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."
Originally Posted by MalibuSooner
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