Level Apartments

[Just the facts]

Given the lot orientation I would like to see something like this.

[HangryHippo]

Given the lot orientation I would like to see something like this.

With different colors, I wouldn't mind that at all.

[Snowman]

Seems a little small for another 'Level'. I would hope they build a toweresque type building and not some box apartment complex that has 2-3 stories.

However, I hope it is attractive looking for the sake of people in Maywood Lofts that face the north.

Probably more like the east or west wing of level as an independent building.

[Teo9969]

I was in Houston this week and saw two structures whose "style" I think would work well in that spot...Probably not going to get anything this high quality, but we can certainly dream.

Koch Building:





Cosmopolitan Condos

[Teo9969]

Also, another thing I noticed while in Houston...

Developments like we've seen rendered for The Edge @ Midtown are a dime a dozen down there, and I was really bummed because it made the Edge seem less special to me.

Compared to Houston and other developments like it that I've seen in Dallas, Level, aesthetically, is fairly unique, so it's got that going for it.

[betts]

You would think, since they're going to have to put parking in, that unless they're going underground for parking it's going to have to be a taller structure to be cost effective. I'm not sure why you wouldn't go up, when at this point in time apartments are in big demand. I wonder who is going to be the unfortunate person who builds the last apartment building downtown: the one who finds out the demand for rentals is gone. They'll almost assuredly overbuild, since that is the nature of developers.

[BoulderSooner]

You would think, since they're going to have to put parking in, that unless they're going underground for parking it's going to have to be a taller structure to be cost effective. I'm not sure why you wouldn't go up, when at this point in time apartments are in big demand. I wonder who is going to be the unfortunate person who builds the last apartment building downtown: the one who finds out the demand for rentals is gone. They'll almost assuredly overbuild, since that is the nature of developers.

the guy who builds the "last" apt building won't have any problem .... places like deep deuce apts ..will be the ones that have the problems when that time comes

[betts]

It is true that many of those who own nothing more permanent than a lease are looking for the next new thing. Maybe places like Deep Deuce, with some refurbishing, could become the less expensive "for sale" housing people are looking for. At least the front of The Deep deuce apartments are all brick, the trees are mature and the location is great.

[BoulderSooner]

It is true that many of those who own nothing more permanent than a lease are looking for the next new thing. Maybe places like Deep Deuce, with some refurbishing, could become the less expensive "for sale" housing people are looking for. At least the front of The Deep deuce apartments are all brick, the trees are mature and the location is great.

that is a very interesting point .. and would be great for OKC .

[Just the facts]

I was in Houston this week and saw two structures whose "style" I think would work well in that spot...Probably not going to get anything this high quality, but we can certainly dream.

I think those building are a little too big to fit on this lot. One thing to keep in mind when we go from segregated zoning to mixed use is that the building need to stay in scale with each other (aka form-based code). A building on this lot you need to stay in the 3 to 5 story range, otherwise it will tower over the residential right next door. However, you might be in luck with Preftakes and Stage Center. To stay in scale they will need to be pretty big.

[Teo9969]

I think those building are a little too big to fit on this lot. One thing to keep in mind when we go from segregated zoning to mixed use is that the building need to stay in scale with each other (aka form-based code). A building on this lot you need to stay in the 3 to 5 story range, otherwise it will tower over the residential right next door. However, you might be in luck with Preftakes and Stage Center. To stay in scale they will need to be pretty big.

The footprints of them both would certainly need to be sized down, and it's more certain elements of those buildings that I really like architecturally, not necessarily something super close to those.

I think towering over the residential would be okay in this case. Not dwarfing, but as catch22 said, I think a 10ish story mixed-use tower would serve as a great anchor to the district. I think you could also do condos on the upper floors that would likely sell for pretty good. I think it would also help the transition from CBD to Deep Deuce since a tallish tower will likely eventually end up on the 4th and EK Gaylord Triangle. Aloft is 7 stories and there's still the plot across from the Maywood Apartments that could go taller (6 or 7 stories) to tie everything in.

[Just the facts]

The footprints of them both would certainly need to be sized down, and it's more certain elements of those buildings that I really like architecturally, not necessarily something super close to those.

I kind of noticed you were favoring the broken box design. One thing about that style is you have to be able to see the entire building at once to appreciate it. That usually requires that is be built right in the middle of a large lot with nothing obstructing the view on all sides.

[Teo9969]

I kind of noticed you were favoring the broken box design. One thing about that style is you have to be able to see the entire building at once to appreciate it. That usually requires that is be built right in the middle of a large lot with nothing obstructing the view on all sides.

That's true...That's why I think if you incorporated some of those elements in the portions of a 10 story tower that sticks out above the rest of the development in Deep Deuce, it would be pretty sure for those elements to be seen from any vantage point in the district, you could do some interesting balconies for condos, I think, and maybe even a patio for a 6th/7th floor restaurant/martini bar

[BDP]

I'm not sure they are allowed to go much taller. I'm not sure how big of an area the restriction covers, but I know there is about a 5 story max restriction in most of Maywood park.

[Pete]

Plans for the new Richard McKown project west of Oklahoma and north of the Maywood Lofts seem to be shaping up.

I'm hearing it will be another rental project, about 100 units at 3-5 floors. Believe these will be more high-end (much needed, BTW).


We should see something more concrete soon.

[Praedura]

We should see something more concrete soon.

When I first looked at that sentence, I read it too quickly and thought I saw "We should see more concrete soon".
But I guess it works fine either way.

[OKCisOK4me]

When I first looked at that sentence, I read it too quickly and thought I saw "We should see more concrete soon".
But I guess it works fine either way.

That's funny cause I saw the same thing as well! I guess we were both hoping for something other than match stick construction!

[Pete]

How's this for a slice of OKC's burgeoning urban life??

Skyline in the background, Aloft under construction, Level pretty well finished, Native Roots almost open, one person on a Spokies bike and another about to check one out.


I know we all want more and better and faster, but this scene shows amazing progress from just a year ago and sometimes it's important to stop and appreciate such things.

[Just the facts]

I also like the solar panel to power the kiosk.

[ethansisson]

Too bad OKC has an ordinance requiring helmets on city streets/property. That's going to seriously diminish the success of the Spokies bikes.

[wschnitt]

Too bad OKC has an ordinance requiring helmets on city streets/property. That's going to seriously diminish the success of the Spokies bikes.

That ordinance is not enforced.

[ethansisson]

That ordinance is not enforced.

Is it policy that it's not enforced, or just "nobody is ever actually cited for it."

[BoulderSooner]

Too bad OKC has an ordinance requiring helmets on city streets/property. That's going to seriously diminish the success of the Spokies bikes.

i thought that was only for under 18? ......

and if not .. i can ride a motorcycle in okc with out a helmet but not a bike??

[BoulderSooner]

thanks sid

[TechArch]

Does anyone know which contractor worked on Level?