Bricktown Shakeup

[Pete]

9/12/14 Update

The sale of properties labeled 5 through 8 below has been recorded by the County Assessor.

Sales price for the four properties -- three small historic office buildings and a surface parking lot -- was $5.8 million. Total building square footage is 34,800 with the land comprising just under an acre.

The purchasing LLC tracks back to GFO Companies, the same Los Angeles based investment group that purchased the Sycamore Square Apartments and that has proposed to build the 700 West apartments along with a new apartment building at Sycamore Square.

Andy Burnett has been the front person on this transaction and previously worked for GFO; they have a small local office on NW Expressway.

The sale of the properties on the north side of Sheridan should post soon.

6/13/14

NewsOK Article

6/6/14

We've known for a while that a bunch of properties along Sheridan in Bricktown were under contract and set to close sometime this summer.

There are a total of 8 shown in yellow below. The buyers are being led by Andy Burnett (Mideke Building, 700 West) with others involved.

Most of the properties are owned by Don Karmcher who is also trying to re-work his large parking garage plan for the site labeled 'Karchmer 2'. We've also heard he plans to develop the 'Karchmer 1' parking lot into structured parking. Just recently Karchmer submitted plans to remodel his building at 4 E. Sheridan to provide office space about the ground floor Melting Pot restaurant.

We understand the Burnett group also want to buy the Spaghetti Warehouse building but the owners are reluctant to sell.

	#	Address	Tenant	Owner
	1	115 E. Sheridan	Club One15	Brewers
	2	114 E. Main	Parking Lot	Karchmer
	3	121 E. Sheridan	Tapwerks	Karchmer
	4	127 E. Sheridan	Parking Lot	Brewers
	5		Parking Lot	Karchmer
	6		Baden Buidling	Karchmer
	7		Glass Building	Karchmer
	8		Confectionary Building	Karchmer

[bchris02]

It looks like this may be a bigger shift than realized. This may be the end for Bricktown as OKC's entertainment district. I wonder if Tapwerks is also going to be shut down?

[Urbanized]

How about the very first post in this thread, Pete?

It looks like this may be a bigger shift than realized. This may be the end for Bricktown as OKC's entertainment district. I wonder if Tapwerks is also going to be shut down?

[Pete]

How about the very first post in this thread, Pete?

If you want to focus on odd comments by a poster no one else takes seriously, go right ahead.

Just strange that you would choose to do so.

[Urbanized]

If you want to focus on odd comments by a poster no one else takes seriously, go right ahead.

Just strange that you would choose to do so.

Pete, there were plenty of other comments in that vein (concern that there was a move afoot to change Bricktown's character from entertainment district to tepid office park) from much more well-regarded posters such as adaniel, betts, and Midtowner. Example:

Generally speaking, I'm a little disappointed in all of this development in Bricktown. This is a taxpayer financed entertainment district slowly turning into an office park.

It'd be too bad if all of the night life was forced out.

Please don't make me dig them all up. I'm willing to let sleeping dogs lie if everyone else is. I only posted what I did earlier to point out that the alarmist posts appear to be pretty baseless. Don't take every criticism of posters' overreactions (a common occurrence here that I myself have been guilty of I'm sure) as a criticism of the site itself. It's not the same thing.

[pickles]

How about the very first post in this thread, Pete?

lol. Classic bchris.

[Pete]

I doubt they would close Tapwerks or anything except Club One15.

I'm sure they'd love to convert the upper floors of the Spaghetti Warehouse to offices and then build some sort of parking structure to the east.

I'm sure they would no be any demolitions.

[CuatrodeMayo]

His involvement in the Sandridge demolition spree makes me a bit nervous. As we've see so often, our boards, commissions, review committees and design standards aren't much hindrance to certain individuals and organizations.

[zookeeper]

I hope they don't touch the Spaghetti Warehouse if only for the fact that they really started it all. They took a big chance and made a bold move by opening up into an empty old dingy warehouse district. It was the catalyst for the Bricktown boom. They proved it could work. I like to see it still there and hope it stays - they deserve it.

[RadicalModerate]

I hope they don't touch the Spaghetti Warehouse if only for the fact that they really started it all. They took a big chance and made a bold move by opening up into an empty old dingy warehouse district. It was the catalyst for the Bricktown boom. They proved it could work. I like to see it still there and hope it stays - they deserve it.

I hope They don't touch The Spaghetti Warehouse either.
Except for expecting better Pasta (and sauce) for The Dollar.
It really was the first kid on the block.
Back in the day.

Wasn't there once a place called "Piggy's BBQ" replete with an industrial ramp/loading dock/patio dining venue, etc. down there?
And, across the street some excuse for a semi-gypsy "Komedy Klub"?
Not to mention: Rocky's Bricktown Music Hall?
and Willard's Wholesale Roofing?

It Was All Good. And Will Be Even Better. (at least i hope so)

Edited to Add:
From a recent visit to the vicinity:



I hope The Developers don't mess with Ye Olde Railroad Spur Into the Former Industrial Warehouse District as well.
It's, like, Historical (and whatnot). Even approaching Art.

(or, at least, what "Art to Be" . . .) (not Stage Center . . . =)

[zookeeper]

Wasn't there once a place called "Piggy's BBQ" replete with an industrial ramp, etc. down there?
And, across the street some excuse for a "Comedy Klub"?
Not to mention: Rocky's Bricktown Music Hall?
and Willard's Wholesale Roofing?
I hope The Developers don't mess with Ye Olde Spur Into the Former Industrial Warehouse District neither.
It's, like, Historical (and whatnot). Even approaching Art.

I remember when it was Spaghetti Warehouse, Piggy's, the Irish pub (Kelley's? I'm not sure on the name), and the comedy club. I'm not sure what was literally the first, but it was The Spaghetti Warehouse taking the chance with a large full-service restaurant that was the real seedling of modern Bricktown.

[RadicalModerate]

I remember when it was Spaghetti Warehouse, Piggy's, the Irish pub (Kelley's? I'm not sure on the name), and the comedy club. I'm not sure what was literally the first, but it was The Spaghetti Warehouse taking the chance with a large full-service restaurant that was the real seedling of modern Bricktown.

I seem to recall a Bunte Candy Company . . . a Bosco's Hardware Wholesaler . . . and Mideke/Hajoka (Plumbing) Supply.
"Modern Bricktown" is more . . . what? . . . Flexible? . . . Spineless?
Perhaps a "Neighborhood/The Reason We Moved Here" Committee might be established? =)

And, following that, demand better sidewalks and ziplines that don't embarrass the Mayor?

[soonerguru]

I hope they don't touch the Spaghetti Warehouse if only for the fact that they really started it all. They took a big chance and made a bold move by opening up into an empty old dingy warehouse district. It was the catalyst for the Bricktown boom. They proved it could work. I like to see it still there and hope it stays - they deserve it.

Ok. Maybe. But I wouldn't really shed a tear if we lost Spaghetti Warehouse.

[kevinpate]

Ok. Maybe. But I wouldn't really shed a tear if we lost Spaghetti Warehouse.

The city might if they did not relocate should a move become necessary. Unless they have fallen way off in business, there would be quite a few dollars going into city coffers from the long time pasta movers.

[kbsooner]

We park in lots 2, 5 and Karchmer 1 for our office in the Glass Bldg (across to Tapwerks). Been hearing of the property changes for a while. We will be very interested parties to see how this plays out. Karchmer 1 is ripe for structured parking for ACM at UCO and for development of space above Spaghetti Warehouse.

[Pete]

I agree that the Spaghetti Warehouse is a Bricktown institution.

I never hear about people going there, but I think they still do a decent business.

The place has a soft spot in my heart.

[RadicalModerate]

I agree that the Spaghetti Warehouse is a Bricktown institution.

I never hear about people going there, but I think they still do a decent business.

The place has a soft spot in my heart.

Nice. Don't let it go to your head.
(you know that i'm kidding, right? at least i hope that you do.)
(thanks, again, Pete)

[SoonerDave]

I agree that the Spaghetti Warehouse is a Bricktown institution.

I never hear about people going there, but I think they still do a decent business.

The place has a soft spot in my heart.

Me too. We used to be regulars down there, but through no fault of Spaghetti Warehouse, we just don't get down there as often. My wife and I went there on a "date night" back when Seinfeld was in town a few years ago, and we had a positively wonderful dinner and great service. Even better than we expected, which isn't a knock, just a reminder of a very nice evening. We were served by what had to be one of the nicest waiters ever, too, I recall.

I would absolutely hate for all that to go away. My wife and I took a walk through Bricktown a few months back and went from Pinkitzel (where I made the egregious mistake of seeing a big BUNN coffeemaker and foolishly meaning I should expect to get a piping hot cup of coffee brewed from it, only to see the clerk pour me a cup of ghastly brown something from a dispenser that had the words "coffee" on it, but I refuse to believe it. As I *really* wanted some coffee, I suffered a few sips, but it was so awful I threw it away. I didn't ask for my money back because the lady had given us a free chocolate covered strawberry, but I did go back and tell her, "Guys, you've got that beautiful coffee maker back there, and you just sold me some horrendous instant coffee. Why is that?" She said, "Oh, the Bunn is just for big parties." I shook my head, we left, and walked down to Cocoa Flow (where Uncommon Grounds used to be years ago) and the host there custom brewed me a fresh-ground cup of absolutely delicious coffee. I digress, but the point of it all was the fact that we could walk around the area and have all these nice alternatives, which is the point of a lot of the efforts downtown in the first place.

Here's hoping the entertainment district doesn't get pushed to the side as things progress.

[Teo9969]

Assuming that demolition were a possibility, why would you even do it, only to have to build something similar? Still has to be a brick building about yea-high. Ward could build a 6 to 10 story building on the #2 Parking lot if he wants to get the office space he needs.

[bchris02]

Assuming that demolition were a possibility, why would you even do it, only to have to build something similar? Still has to be a brick building about yea-high. Ward could build a 6 to 10 story building on the #2 Parking lot if he wants to get the office space he needs.

I doubt Tom Ward wants to be remembered as the man who destroyed Bricktown. This does seem kind of puzzling though. Anybody have any guesses at to why Tapstone is going this route rather than new construction?

[Pete]

My thought is that Ward in particular simply wants to control the area where he is running his company. That was certainly his m.o. at SandRidge.

I think they are hoping to acquire the Spaghetti Warehouse building and convert the upper floors and then build structured parking to the east. In that scenario, it might make sense to demo the Tapwerks buidling and then build back retail on the ground and parking above.

On the south side of Sheridan, I don't think they have any specific plans. In fact, I've heard they may flip the one building to ADG who presently occupies it.

[betts]

I don't want any buildings demo'd. And after what happened with their old company and properties, I don't think Tapstone should be given carte blanche to do anything.

[RadicalModerate]

I don't want any buildings demo'd. And after what happened with their old company and properties, I don't think Tapstone should be given carte blanche to do anything.

Do you suppose that Mr. Pei is on speed dial on their Ouija Boards?
Regarding "a Plan"?
Or are they using The Magic Eight Ball?

[adaniel]

Yeah I'm not too sure I am completely thrilled about an entire company, particularly someone with Tom Wards past, buying up whole blocks to control them. This is a dense urban environment after all and you will naturally have a diverse array of businesses around.

Also, now that I've thought about it, the nightclub backlash is in danger of becoming an overreaction. If a pretty decent club like One 15 is forced out why would anyone else, even with a high end concept, try in the future?

[betts]

Yeah I'm not too sure I am completely thrilled about an entire company, particularly someone with Tom Wards past, buying up whole blocks to control them. This is a dense urban environment after all and you will naturally have a diverse array of businesses around.

Also, now that I've thought about it, the nightclub backlash is in danger of becoming an overreaction. If a pretty decent club like One 15 is forced out why would anyone else, even with a high end concept, try in the future?

Tom Ward is pretty straight and narrow and he doesn't mind forcing his mindset on things around him, I've heard. It wouldn't shock me to hear he doesn't want clubs and such around his business. I remember someone telling me that when he was part owner of the Thunder he insisted the Thunder girls costumes be more modest than some other teams' cheerleaders.