Plaza District

[roontburger2006]

Automobile Alley _|_Boathouse Row _|_ Bricktown _|_Central Business District
Deep Deuce_|_Film Row_|_Midtown _|_Plaza District_|_SoSA_|_Uptown / 23rd


18th Street Studios | Chiltepes | Classen School | Empire Slice House | Homeland | Indiana Center | The Mule | Oak & Ore | Saints | Sunbeam

Information & Latest News

Links

Plaza District Website
Facebook Page
Gallery

[jbrown84]

It's very exciting. Not surprising you hadn't heard of it before a couple years ago, as it's really just exploded in these last couple years. Before it was a very rundown area, if not full-on blighted. I've been amazed how fast all the space has filled up with great shops, galleries, and cafes.

[gracefor24]

The great thing also is that it is only a two lane street which encourages people to walk within the district. If anyone needs coffee catering Cafe Evoke is a terrific place to do business with and it's located in the Plaza District. What they really need right now is a couple places to eat and maybe a nice pub.

[betts]

I love the Plaza District. If any of my kids ever moved back here, that's where I would suggest they buy a home. I see so much potential in that area, and I love the architectural style of the houses. And I agree that the area needs a couple more restaurants. A pub or small club would be great as well.

[okclee]

I love the Plaza District. If any of my kids ever moved back here, that's where I would suggest they buy a home. I see so much potential in that area, and I love the architectural style of the houses. And I agree that the area needs a couple more restaurants. A pub or small club would be great as well.

Agreed, If someone is young and looking for great deals on houses with historic character this is the place.

Gatewood, Plaza District, Jefferson Park, Paseo, and a few others are undervalued areas, with lots of potential.

[Lindsay Architect]

Does anyone know the history of the plaza disctict? It's kind of all to itself if I'm thinking of the right area.

[purplemonkeythief]

Does anyone know the history of the plaza disctict? It's kind of all to itself if I'm thinking of the right area.

you mean like the stuff about Susan Hogan and all the crime or the original development in the 30s?

[soonermike81]

Does anyone know the history of the plaza disctict? It's kind of all to itself if I'm thinking of the right area.

I know I'm quite behind here on chiming in, but I am new to the board and just recently visited the Plaza District. I am amazed at the transformation from what it was 25 years ago. Here's my recollection of what it looked like in the mid-80s.

The anchor to the whole area was the strip on the NE corner of 16th and Indiana. At the end nearest Indiana was a pawn shop, and a bar directly behind it (facing Indiana). Next door to the pawn shop was an Asian grocery store (16th Street Market?). Back then, they were the primary competitors to Cao Nguyen (now Super Cao Nguyen), but went out of business at some point in the late 80s/early 90s. Next door to that was a pool hall, which attracted a lot of thugs/gang members. Also in that strip closer toward Gatewood was a comic book store that I can't remember the name.

On the NW corner of Indiana and 16th was a grocery store called Country Boy, or something along those lines. I guess that might the same as what some of you remember as Humpty Dumpty or TG&Y; I'm not certain which one it was formerly.

On the SW Corner was a motorcycle repair shop, I believe.

Directly across from the pool hall was a coin laundry place, which I could have sworn was still there as of recently. Maybe not though.

That's the bulk of what I can remember from my childhood. I remember coming back as an adult, and seeing the place was pretty run down with a few Hispanic type businesses. Just thought I would chime in b/c it brought back a lot of nostalgia. Pretty happy to see the area thriving!

[jungmuny]

The history of the plaza district is that it was the last stop on the city's trolley system for quite some time. Thus it evolved into a shopping center of sorts as neighborhoods grew northward but the trolley tracks didn't. The trolley system was based off of Classen. Here is some more info:http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2007/09...ys-part-1.html

[jbrown84]

There used to be little retail centers like that all over the city before we moved to the big-box strip center mentality.

I don't know specific history other than that it included a movie theatre, the Plaza Theatre, which is now Lyric at the Plaza. Lyric really started the reinvestment in the area by putting their offices and Academy there 5 or 6 years ago.

[betts]

There used to be little retail centers like that all over the city before we moved to the big-box strip center mentality.

Many cities have neighborhoods with little retail centers just like that, and that's what makes the old neighborhoods so charming, once they fill up with retail and restaurants again. I think that's the next big thing we'll see in Oklahoma City, outside of MAPS plans. Hopefully, those old retail centers will start being refurbished, and that brings in the home renovators. Neighborhoods spiff up rapidly and it increases the desirability of our older neighborhoods tremendously.
A little mass transit doesn't hurt either.

[shane453]

For a map of all the businesses of the Plaza District, check this out:

We have so many businesses now, you might need a map to get a... on Twitpic

and they do "Live on the Plaza" this Friday- and every second Friday of every month- with art and entertainment and shopping.

[roontburger2006]

I'm not aware of the Susan Hogan story, who is that? What happened? I'm also interested in the history of this area in the 30's. Really interesting stuff!

[OKC plaza]

Hi folks,

I'm Kristen Vails, the director of the Plaza District Association. I am so glad you all are excited about the district, it really has come a long way in the last couple of years and myself, our business owners and neighborhood residents are all thrilled with the energy taking place. OKC has truly embraced our district, and it is fun to be a part of helping it take shape!
As far as the history is concerned, other than hearing old stories that come in conversation, there really is no compiled history. We would really love to be developing that, but right now the focus is really on developing the area. If anyone happens to know of a volunteer who might be interested, please let me know!
And, yes, we really do need a restaurant. We've been in the talking stages with a few interested parties, but nothing has shaken. There are currently a few options of ideal space for a restaurant that we are actively seeking a restaurant to fill. We really believe it would be the tipping point for the district
So, just thought I would throw the info out. If anyone ever has questions or would like more info, I can be contacted at Kristen@plazadistrict.org. And, our 2nd Friday artwalk is tonight, 7-11 pm, feel free to check it out!

[CaseyCornett]

Hi Kristen!
I'm really looking forward to tonight's LIVE on the Plaza. I've never been to one but I hear lots of great things.

See you soon.

[Urbanized]

Well, here's a little Plaza District history for you: Lyric theater owns a former Humpty-Dumpty grocery store on the NW corner of 16th and Indiana. I believe it still houses their academy and possibly their corporate office, though I don't know what the usage is for all of the buildings now that the Plaza Theater renovation is complete. When it was a Humpty-Dumpty, it was owned by Sylvan Goldman. My understanding is THAT is the building in which the shopping cart was developed and first put into practice.

[rcjunkie]

My grandmother lived 4 blocks S. of this area, when I was 8--9 years old we would walk to this area so she could shop. There was a Humpty Dumpty, TG&Y, Drug Store, Barber Shop. a gas station, etc;, was a very active area for several years. I inherited her house and still own it, I'm in the process of a complete remodel, still deciding if it's going to be rental property or put it up for sale.

[king183]

I have a friend who lives in a historic neighborhood in OKC, just northwest of downtown. He buys a house, lives in it for a couple years, all the while fixing it up so it's really nice. After he's "done" with it, he moves to another house in the same neighborhood and starts the process over again. I think this is great because it really helps improve the neighborhood appearance and the property values overall.

I'm considering doing something similar in the Plaza District. I'm not looking to make much money; my primary goal is to help restore the area. I drive through there every day to look at houses. In most locations it's REALLY run down and looks like a slum. In other locations, it's really nice. I see the revival going on in the shopping center area, which leads me to believe the area is prime for a residential revival. If you look back at this thread, talk of a residential revival has been latent for several years. So far, however, it doesn't appear to be happening. (Side note: two houses, one pretty darn large, burned down in Plaza recently, right about the same time--not sure how relevant that is.)

Anyone have thoughts on this?

[JayhawkTransplant]

Ah, come to my neighborhood! I live in Crestwood, which is another historic district with a hodgepodge of renovated tudors and rundown ones.

[EBAH]

Ah, come to my neighborhood! I live in Crestwood, which is another historic district with a hodgepodge of renovated tudors and rundown ones.

Yes! I live in Crestwood as well and would also agree that it's primed for quality remodels. It is also very close to the plaza (I can ride my bike there in like 4-5 minutes) and to most of the great inner city districts (Paseo is a short trip, as are the fair grounds, stockyards, downtown, etc). The houses are very reasonably priced and the neighborhood is VERY popular with young home buyers. I hope that preservation is in mind though, if they're done right, renovated homes in this neighborhood are fantastic.

[kevinpate]

king183, everyone needs something that energizies them. If you have the time, talent and treasury for that to be your energizer, then I think hopping to it would make a lot of sense. I couldn't do it. I am not much for moving. In 25 years, I have been in three locations. Each move involved a larger space for growing family.

Family is grown now, but there is no downsizing in sight. We were almost stacking two deep over the last holiday since everyone plus a couple of extended family were in for the youngest's graduation. Hopefully, we'll be blessed with enough grandchildren the thought of downsizing will stay away. Then I will have grandchildren AND I can avoid moving again. Bliss!

[Watson410]

It's a really great idea! I've been doing that for the last 5 years.. Buy a house, fix it up and rent it out, then buy another house do the same thing all over again! I'm 26 years old and own 3 houses... Though they aren't in any historical neighborhoods but instead rather nice neighborhoods in the the Midwest City area. All are south of 15th between Post and Air Depot. If you have the time and energy it's definitely a nice second income!

[metro]

I've been doing the same thing last 5 years

[Barry Luxton]

That is what is commonly referred to as "flipping" in the real estate profession. Buying a house for cheap and fixing it up and then selling it for more than what you paid.

[wsucougz]

I've been doing the same thing last 5 years