Bowling alley coming to Lower Bricktown; condos pre-sold

Developer announces new tenants

By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer

A 10-lane bowling alley and lounge, and a Starbucks coffee shop were unveiled as anchor tenants Thursday in what will be the newest addition to Lower Bricktown: "The Centennial on the Canal."

The previously announced, $14.3 million, 30-unit condominium project will begin construction May 1, with an opening by summer 2007, developer Randy Hogan said.

"We've been to major cities, and we're trying to match the top amenities being offered," Hogan said. "We're opening in 2007 -- and bringing a new level of residential product to Oklahoma City as the state enters its second century. ... To get people from Houston and Dallas up here to look at this area and see their faces will be kind of fun."

Plans show the five-story building will include the 12,000-square-foot 10-lane Kingpin Bowling Lounge and Starbucks on the canal level, with more retail spaces available on a street-level walkway similar to those found along the northern segment of the Bricktown Canal.

"This will give visitors another thing to do when they're out eating or seeing a movie," Hogan said. "The trend now is not just people who are in leagues, but for those who just want to go out and have a fun time, and not worry about scores."

Inspired by loft developments in Los Angeles, Hogan said The Centennial will include a 10-foot by 40-foot lap pool and patio on the roof.

"It's really for the ambiance as it is for anything else," Hogan said. "Residents will be able to have private parties up there, with an incredible view of downtown. Bricktown will have something you can only find in cities like Dallas and Denver."

Hogan said 11 of the 30 condominiums have been reserved by buyers -- a threshold he cited early on as necessary before starting construction. Hogan said prices range from $305,000 to $595,000 -- and two of the top-priced units are among those already reserved.

The residences will include 30 storage units and a secured 62-space underground parking garage. The units, ranging in size from 1,100 to 2,000 square feet, will each have a balcony facing either the east, north, or west.

With construction starting on The Centennial, Hogan will have one last major pad site left to develop as part of Urban Renewal project -- an 11,000-square-foot spot between Harkins Theatres and Toby Keith's I Love this Bar & Grill.

Hogan said he hopes to attract some more retail shops to the street-level storefronts of The Centennial before developing the final pad.

"We're really wanting to get just the right mix," Hogan said.

Hogan estimates total investment in Lower Bricktown will top $75 million. Construction is continuing on a 151-room Residence Inn that is scheduled to open by early 2007. Other additions over the past two years have included a Bass Pro Shops store, Sonic headquarters, the theater, shops and restaurants.

Before construction of the canal as part of the city's Metropolitan Area Projects, the area was a decaying industrial area littered with debris and several empty buildings.

"This really starts to complete the circle," said Frank Sims, director of the Bricktown Association. "We've been looking for this kind of development to start up for years."

Sims said he is also excited by Hogan's success at luring buyers for the condominiums -- among the most expensive of several projects planned for downtown.

"To have eleven units committed before ground is broken shows the interest that is out there for urban living," Sims said. "And with the restaurants, clubs and various venues, we will some real consistency as a district that is going 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

I love the smell of fresh EIFS in the morning! :rolleyes:

One more pad site? Ridiculous. How about developing the parking lot in front of Bass Pro Shop.

BTW, bowling alleys are pretty original and urban for sure. I don't know of any suburban area that has one.

Oh well, at least the 5 story building will have a parking garage for the residents. I guess that's about as urban as we're going to get.

I still think Randy should build more than 30 condos.

BTW, Bricktown 2000's investment was going to be close to $300 million, so I don't think $75 million is all that much.

At least bowling will provide something else to do other than the restaurants and movies.

Frankly, considering the rest of LB, this is probably the best we could hope for.

http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/

This is more what the owners have in mind...not a suburban bowling alley.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MalibuSooner

At least bowling will provide something else to do other than the restaurants and movies.

Frankly, considering the rest of LB, this is probably the best we could hope for.

---

I'm in agreement. Much better than I would have expected.

I love the idea of the Bricktown bowling lounge.
Anybody who doesn't think it's an "urban" thing has never been to 10 PIN in downtown Chicago. Awesome.

I agree with more than 30 condos. You would think with 11 already pre-sold, Hogan would take that into consideration and start adding more.

At least that is what I would be thinking.

True, I've never been to 10 pin. Can someone describe it a little more?

BTW, what happened to the other pad over by Bass Pro Shop? It's #9 on the map....

http://lowerbricktown.com/space.php

It really bothers me that the three top floors will be all stucco -- no brick whatsoever.

Considering he's planning to charge $300 per square foot for condos, he sure is using cheap materials on the outside.


Just a big, square stucco box.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MalibuSooner

It really bothers me that the three top floors will be all stucco -- no brick whatsoever.

Considering he's planning to charge $300 per square foot for condos, he sure is using cheap materials on the outside.


Just a big, square stucco box.

---

He's in this to make money, what do you expect? He essentially got the land for free, so we as tax payers are giving him his fortune. Plus, he doesn't have to abide by Bricktown restrictions. I will admit, this will sure look out of place, with all of the brick buildings across the street, but it's just fitting in with the overall Lower Bricktown theme.

The above all being said, there are some good points to be found in Hogan's Centennial. It's going to have canal level retail....I wish he would've done this below the movie theater and other buildings instead of putting up the concrete wall. Also, I like the idea of the underground parking garage. Finally, the swimming pool being on the roof is prett cool!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick

I wish he would've done this below the movie theater and other buildings instead of putting up the concrete wall. Also, I like the idea of the underground parking garage. Finally, the swimming pool being on the roof is prett cool!

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Amen.

Here's some pix from 10 pin Bowling Lounge in downtown Chicago...

http://www.chicago-scene.com/albimg/...n/IMG_0004.jpg
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http://www.chicago-scene.com/albimg/...n/IMG_0006.jpg
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http://www.chicago-scene.com/albimg/...n/IMG_0007.jpg
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http://www.chicago-scene.com/albimg/...n/IMG_0009.jpg
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http://www.chicago-scene.com/albimg/...n/IMG_0022.jpg
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http://www.chicago-scene.com/albimg/...n/IMG_0010.jpg
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Press page:http://www.10pinchicago.com/press.php

Description from 10 pin:
10pin redefines the bowling experience by combining a retro sport with a hip upscale lounge. located adjacent to the house of blues in landmark marina city, 10pin is 20,000 square feet of high energy fun. twenty four state-of-the-art lanes are topped by a 128-foot, high-definition video wall supported by a nightclub quality audio system. guests can enjoy all the action from the plush sofas and intimate seating areas of the lounge or can be served at laneside tables. this cutting edge bowling lounge offers an extensive martini list alongside a collection of small plates featuring innovative american cuisine designed to encourage sharing.

10pin draws an urban professional crowd who enjoy the combination of the sophisticated atmosphere and the fun of bowling. the hip scene and inventive menu attracts non-bowlers as well. the creative team behind 10pin is harry caray's restaurant group, one of chicago's most dynamic and successful management companies, and chicago's own sports & entertainment holdings with over 70 years of experience in the bowling industry.
http://www.10pinchicago.com

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Is this going to be affiliated with Kingpin Bowling Lounge out of Australia?

http://www.king-pin.com.au/

http://www.kingpinbowling.com.au/ric.../aboutmain.jpg

If so, it will be their first location outside of Oz.

The bowling alley will be something different to do when venturing downtown, but the amount of stucco on this building, especially given the per unit price is RE-F'N-DICULOUS! I hope he is given the same treatment the Hampton Inn was. I'd let it slide if one or two upper floors were the EIFS crap.

Randy Hogan wouldn't know how to develop water if he was in the middle of the ocean. :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John

I hope he is given the same treatment the Hampton Inn was.

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He won't be given the same treatment because he doesn't have to answer to the Bricktown Urban Design Committee. It lies outside of the official Bricktown area.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick

He won't be given the same treatment because he doesn't have to answer to the Bricktown Urban Design Committee. It lies outside of the official Bricktown area.

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They shouldn't leech off of Bricktown's name if they aren't subject to the same guidelines.

Maybe a name change is in order. LoCa (lower canal)?

I actually think the name fits right....it's a lot lower quality than Bricktown.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick

I actually think the name fits right....it's a lot lower quality than Bricktown.

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:bow:

Perhaps we can get them to include 'quality' in the official name!

BTW, there's a place here in LA called Lucky Strike that is very similar to 10 Pin and the other place I linked to in Australia.

It's hugely popular...

There is a definite trend towards up-scale, urban bowling 'lounges' and if that is what this turns out to be (likely) then it will be a great addition to the area.

Since they are planning to start consturction in May, I guess we'll know more soon.

All I got to say is maybe someone should give props where it's due...

http://www.okctalk.com/10692-post80.html

Midtowner, you're a genius!

And just for a refresher on how this could be cooler...

http://www.majesticdetroit.com/index.asp

I agree that bowling is fine as long as it is done right. At this point, I can't imagine it being done right. If Hogan has actually been to some big cities like he said, then he has not used anything he has seen so far in his developments and I am not going to expect him to do so with this. If he does, good, I'll be surprised and I'll even bowl at his place, but I fully expect him to build a small Brunkswick right on the canal. He has compromised with everything else and I doubt he'll do it right this time. I'm not even expecting the pool to actually happen. Basically, if it's cool, I doubt he'll actually do it.

BDP, I agree with you. Unfortunately, when I think of Hogan and bowling, I don't think of this 10 pin that's being mentioned. I think of an old smokey bowling alley out in the suburb. I hope Hogan proves me wrong.

Hogan is merely the developer of the building...not the developer of the bowling lounge business. The developers of the bowling lounge have been working on this idea for a couple of years. The concept they are doing is similar to the cool places that have been mentioned on this thread.

I'm a little lost by your comment. Hogan is overseeing the entire Lower Bricktown development. That means he picks and chooses his tenants. The reason we have a suburban movie theater, large big box fishing store with a massive parking lot, and 1 story restaurant buildings and weak restaurants is because Hogan brought them there.

i like this idea.

Wow, you are adding cheap fake stucco apartments built over a bowling alley to "Lower" Bricktown. So, now you have Toby Keith's (who has a new album coming out called "White Trash with Money", Bass Pro, a Bowling Alley, a huge multi-plex and a Starbucks. How Urban and upscale!

Oh, urban and upscale must be the Starbuck's...........Do all the surface lots make sure the spaces are wide enough for the f-350 pickups?

Really awesome!

I think maybe you should start protesting and having a drive to get more people to be active in local politics. What do you think?

Tulsa's political climate might be harsh, but at least questions are asked and issues are raised. I don't think anyone is watching over anything in OKC. You people are getting screwed, badly, and you don't even see it.

What percentage was your congressman (oh wait, mayor, got ahead of myself) reelected with? Do you think maybe some of these items and the problems you have with the urban renewal authority might be laid at the feet of the mayor, and city governace as a whole, and the very few that vote just vote lockstepped with what the Dissapointment tells you to think?

Bricktown was cool once upon a time, you need to take back your city from people that are only out for a buck and don't care about the result.

Ouch! Why the hostile tone? Did someone in this thread say something irritable?

Not, it's just maddening to read from afar "oh well" on everything that's done and then see the numbers on the recent elections be so high, I think there is a connection, don't you? You are the ones that should be hostile.

Ok. Thanks for your advice.

Cornett is a great mayor. He has great plans for the future of Oklahoma City and he has done an excellent job luring new businesses and the NBA to OKC. I don't think the people here have taken an "oh well" attitude about Lower Bricktown's less-than-Bricktown-quality development- have you seen how many threads there are that are places to complain about Randy Hogan, or the post that was organizing an investigation on OCURA? I don't think that's passiveness.

And Bricktown is still very cool; even Lower Bricktown adds several entertainment options that are not available in an average downtowns. The parking lots are all developable, and when I-40 moves the parking lot behind Harkins (which basically borders I-40, if it doesn't go directly beneath it) will be in excellent condition for a large development. The residential project is small when compared with other residential developments going on downtwon but it's the best quality project for LB so far; the bowling alley is yet another entertainment option on the canal and it will have two levels of retail- finally connecting to the urban feeling of upper Bricktown.

I will have to go wtih swake on this one, while he may be putting an ultra-pessimistic tone to his comments I agree for the most part.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swake

I don't think anyone is watching over anything in OKC. You people are getting screwed, badly, and you don't even see it.

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Oh, we're watching. It's just OCURA isn't much different from the maphia.

ok, you don't like OCURA, where do they come from, who appoints them and make the rules for them?

The city, mostly the mayor..........and how big an issue was any of this in your mayors campign?

Your mayor also has likely just traded support for Istook (one of the worst congressmen of all time) in the governs race for Istook's support in a congressional race that would mean you have relected a mayor that intended to serve less than ONE year of this current term. It's slimy all the way around. OCURA is just another example.

Your city, but is all this worth a two year visit from an NBA team that may well have ended up in OKC anyway?

swake thanks for gracing us with your wisdom yet again

no problem

One has to remember, many of the people on the OCURA board were appointed by mayors of the past. Sure, the current mayor could boot all of the current OCURA off, but I don't think that would make him too popular. THe ordinary OKCian has no clue about the real story behind OCURA.

Swake is the biggest Tulsa troll on the internet. He does not mean to offer criticism. He hates OKC. He is the biggest pro Tulsa homer on the web.

Congrats Swake! You are the man.

Look, mayor could have fired, didin't, his fault.


And, tell me I'm wrong on the Istook deal. slimy, et all......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swake

Look, mayor could have fired, didin't, his fault.


And, tell me I'm wrong on the Istook deal. slimy, et all......

---

I actually completely agree with you swake.

It's funny, but I agree with Shane AND some of the pessimism. There is no question that what little real authority the Mayor has was not used effectively during Mick's first term. He DID have an opportunity to change the face of OCURA and the future of Oklahoma City and took a pass. No, it wouldn't have made him popular with some, but it's not his job to be popular, it's to advance the interests of Oklahoma City. The re-election bid and win was wrong if Mick really had his eye on the 5th. With all that said however, there IS still a certain momentum of popular interest in what is happening downtown/Bricktown/LowerBrick, etc. The problem is lack of vision for the FUTURE and the risk of "resting on our laurels." I am optimistic, but a bit jaded with some of the decisions to not make decisions (if that makes sense). While we have every right to be excited at the potential and build on the magnificent progress - we must not let the good 'ole boy network use the prior success to only benefit themselves at the expense of the greater interest of our city.

Bumps along the road, it's certainly not unique to Oklahoma City, but we need to mix the optimism of Shane (in his post above) with the critical eye of watchdogs interested in not allowing backrooms to selfishly hinder future progress.

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This is very important for OKC, and if the mayor does leave for congress, urban renewal should be the topic for the upcoming mayor.

Why?

What happens when the crosstown is moved? Lots of land, lots of chances for greatness. But, my guess would be if the current thinking prevails for urban renewal you will just have big box hell.

Sam's/Wal-Mart combo anyone? Hey the idiot LaFortune in Tulsa tried to do that to the East Village in downtown Tulsa, he almost got it donw. It easily could happen in OKC. Don't let it happen.

I actually agree with Swake. Urban renewal should be a top priority for the Mayor.

This is a great website on Urban life and Suburban Life.
http://www.newurbanism.org

I too agree with Swake on his points in this thread, but he is still the biggest Tulsa homer on the web... which is a good thing for some.

Swake makes some points, but it is also a very limited view. I hate Lower Bricktown and Hogan as much as the next guy. But that is not the focus of downtown Oklahoma City. It gets a lot of attention because it was a blank canvas that could have been anything and it sucks. Hogan screwed it up, with the city setting the stage with Bass Pro. But it is really a small part of what is going on in terms of OKC’s renewal.

I actually think this new development is the first semi-right step he has made, if he does it right. Bowling alleys sound suburban blah at first, but they have made a huge comeback in many urban centers across the country. They do not cater to blue haired leaguers anymore, but are really very hip bars that happen to have bowling.

I think a problem is the stucco, but then again, slapping new brick on it will not make it look like bricktown, no matter what people think. Honestly, new brick on new buildings look like Edmond, not Bricktown. I think the bigger problem is that it is trying to mesh with a haphazardly planned development in the first place. Even if it was all brick it would be out of place now.

But the bigger picture is that Downtown OKC's urban renewal is not Lower Bricktown, but it is that plus:

Bricktown proper, (which should be seeing some new development on Main St when Walnut opens)
Bricktown Ballpark
The upper canal
The Skrivin
The Colcord
The Ford Center
The Civic Center
The OKCMOA
The Montgomery
Park-Harvey
The Hampton Inn
The Library
Automobile Alley
American Indian Cultural Center
Chesapeake Boathouse and related river activities

With others in line or possible:
The Triangle
The Hill
Mid-town
Tower Theater and Uptown
The Riverside Developments

Lower Bricktown is really just a small and unfortunate part of many spectacular and great things that have happened and are happening. The best part, really, is that OKC has gone from not being much of a city at all to being an extremely well rounded city for its size with many cultural and civic attractions, with many more to come. It is not just a case of building one attraction or facility, hoping it solve all problems, but it has been an act of building a city and it really has been very successful.

As much attention as bricktown and lower bricktown gets, I can honestly say that it's development and success (at least when you look at the numbers, it's a success) has changed my life in OKC the least. The others on that list have effected it and improved it much more. This doesn't mean we should relax on these incompetent developers who are pissing away opportunities to improve it even more, but it also doesn't mean that a stucco bowling alley undoes everything else OKC has done and is doing. They should be ashamed of what they are doing in light of what is going on around them and with what has been given to them, but ignoring the successes of true urban renewal that are happening is exactly what makes these people feel comfortable doing what they do.

The big picture is really that Lower Bricktown sucks more because of the new standards being set all over central OKC. Swake makes good points about what should be done in the future and where the priorities of leadership should lie. The best part, though, is that we actually have examples of what to do in the future.

In my opinion, OCURA, actually should try to not let any development happen in the new space that I-40 will create until greater density is created downtown. Let’s get all of our other assets to be used before we build more. Hotels would be the exception, as we still need more for all of the events we have been getting.

okclee, thanks for sharing that link.

After reading through the site, I ended up ordering several books on Smart Growth and New Urbanization.

I look forward to reading through them, as this is a subject that should be near and dear to any big civic booster.

I agree with BDP. In the long run, I don't think Lower Bricktown will mean as much to OKlahoma City in the future. I think the four most critical things that have come out of this phase of the city's development have been the Ford Center, Art Museum, canal, and river.

I know Lower Bricktown isn't as urban as we'd like it to be, but it could be worse. The landscaping and trees are nice in the summer and fall, and you have people going to downtown who probably wouldn't have. Teens without much money can go there and have a night on the town just as adults with real income can. They can afford Sonic and go to a movie. To them, this is an urban experience.

The tenants filled in some gaps. Earl's brought in a much-needed BBQ joint to Bricktown. We needed an ice cream shop as well. Toby Keith's is probably as Oklahoman as what we've been able to define what an Oklahoma food experience is. I don't care for how these look, but they're there.

Average people who don't think about OCURA and design aesthetic and Randy Hogan and urbanity don't think, notice, or care that Lower Bricktown is lower quality architecture and design than Bricktown. They simply see a movie theater, a restaurant owned by a music celebrity (whose name really transcends his country genre now, after the across-the-board popular Honky Tonk Budunkadunk), a nice plaza and fountain, a canal, cheaper places to eat, some with food options that weren't available before... We can still have fun and enjoy Lower Bricktown. It serves its purpose. It just seems terrible to people who actually think about what it should have looked like, or wish it would have looked different.

Actually, once the retail/condo building is done, the western end of Lower Bricktown will actually be pretty dense and nice. You'll have canal level retail, a building taller than the Harkins or Sonic (seems like it would make sense to design the new building as much like the Sonic building as possible), the fountain and plaza. And all this is what is closest to historic Bricktown.

That's a good point, jbrown. And it is a new development. No matter what kind of historic sheep's clothing they put on it, it will not be historic. And, in the end, all we can do is cross our fingers and hope that Hogan puts some thought into this one, which may actually be the focus of LB, achictectuarally, more so than anything else up to this point. And if retail does pan out, it could be the center of shopping for both districts.

Honestly, at this point, getting rid of black top instead of adding more brick should be our biggest concern. I don't think this one adds any more surface garbage. If he puts the parking underground, I'll have to at least give him a passing grade, even if it's a D.

At this point, I'd settle for more brick on the condo building.

Otherwise, I've more or less accepted the development for what it is and look forward to more visionary and innovative projects down the road.

I think it will be a major improvement to have a 5-story building there instead of a large, empty lot. Looks really out of place and it's right at the entryway to Bricktown and fronts the canal.

It's a nice development. I really like it, EIFS or no. The only thing I don't like is that it only has 30 units when it could double that and sell them just as quickly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shane453

The only thing I don't like is that it only has 30 units when it could double that and sell them just as quickly.

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It's clear to everyone that know Hogan has no concept of the potential of the lower canal area, as seen by the developments currently in place.

Future comments:
[Randy Hogan]Hey, why's everyone hanging out in the Arts Quarter, Automobile Alley, and MidTown?[/Randy Hogan]

:rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John

It's clear to everyone that know Hogan has no concept of the potential of the lower canal area, as seen by the developments currently in place.

Future comments:
[Randy Hogan]Hey, why's everyone hanging out in the Arts Quarter, Automobile Alley, and MidTown?[/Randy Hogan]

:rolleyes:

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I hear what you're saying , John. I certainly don't want to appear as an apologist for Randy Hogan, but in all fairness, there's no lack of people in Lower Bricktown. I don't think that will change. It's more of a "family" destination and I don't see that changing. Most of the complaints about LB are people like us who pay attention to urban design. The truth is most people in OKC think it's fine.

Quote:

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but in all fairness, there's no lack of people in Lower Bricktown.

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Which is very true. That's why we need to make sure we highlight the other successes that are more in tune with real urban design as much as we condemn people like Hogan. No one can say that a beter plan wouldn't have been even bigger and better drawing much more people. It almost makes you think "man, what if he'd actually done a nice development???"

I enjoy the people it brings and the subsequent energy it helps create, but I can't ever look at the Sonic parking lot which comes right up to within a few yards of the canal and think "is this really what we paid for?"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BDP

Which is very true. That's why we need to make sure we highlight the other successes that are more in tune with real urban design as much as we condemn people like Hogan. No one can say that a beter plan wouldn't have been even bigger and better drawing much more people. It almost makes you think "man, what if he'd actually done a nice development???"

I enjoy the people it brings and the subsequent energy it helps create, but I can't ever look at the Sonic parking lot which comes right up to within a few yards of the canal and think "is this really what we paid for?"

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So very true.

$305K for 1100 square feet? I'm shocked that they're so expensive, and even more shocked that so many are pre-sold. I've toyed with the idea of buying downtown, once supply began to ratchet up but, at these prices, that's one idea that has quickly fizzled away.

Any news on the amount of HOA dues?

Well, I've taken a closer look at the specs for the condos and, after looking at a map of the proposal, I realize they'll be right in the middle of things...

Wooden floors in the common rooms, 10' ceilings, granite countertops. Sounds nice, but not nearly spectacular (big crown and base, but painted=pine or synthetic, i.e. cheap). But nevermind that, it's location, location, location.

It's painful to admit, but $300K is beyond my reach. But wouldn't it be nice to walk next door to see a movie, and across the street to see a ballgame?

At the risk of repeating what's already been written here, if only there was a corner-deli/grocery... I suppose there will be, once the demand arises.

Quote:

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I'm shocked that they're so expensive, and even more shocked that so many are pre-sold.

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Yeah, but we don't really know how much they've actually sold for. Oklahoma is a bid-down market and these asking prices may have the built into them. After the closing prices begin hitting the market, we'll know how much they're really worth. I suspect they'll come down a bit.

I wonder if some are going to be leased by the owners...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BDP

I wonder if some are going to be leased by the owners...

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Whatever is worse for the city and Bricktown, I'm sure Hogan will be right on top of it! ;)

I have pics of the new signage for "THE CENTENNIAL" project up in my gallery. This signage is on the property until they break ground on next Monday, May 1st

Bowling ‘lounge’ set to strike Bricktown in October
by Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record July 18, 2007

http://journalrecord.com/_images/art...absbowling.jpg

OKLAHOMA CITY – Bricktown has entertainment, food, sports, shopping and soon, the district will add bowling to its list of attractions. But don’t call it a bowling alley.
This rendering shows the completed interior of RedPin Bowling Lounge, an “upscale” restaurant set for completion in Bricktown in October. (Courtesy rendering)

This rendering shows the completed interior of RedPin Bowling Lounge, an “upscale” restaurant set for completion in Bricktown in October. (Courtesy rendering)

Any association with a traditional bowling alley – complete with plastic chairs and the ubiquitous pitcher of beer – will have little to no place in what is being billed as an upscale bowling lounge and restaurant.

Construction on The RedPin Bowling Lounge, led by a group of local investors and managing partners Shawn and Erin Brewer, will begin next week.

David Wanzer, a design team member with J3 Architecture, which created the look of RedPin, said the developers wanted a chic, upscale bowling and dining area similar to some that have been popping up around the country.

“They don’t call them bowling alleys anymore,” Wanzer said. “They’re bowling lounges or boutique bowling, where the emphasis is on great food and an upscale social experience.”

The bowling lounge will be 12,000 square feet, offer 10 bowling lanes, a 60-foot video wall and will be able to hold about 220 people.
Work is set to begin next week by Jacobs Contracting with a targeted opening date in mid-October.

RedPin will also have a view of the Bricktown Canal from its space on the canal level of the $14.3 million Centennial on the Canal loft and retail project now under construction.

Wanzer said the project has been in the works for several years and ended up including a design team made up of J3, Fitzsimmons Architects and Tandem Design Studio. He said the investors and the designers wanted to create a cool evening spot as well as a place where families might stop by and bowl during the day and a spot desirable for corporate functions.

Some of the other features will include custom-designed bowling shoes available for rent and comfortable lounge furniture at the lanes.

Thanks for the update Malibu. At least we know what date they're targeting now. I know it was originally set to open later this month. I imagine the Starbucks will be somewhere in the Oct./Nov. range as well.

This will be VERY cool.

It really is a cool concept and similar places have become very popular here in L.A. and elsewhere.

It's something completely new for the area and there is nothing like it in OKC, so it will be a real asset to Bricktown/downtown.

I love bowling...But I hate most bowling alleys....So I'll be all over this place.

Yea, Buddy...I hate those trashy "alleys" but I'm all about a "Boutique Bowling".

Quiet you...I'm being elitist here. :P

Most the people that go to these places don't even bowl... It's more of a club/lounge than anything, especially later at night.

Looks pretty darn classy...Very cool

Let's hope they keep the most classy aspects of traditional bowling alleys like

$5 pitchers

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It's something completely new for the area

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And, imo, that's what BT and LB should be all about. There isn't much point to doing this long term if it's not attracting new options for the area.

I am actually excited about this. To me, 66 Bowl will always have its place, but this will be a new and interesting concept for Lower Bricktown and, more importantly, the city. If it works, then maybe some of the developers down there will realize that new concepts can work in the district.

The renderings look very nice, but I wish there were more than 10 lanes. There's not enough to do in Bricktown, and now there still won't be enough to do in Bricktown after the lanes are full, say...about 10 minutes after opening.

"Well, we're full right now but I can put you on the waiting list. You're number 138. We'll give you a call as soon as your lane is available."

I agree AFCM. I think the place will be constantly packed on nights and weekends. Oh well, perhaps it will spur interest in another downtown bowling lounge, perhaps in the CBD somewhere.

Most of these places don't have dozens of lanes... As I mentioned, they become more of a lounge and club than anything else, with the bowling as backdrop.

Here's another article:



Thu July 19, 2007
RedPin lounge strikes new entertainment

Construction is expected to start next week in Bricktown on the RedPin Bowling Lounge. The lounge will offer a new atmosphere for bowlers with 10 lanes for action.

By Trisha Evans
Business Writer


Hoping to capitalize on the recent bowling renaissance, a group of investors are bringing a new entertainment concept to downtown Oklahoma City.

Construction is expected to begin next week on RedPin Bowling Lounge in the basement of the Centennial Building in Bricktown. The 12,000 square-foot space includes a restaurant and bar with 10 bowling lanes.


But don't count on the typical, beer-and-cigarettes, deep-fried food kind of bowling alley. This is posh bowling.

"RedPin promises a unique entertainment experience incorporating contemporary dining, an upscale environment, and the excitement of bowling,” said architect David Wanzer. "We're designing a space that exceeds expectations from a 60-foot video wall at the end of the lanes to couches and cocktail tables in place of the usual plastic furniture. With full dining service throughout, RedPin will truly be a destination unto itself.”

And it's a concept majority owner Erin Brewer said Bricktown needs.

"There are really not a lot of entertainment options for people who aren't interested in going to a club or a bar,” with the exception of Harkins Theatre next door, she said. "We thought dinner and bowling made sense.”

The bowling market is hot right now. Combo restaurant bowling spots have exploded, pioneered by Lucky Strike, which opened its first bowling lounge in 2003, and since has opened a dozen more.

Brewer saw a similar Florida bowling lounge in a magazine three years ago, but seeing the crowds firsthand convinced her.

"They were really popular places,” Brewer said. "It's so new and different. It's just really unique. There's nothing else like it in the state.”

But bowling as the "hip” thing to do is far from new, she said.

"Bowling was really popular in the '20s and '30s,” she said. "It was kind of a martini bar kind of place then, so we're really kind of getting back to its roots.”

And while everyone isn't good at the sport, almost everyone can do it, she said.

Besides bowling, the restaurant and lounge areas will take up another two-thirds of the space. The appetizer-heavy menu takes classic American food and spices it up a bit, Brewer said.

The pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, wings, macaroni and cheese and cotton candy, just to name a few, are the brainchild of Robert Black, the restaurant's consulting chef. Black, the chef responsible for several Oklahoma City restaurant menus, also helped design the kitchen.

And one of RedPin's greatest assets, Brewer said, is its eastward-facing patio. The patio is one of the largest in Bricktown and has the most canal frontage.

"It's going to be a place to see and be seen because there's so much traffic crossing that fountain plaza and it's so visible from there,” she said.

Part-owner Tim Egan said RedPin is more than a bowling alley; it's an entertainment venue that caters to a diverse crowd.

He expects families with kids to come on weekends and afternoons, a corporate lunch crowd during the weekdays and young adults in the evenings.

Trademarking the name was important, Brewer said, because she's hoping the Bricktown bowling lounge will be the first of a few locations

"We're pretty convinced that the experience we're going to create for people and the design of the space, the menu we're creating and the bar menu we're creating. People are going to be sold,” she said.

The venue is scheduled to open by mid-October.

Very cool!

Nice read on the bowling center.

Random thought: How about a Dave and Busters somewhere in Bricktown? That would definitely add to the entertainment choices down there.

I look forward to the eastern half of Bricktown developing more...

I'd sell my sister into slavery for a Dave & Buster's here.

Has anyone tried to email Dave & Busters for an Okc location??

Yes, we've emailed D&B plenty of times. There are several threads on it. I'll try to dig them up and post the link. I personally don't see what the big deal is with Dave & Busters. I fit into their target "young professional" demographic and have been to one a few times and I personally don't think it's that big of a deal but apparently it is to enough people. I usually get these things and stay on top of trends. It's basically a Celebration Station for adults and has better food than cheap overpriced pizza.

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Originally Posted by metro

Yes, we've emailed D&B plenty of times. There are several threads on it. I'll try to dig them up and post the link. I personally don't see what the big deal is with Dave & Busters. I fit into their target "young professional" demographic and have been to one a few times and I personally don't think it's that big of a deal but apparently it is to enough people. I usually get these things and stay on top of trends. It's basically a Celebration Station for adults and has better food than cheap overpriced pizza.

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Which one did you go to? I've been to about 5 of them, and they're all a little different from each other. I wasn't nearly impressed with the one in Dallas as the one in Denver...Or the one in Times Square.

Denver had some BBQ-sauce-slathered, bacon-wrapped-shrimp-kabobs that knocked my socks off when consumed in combination with some Devil Mountain Five Malt Ale...But I didn't see it on the menu at the San Diego location.







mmmmmmDevilmountainfivemalt....*drool

Dave & Busters? Really?

I know this won't be a popular opinion but I feel compelled to share it. I used to be excited when the metro would get one of the latest, greatest restuarants because I felt it put us in the same class as large cities. But as these chains roll out their locations all across the nation I'm disappointed with how homogenized our country is becoming. A person can go to Dallas, OKC, St. Louis, KC, Denver, etc., etc....and eat the same thing, see the same thing and go to the same places. That used to be one of the reasons to travel is to see and try different things, especially food. It's great to go to a city or even small town and eat something that you can't get anywhere else. Those places still exist but more and more when you travel through a city or town you see the same familiar stores and restaurants dot the country side. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy eating at several chains but sometimes enough is enough. That's my little soapbox.

Let's bowl!
http://entimg.msn.com/i/BillMurray/Kingpin_300x298.jpg

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Originally Posted by traxx

Dave & Busters? Really?

I know this won't be a popular opinion but I feel compelled to share it. I used to be excited when the metro would get one of the latest, greatest restuarants because I felt it put us in the same class as large cities. But as these chains roll out their locations all across the nation I'm disappointed with how homogenized our country is becoming. A person can go to Dallas, OKC, St. Louis, KC, Denver, etc., etc....and eat the same thing, see the same thing and go to the same places. That used to be one of the reasons to travel is to see and try different things, especially food. It's great to go to a city or even small town and eat something that you can't get anywhere else. Those places still exist but more and more when you travel through a city or town you see the same familiar stores and restaurants dot the country side. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy eating at several chains but sometimes enough is enough. That's my little soapbox.

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I agree with you totally. I remember my husband was in Columbus or some other city in Ohio and asked the front desk clerk for a local restaurant recommendation. He suggested Friday's down the street. Not exactly what he meant by local.

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Originally Posted by traxx

Dave & Busters? Really?

I know this won't be a popular opinion but I feel compelled to share it. I used to be excited when the metro would get one of the latest, greatest restuarants because I felt it put us in the same class as large cities. But as these chains roll out their locations all across the nation I'm disappointed with how homogenized our country is becoming. A person can go to Dallas, OKC, St. Louis, KC, Denver, etc., etc....and eat the same thing, see the same thing and go to the same places. That used to be one of the reasons to travel is to see and try different things, especially food. It's great to go to a city or even small town and eat something that you can't get anywhere else. Those places still exist but more and more when you travel through a city or town you see the same familiar stores and restaurants dot the country side. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy eating at several chains but sometimes enough is enough. That's my little soapbox.

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ok traxx....We can stop the chains moving in to the metro

AFTER we get a Dave and Busters of course :bow:

There will always be popular local eating establishments wherever you travel

More choices the better near my home...Chains or not

Especially because most mom and pop stores close within a year

Quote:

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Originally Posted by traxx

Dave & Busters? Really?

I know this won't be a popular opinion but I feel compelled to share it. I used to be excited when the metro would get one of the latest, greatest restuarants because I felt it put us in the same class as large cities. But as these chains roll out their locations all across the nation I'm disappointed with how homogenized our country is becoming. A person can go to Dallas, OKC, St. Louis, KC, Denver, etc., etc....and eat the same thing, see the same thing and go to the same places. That used to be one of the reasons to travel is to see and try different things, especially food. It's great to go to a city or even small town and eat something that you can't get anywhere else. Those places still exist but more and more when you travel through a city or town you see the same familiar stores and restaurants dot the country side. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy eating at several chains but sometimes enough is enough. That's my little soapbox.

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Normally I'm on the same page as you on this sort of thing...But Dave & Buster's rocks. :D

does anyone have the link in order to contact Dave & Busters , for a possible Okc location??

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Originally Posted by okclee

does anyone have the link in order to contact Dave & Busters , for a possible Okc location??

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Would have shot them an email, but they don't have that option on their website and I'm not a big phone guy

Dave & Busters :: Contact Us Page

As for Dave & Busters, where would they set up? I don't think the Lower Bricktown buildings have enough space for D&B and I don't think they'd be willing to negotiate with Brewer for his outrageous leases in Bricktown Proper. I'm just thinking those considerations might be some reasons they wouldn't come to Bricktown.

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Originally Posted by AFCM

As for Dave & Busters, where would they set up? I don't think the Lower Bricktown buildings have enough space for D&B and I don't think they'd be willing to negotiate with Brewer for his outrageous leases in Bricktown Proper. I'm just thinking those considerations might be some reasons they wouldn't come to Bricktown.

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I don't know...They have got to be paying BIG money for some of their present locations.

Put that sucker in Bass Pro's parking lot...Or :bright_id maybe...Just MAYBE...Toby Keith's will fold, leaving that spot open.

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I know this won't be a popular opinion but I feel compelled to share it. I used to be excited when the metro would get one of the latest, greatest restuarants because I felt it put us in the same class as large cities. But as these chains roll out their locations all across the nation I'm disappointed with how homogenized our country is becoming. A person can go to Dallas, OKC, St. Louis, KC, Denver, etc., etc....and eat the same thing, see the same thing and go to the same places. That used to be one of the reasons to travel is to see and try different things, especially food. It's great to go to a city or even small town and eat something that you can't get anywhere else. Those places still exist but more and more when you travel through a city or town you see the same familiar stores and restaurants dot the country side. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy eating at several chains but sometimes enough is enough. That's my little soapbox.

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Totally agree. There is something about the culture here that puts a premium on getting chain food restaurants. And it's almost like the more prevalent they are and the more the national market is saturated with them, the more we want them. There's this prevailing chain envy that seems to seek validation through getting the chains that everybody else has. Usually, communities are trying to play up their individuality and local character. OKC often seem to want less of it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BDP

Totally agree. There is something about the culture here that puts a premium on getting chain food restaurants. And it's almost like the more prevalent they are and the more the national market is saturated with them, the more we want them. There's this prevailing chain envy that seems to seek validation through getting the chains that everybody else has. Usually, communities are trying to play up their individuality and local character. OKC often seem to want less of it.

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I'm pretty much the opposite...If the food is good, atmosphere is cool and the prices are right I don't really care how many locations there are

"RedPin promises a unique entertainment experience incorporating contemporary dining, an upscale environment, and the excitement of bowling,” said architect David Wanzer.

So. When did this guy with a BA in Business and a 2 yr degree in Arch get licensed? According to the state, he's an intern! You have do finish that, and pass 9 exmas before you're able to call yourself an Architect. That's like me taking a law class and calling myself a lawyer!

You're right, but it doesn't seem like he is calling himself an architect. I believe whoever is writing the article mistakenly called him that. I'm sure he knows better than that.

wow I just read this. That is a really sweet idea!

Perhaps, CuatrodeMayo. I'd wouldn't like to think he'd misrepresent himself, but neither is he correcting the impression or trying to establish the right credentials. Search the forums, the reference is there more than once that he's already an architect.