor right next to a live bull riding ring) and she thought it was the coolest thing ever.

When you have that type of association, you embrace the hell out of it especially when many of your hotel guests and those from hotels nearby will be looking for it.

I could not agree more with PhiAlpha.
The western culture is a prominent part of OKC. Nothing bad with that. I moved here years ago and when some friends or family come visit us from France. Cowboys OKC on Meridian with the Real Bull riding and mechanical bulls is always a part of the stops. Same with the Wichita Mountains day trip to check longhorn and buffaloes.

^

I've said many times that Texas does a great job in marketing its western heritage.

It's a big part of what is truly unique about Oklahoma, as well as the Native Americans and their cultures.

OKC is rapidly becoming an extension of the Texas Triangle. We should capitalize on that and the Western theme (along with our First Nations') to create a unique experience that is OKC - similar but different; worthy of tourism in its own right.

In fact, perhaps OKC could market itself position in competition with the Texas cities, something like you can experience all of what they have and more - in OKC.

As to topic, I am excited about the offerings coming to Park Ave but I agree that it shouldn't just be a Western theme but high street shoppes. We could get Stockyard's City to be the Western Theme hotspot; it actually needs love moreso than downtown.

OKC is rapidly becoming an extension of the Texas Triangle. We should capitalize on that and the Western theme (along with our First Nations') to create a unique experience that is OKC - similar but different; worthy of tourism in its own right.

IMO more First Nations, less Western. They go hand in hand but the Native American history in OK is really unique.

^ agreed.

Discover Oklahoma is going to do a segment on it on Sat at 6:30, Ch. 4.

Not sure what it is but the east side in the area near the stairs going down to the underground connector has smelled like body odor since the building opened to public a few weeks ago.

Has anyone else walked thru there and smelled it?

Not sure what it is but the east side in the area near the stairs going down to the underground connector has smelled like body odor since the building opened to public a few weeks ago.

Has anyone else walked thru there and smelled it?

Yeah but I only noticed it when someone passed by me going down those stairs as I was walking up. What do you look like?

Yeah but I only noticed it when someone passed by me going down those stairs as I was walking up. What do you look like?

Lol. I was going up as well. Myself and others I have been with have noticed it almost every time we walked thru there.

Yeah but I only noticed it when someone passed by me going down those stairs as I was walking up. What do you look like?

Hahahahehehehe . . . LMAO! Needed a good laugh to begin my day. You know PhiAlpha is joking Downtown Man.

Seriously, basements are going to smell with the recent moisture buildup and the fact that many are damp with the events of recent rains. The aroma gets better as you venture toward the food areas throughout the metro-concourse.

Everyone should go check out the First National Building. We had drinks at Tellers last night and that Great Room is exceptional. The bar in the bank vault downstairs isn't open yet....The Mint is another bar just off the Great Room but it was empty. Not sure the difference between the two. We came in from Robinson Avenue - not much signage. I'm not sure where the other shops are. If you have guests from out of town - take them here!!

Everyone should go check out the First National Building. We had drinks at Tellers last night and that Great Room is exceptional. The bar in the bank vault downstairs isn't open yet....The Mint is another bar just off the Great Room but it was empty. Not sure the difference between the two. We came in from Robinson Avenue - not much signage. I'm not sure where the other shops are. If you have guests from out of town - take them here!!

The Mint is a private bar, according to what I was told during a tour. My understanding is that it will usually only be open for private events in which it's rented out. During my tour, I commented that such a plan seems to waste a really nice bar area and the guy said he would be surprised if it stays as a private event bar for long.

The Mint is a private bar, according to what I was told during a tour. My understanding is that it will usually only be open for private events in which it's rented out. During my tour, I commented that such a plan seems to waste a really nice bar area and the guy said he would be surprised if it stays as a private event bar for long.

the mint was built to be a separate bar open at night ... that plan is on hold for now .. once they staff and open the library of spirits (vault bar) in early june and the steak house (stock and bond) in august then they will look into opening the mint as an additional concept ..

the mint was built to be a separate bar open at night ... that plan is on hold for now .. once they staff and open the library of spirits (vault bar) in early june and the steak house (stock and bond) in august then they will look into opening the mint as an additional concept ..

Excellent. I wonder if they changed plans or if I misunderstood the gentleman giving me the tour. I recall he mentioned The Beacon and The Mint as two private bars off the Great Hall, but I may be recalling incorrectly.

Excellent. I wonder if they changed plans or if I misunderstood the gentleman giving me the tour. I recall he mentioned The Beacon and The Mint as two private bars off the Great Hall, but I may be recalling incorrectly.

the beacon was always designed to just be event space..

Everyone should go check out the First National Building. We had drinks at Tellers last night and that Great Room is exceptional. The bar in the bank vault downstairs isn't open yet....The Mint is another bar just off the Great Room but it was empty. Not sure the difference between the two. We came in from Robinson Avenue - not much signage. I'm not sure where the other shops are. If you have guests from out of town - take them here!!

Don't mean to be negative as the great hall is a very unique room in OKC, but my experience at Tellers was less than stellar. We were seated on the inward tables by the teller cages. The sound was really echoing that evening and the redundant rhythmic music beat undertones overrode the music. It was not pleasant. They need to work out some issues.

The dinner menu was limited and my wife had the branzino which had very little taste. I had the Ribeye and it came on the cool side of lukewarm. I had a glass of wine but my wife had no drink. The total bill was about $170. Oh, and we were there for just at an hour before our meal finally came.

The manager that night was nice about the situation with the branzino and offered to comp another glass of wine, which I accepted, but which showed up on my bill. Not cool.

I'm hoping things get better.

^^ Comical.

^^ Comical.

??

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The bar in the bank vault(Library of Distilled Spirits) opens tomorrow:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=46967&p=1204794#post1204794

I would like to go down there this weekend and just walk in and check it out. Is there any public space in the building that I should make sure and not miss, or is it pretty much the main banking lobby and that's it?

I would like to go down there this weekend and just walk in and check it out. Is there any public space in the building that I should make sure and not miss, or is it pretty much the main banking lobby and that's it?

Great Hall and downstairs (Library of Distilled Spirits).

You can also walk the entire gallery (internal hallway) from Robinson to Broadway.

Those are about the only places you can access.

Great Hall and downstairs (Library of Distilled Spirits).

You can also walk the entire gallery (internal hallway) from Robinson to Broadway.

Those are about the only places you can access.

Well, that's good enough for me. I hear the Great Hall is spectacular.

Well, that's good enough for me. I hear the Great Hall is spectacular.

It's GREAT!

I would like to go down there this weekend and just walk in and check it out. Is there any public space in the building that I should make sure and not miss, or is it pretty much the main banking lobby and that's it?

Great Hall and downstairs (Library of Distilled Spirits).

You can also walk the entire gallery (internal hallway) from Robinson to Broadway.

Those are about the only places you can access.
If you visit during one of the open house events that they’ve been having on weekends (https://www.facebook.com/events/382660153833459/) you can also tour the resident amenities on 14.

You’re also likely to be shown places currently being used for private events, such as The Mint (which will eventually be another bar open to the public) and another event area that will remain such. Both are side halls off of the Great Banking Hall, and honestly you can typically stick your head into either during non-programmed times without scorn or harassment.

The pool deck may or may not be shown on the tour as it has been closed for some final detailing, furniture install, and (I believe) some final setup on the pool itself.

I haven't been there myself, but a C-Suite level exec from my company was here from Dallas for OU graduation and went to Tellers. He had nothing but good things to say and told me i HAD to go there. This particular guy is insanely well known in the Dallas executive scene (but i'm not going to give away his name), so if he's willing to recommend it by word of mouth then I take that as stellar recommendation. He said the inside of the place was amazing.

Progress for the remaining retail and restaurant tenants.

The first photo is of the Gilded Acorn. They were supposed to open on Monday but the Oklahoman reported today that they are waiting on chairs.

Second image will be an additional location for Plenty.

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stock and bond has been pushed to late sept ... but that is not a firm date ..

Nail salon going in just west of Lucchese, facing Park.

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It all looks very "specialty". Fumeless nails, styling only hair salon, a bootmaker. I mean, do these kinds of places have staying power or are they just sort of a unique add to put there at opening?

I don't work downtown, so this is an honest question here. Are there so many people working downtown in boots that would a) want specialty made boots from here and b) could afford that? If they are targeting the visiting horse people, wouldn't they just go to Langston's in Cowtown or Boot Barn, both of which are closer and don't involve paid parking.

Similar question on the salon. I mean i get it that no one is going to the middle of the CBD to get their hard cut and colored during the work day. It's a 45 minute service event that lasts 3-5 days. So same honest question, is there really a market for this downtown? Are they maybe counting on the "oops, i have a big event today and its just not working, i need some help to jazz up my hair today" crowd? And are there enough of those out there for that?

Now fumeless nails....if that works, i'll spread the word to my wife LOL. That one's a keeper.

Don't get me wrong here, i'm excited to see businesses going in. I just hope they have staying power. What's worse than an empty retail spot? One that can't sustain any businesses. That generally starts a decline in the quality of the businesses going in as well, and that's a decline the space doesn't need. I realize that's a crazy leap at this point, I'm just making a point about sustainability of the retail.