Sieber Apartments

[metro]

I agree, the Marion is coming along nicely.

[OKCMann]

Anybody have an update on the Sieber. Pictures would be great if available!! Thats a great area and the Sieber will be a nice boost.

[Midtowner]

I haven't seen much going on over there lately.

[OKCMann]

Ugh, thats always scarry when a project like this goes quiet? I hope everything is still a go!?

[Pete]

The last Skyline Snapshot said it was still scheduled to be completed in late 2007.

Here's some January 2007 photos from J.L. Walker's (contractor) website. Clearly, that building is requiring a tremendous amount of work:

[jbrown84]

Yeah, this one's taking a looooong time.

[metro]

It is a hard rehab. It was in pretty bad disrepair. I drove by last night and it appears they are still working on it. It looks like it has been completely gutted finally. I know they are going to have to make it structurally stable, add new plumbing and wiring and such. I'm confident this one will go through, especially since they've got federal money.

[Misty]

Hmm, really curious how much they will rent for. Hey Metro where is the Cottage District? I've not seen any cottages downtown?

[OKCMann]

Wow, the pictures show a pretty in depth renovation. I had no idea the building structure was so bad off!

[Pete]

Yeah, it looks like all that is remaining is the exterior brick, which they've had to prop up while they gut the inside! Rehabs are always more expensive and extensive than estimated, and that building had been in very bad shape for quite some time.

Here's what was originally included in an article over a year ago:

The apartments will range in size from 800-square-feet to 1,400-square-feet and will likely rent for between $900 and $1,650 a month.

[Midtowner]

That's steep rent for someplace which is across the street from Northcare. No thanks.

[metro]

Hey Misty, I'll tell you about the Cottage District at tomorrow nights Urban Neighbors meeting!

[metro]

Old hotel home to new apartments

By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer

Marva Ellard is preparing to enjoy one huge "I told you so.”
As a preservationist, she helped lead the charge to save historic landmarks. The Gold Dome at NW 23 and Classen Boulevard is one example. And when she bought the burned-out hulk of the old Sieber Hotel in MidTown, she encountered skeptics who ridiculed her plans to restore the landmark to its former glory.

The $8.5 million renovation at NW 13 and Hudson began one year ago, but for months all passers-by could see was debris being hauled out from the six-story hotel and adjoining two-story storefront.

But within the last few weeks, that picture has changed. Most of the new windows are in place, crews are busy installing wallboard, electrical and plumbing systems, and apartment floor plans are taking shape. Ellard promises the bracing in place on the two-story structure doesn't hint the building is in danger of collapsing.

"If anybody has driven by while we're working on it, seeing all the shoring and bracing, they can tell it's been difficult,” Ellard said. "This building had a wood frame in it and over the years, the roof deteriorated, and a lot of the wood was rotten. There wasn't much structure left ... but it could have stood for quite a few years, barring a fire or something like that.”

Ellard still holds no grudges against those who doubted her. She admits even her own partners in the venture had their doubts. They bought the property in 1997 at a sheriff's sale and spent the next decade refining their plans, obtaining financing and meeting requirements for historic tax credits.

She's also the first to admit that most developers would have at least torn down the older two-story storefront. German immigrant Robert G. Sieber built the two-story building first in 1922, operating it as a butcher shop and grocery. He and his wife, Nora, then built and operated the six-story, u-shaped Sieber Hotel starting in 1928.

"My partners tease me, and they question my sanity in wanting to save this building and spend as much money as we have,” Ellard said. "This building is significant in its context. This is the original Sieber building. His grocery was in it and his family lived upstairs. And with money he made from that business, he built the bigger building.”

The two-story building actually includes a third "half-floor” that will have multilevel apartments with an elevated walkway. The building will be home to eight apartments.

"We thought this space was very interesting and that we could do something different with it. It's a lot bigger building than it appears from the street,” Ellard said. "It's pretty deep.”

The entire complex will feature 38 apartments, ranging from 843 to 1,401 square feet. Each unit will have washers and dryers, while oversize machines will be offered in a laundry room for tenants.

The lobby, meanwhile, is being restored so that visitors will step onto the same mosaic tile floor that greeted guests decades ago. And Ellard has high hopes a restaurant will return to the space that was once home to the popular Woods restaurant a quarter century ago.

"I think people are really going to like it,” Ellard said. "We're trying to do everything first class.”

[Pete]

Great job here by Marva Ellard.

OKC is lucky to have several developers with a passion for preservation.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

[AFCM]

Great job here by Marva Ellard.

OKC is lucky to have several developers with a passion for preservation.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

Ditto. Any other major city you visit, you can spot dozens of historic buildings downtown, all with the Est. 18XX sign on the front. I'm glad OKC is stepping up and embracing the preservation of our city's history.

[Pete]

Here's the larger photos from that recent Steve Lackmeyer article:

[metro]

I was just reading in the Sept. issue of downtown magazine that the Sieber Hotel will be in this year's tour of the "Heritage Hills Homes and Garden's Tour". This may be a good opportunity to preview the Sieber as well as nice homes in Heritage Hills.

[metro]

Anyone know how far along this is coming? It was scheduled to be open sometime this month.

[tuck]

Not a chance!!

[mecarr]

I agree, the Marion is coming along nicely.

Anyone know the status of this project? The building looks really nice (at least from the picture on the banta website) and like it would be a cool place to have a condo.

[metro]

they are saying they will open this month, i guess we'll see.......

[jbrown84]

I doubt you saw it on Banta's site. It's not one of his projects.

I think it's almost done. They recently did a tour of it, so it must be close.

[mecarr]

I doubt you saw it on Banta's site. It's not one of his projects.

The project is on Banta's website. Here's the link
Banta Development Corporation

[jbrown84]

Not on that page it isn't. Look again. Perhaps you are thinking of the Osler.

[mecarr]

Not on that page it isn't. Look again. Perhaps you are thinking of the Osler.

It's the third listing from the bottom...We're talking about the Marion right?