OAK (formerly Penn Central)

[warreng88]

I'm hoping for Mi Cocina, it's a higher-end Tex Mex that we love. They have locations in upscale settings throughout DFW, Houston, and one in Tulsa. They've been off and on looking at the OKC market according to one of the managers we are acquaintances with in Dallas, but it's been several years since we've last asked her.

They already have one in Tulsa so coming to OKC wouldn't be too much of a stretch either. That would be a good get too.

[sooner88]

Would love a Pappas Brothers but don't see that with Capital Grille there already. Tried to book reservations last night for Capital Grille for my birthday Dec 20 and only options were super early or late. That's a good sign that people are liking it.

We tried to book a table for 6 on a Thursday in early December for a team Christmas dinner, and the only option was 5:00 pm, including private rooms. Glad to see they've hit their stride. Alternatively, every other steakhouse in town was wide open this far in advance.

[Ginkasa]

Yep. Booked for my anniversary in early December and we're going in at like 8:00pm.

[Plutonic Panda]

Pete, what do you mean? Office space is important to cities.

[April in the Plaza]

Pete, what do you mean? Office space is important to cities.

i think he's saying that it's oversupplied and, against that backdrop, no one is going to risk capital on developing new Class A supply.

and if they were to build Class A, it would simply pull some of the stronger tenants from nearby buildings (Waterford, Valliance Tower, etc.). it wouldn't do much for the sub-market's net absorption.

[warreng88]

The only reason to build a 9-12 story office building is if you have an anchor tenant taking up at least half of that and the market supports more. But to April's point, you would just have people moving around from other offices.

[Pete]

A strong argument could be made that building more office space would be bad for OKC, as new buildings would only cannibalize existing and the more vacancy, the lower the rental rates, and the worse it is for developers/owners.

For all these reasons, I don't think we'll have much spec office space built anytime soon.

The only new office space conceived after the pandemic that looks to be going forward is the new Guernsey building in Alley North, although the Philips Murrah Building would probably also qualify. Both of those are primarily for single-use tenants. Also, the Citizen but again, that was pretty much fully leased before it started, and almost all are merely moving from elsewhere in OKC.

None of the big projects on the boards have much office space: OKANA, Boardwalk, The Half, UNP, Stadium District, etc.

[warreng88]

Yeah, the half has that one office building, but it is owner occupied, so that doesn't really count.

[OkieBerto]

Went out last night to the Marlin Bar and walked around Oak. Marlin Bar was disappointing when it comes to food. They were out of everything and the space was very loud even with the garage doors open on the side. The space itself is great, but the food was lacking. We walked around and were impressed with everything else. I can’t wait for Oak to be finished and filled with people. It was very busy last night with a full parking lot.

[Pete]

Went out last night to the Marlin Bar and walked around Oak. Marlin Bar was disappointing when it comes to food. They were out of everything and the space was very loud even with the garage doors open on the side. The space itself is great, but the food was lacking. We walked around and were impressed with everything else. I can’t wait for Oak to be finished and filled with people. It was very busy last night with a full parking lot.

That's the OKCTalk syndrome. I went the day they opened and they had everything and weren't that busy. We posted about them the next day; they were overrun and ran out of most things.

I talked to the manager and warned them, they swore they were ready.

[OkieBerto]

That's the OKCTalk syndrome. I went the day they opened and they had everything and weren't that busy. We posted about them the next day; they were overrun and ran out of most things.

I talked to the manager and warned them, they swore they were ready.

It was just a strange set up too. You had live music right next to the order kiosk area in the front and you could not hear the person taking your order. On top of that they kept saying they were out of stuff. We had the corn dip and it was good the Mahi Mahi tacos were okay, but nothing to write home about. I honestly don’t think we will go back because there are plenty of places here that already do this style of food and do it masterfully. Be careful with the frozen drinks, they cost double the amount of a dessert. Haha!

[ManAboutTown]

We went and checked out both the Marlin Bar and Cloudpuncher on Saturday.

We walked into Marlin Bar at around 9:40 pm and sat at the bar. The bartender informed us that they close at 10 pm, which I find to be a little early for a Saturday night. Regardless, we ordered cocktails and they both arrived quickly. I had the Tropical Mule and she had the Frozen Mai Tai.

The Mule was probably THE best mule I've ever had. It was crisp and cold and the mix of flavors was top-notch. The Mai Tai was also as good, icy and creamy and with shaved coconut topping the drink. Both were a great start to the evening. After tax and tip, the tab was $40, so this place is not for budget-minded individuals.

We then walked over to the Lively Hotel, passing by the "Cloudpuncher" sculpture on the west side of the building. It's beautiful, as is the building itself. We rode the elevator to the 2nd floor and found the bar to be fairly busy but fortunately found 2 seats at the bar. She had a Vodka and Soda and I had a Tequila and Tonic. Both drinks were fairly strong but tasty and we had no complaints there. With tax and tip, the tab was $30, so this place is similarly priced as the Marlin Bar, as we had specialty cocktails there and well drinks at Cloudpuncher. The bartender told us that Cloudpuncher closes at 11 p.m. on Saturdays for now but will extend their hours to midnight on weekends soon, after the development fully opens.

All in all, we received great service at both places, enjoyed our cocktails, and it made for a great evening! This area is a WONDERFUL addition to the social scene in Oklahoma City and I look forward to patronizing both locations, as well as the other shops, stores, and restaurants opening. Great job, OKC, and thanks for doing an awesome job of covering this development for the last several years, Pete!

[Pete]

^

Thanks for the detailed report.

Remember, Capital Grille also has a very nice bar area that doesn't require reservations.

And Mesero is really moving now and they hope to be open around the first of the year. I believe there will be at least four more restaurants in this development before they are finished.

[ManAboutTown]

^

Thanks for the detailed report.

Remember, Capital Grille also has a very nice bar area that doesn't require reservations.

And Mesero is really moving now and they hope to be open around the first of the year. I believe there will be at least four more restaurants in this development before they are finished.

Yes, we were planning on hitting Capital Grille too but started our evening a little too late to stop in for a drink. I am hoping to do that this week.

One of the nicer things about the evening is that we were able to just pull in and park without using the valet. Also, the parking lot was well-lighted and there was a security guard present. I'm looking forward to stopping in for Happy Hour soon and trying the bar bites. This area is outstanding.

[sooner88]

Yes, we were planning on hitting Capital Grille too but started our evening a little too late to stop in for a drink. I am hoping to do that this week.

One of the nicer things about the evening is that we were able to just pull in and park without using the valet. Also, the parking lot was well-lighted and there was a security guard present. I'm looking forward to stopping in for Happy Hour soon and trying the bar bites. This area is outstanding.

I'm also surprised that Capital Grille closes at 10 on the weekends. We went to dinner a few Friday's ago and were planning to stop by Capital Grille for a night cap, and expected them to at least be open until 11 on F/Sat.

[AnguisHerba]

I'm also surprised that Capital Grille closes at 10 on the weekends. We went to dinner a few Friday's ago and were planning to stop by Capital Grille for a night cap, and expected them to at least be open until 11 on F/Sat.

I've heard they are not quite operating a full capacity yet because they want to get the core staff some experience and work out the kinks before going to full capacity.

[sooner88]

I've heard they are not quite operating a full capacity yet because they want to get the core staff some experience and work out the kinks before going to full capacity.

They're currently using the same hours as their fully operational restaurants in KC and Dallas, so unless we're an outlier I wouldn't expect them to extend the hours further here.

[ManAboutTown]

They're currently using the same hours as their fully operational restaurants in KC and Dallas, so unless we're an outlier I wouldn't expect them to extend the hours further here.

Agreed.

I will say this, the Cloudpuncher at the Lively Hotel should do a good amount of business once the apartments are completed and occupied. Who wouldn't want to walk out a door, cross a parking lot, and be able to have a cocktail, food, and a nice place to watch a late Thunder game? That place is going to kill it, in my opinion.

[Pete]

1. You can see a concession trailer which indicates they are getting ready to install the ice rink for the holidays. They have also been installing Christmas lights throughout -- should be really a great setting. (Lots of smaller lights wrapping all the trees).

2. Mesero is really cooking now.

1, 3, & 4. They continue to install really nice seating areas all around the center of the development.

5. The west facade is still being completed and the leasing office is yet to open for the apartments. I don't think they can move anyone in until the west entrance to the garage is open.

[Pete]

Also, they are reworking the steel structure for the pavilion at the south end of the park (first photo is the before).

I know they have a deal for that building and I believe it will be Shake Shack.

[OkieBerto]

Pete do you know why ALO covered up their logo on the Yoga shop on the Corner in front of the small building? They are still planning on opening in OAK right?

[Pete]

Pete do you know why ALO covered up their logo on the Yoga shop on the Corner in front of the small building? They are still planning on opening in OAK right?

Yes.

They just recently added their name and "hiring for spring of 2025" to those graphics, then covered up their name with tape.

I suppose they want to do a big press release first. OAK still isn't showing Blue Mercury on their site plan and has never announced that either, but their space is nearing completion.

They have a big PR firm handling all this and those operations always want to control how and when information comes out, to try and earn their keep if nothing else.

[brianinok]

Also, they are reworking the steel structure for the pavilion at the south end of the park (first photo is the before).

I know they have a deal for that building and I believe it will be Shake Shack.

I hope you're right that this will be a Shake Shack. Was there yesterday and this is a very small pavilion. Looks more appropriate for a little ice cream shop or coffee shop. I've never seen a free standing Shake Shack this small. The development is really nice. Can't wait until it is finished. Just wish it had one upscale anchor like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, or something. Still hoping for Vineyard Vines among others.

[OkieBerto]

Original Shake Shacks were tiny. This is literally the wiki-pedia image for a shake shack.

[Pete]

If it is Shake Shack, I imagine it will be a lot like the Spark in Scissortail Park.

Small on the inside but lots of people will sit outside or take their food to the many seating areas in the common spaces.