Colcord Hotel

[Pete]

Found this photo on the Colcord FB page...

It's the new Terrace meeting / events room on the 2nd floor in the new addition to the hotel.

[LakeEffect]

Basically, ordinance in OKC does not allow open air bars that cannot be completely shuttered at night.

Isn't that a Health Dept., thing, not an OKC code thing?

[Bellaboo]

Found this photo on the Colcord FB page...

It's the new Terrace meeting / events room on the 2nd floor in the new addition to the hotel.

This is as cool as the geodes in the lobby bathrooms of the Colcord. My sister can not get over how they cut, covered with some kind of accrylic and made the surface for the lavoratory sinks with them.

Claims they are downright stunning.

[Praedura]

Claims they are downright stunnig.

"Stunnig"? Ja, das ist ein gutes word. Ich agree.

[Praedura]

I would describe that decor (in somewhat California-esque speak) as "totally globular".

[Praedura]

Just hope those wires are strong.

[betts]

This is as cool as the geodes in the lobby bathrooms of the Colcord. My sister can not get over how they cut, covered with some kind of accrylic and made the surface for the lavoratory sinks with them.

Claims they are downright stunnig.

They are amazing. It's worth a trip to the Colcord to take a look at them.

[Praedura]

It's worth a trip to the Colcord to take a look at them.

That would be an interesting trip. Here's the scenario:

Clerk: Hello, welcome to the Colcord. Would you like a room?
Me: No, uh... actually I just came here to... um, see something?
Clerk: Oh yes, what?
Me: Well, I just wanted to have a look at.... uh, the um... the geodes in the bathroom.
Clerk: The what???
Me: The uh... the geodes in the bathroom.
Clerk (turns to co-worker): Another one want to see the geodes! (co-worker shakes his head)
Clerk: Yeah, sure, go right ahead.
Me (sheepishly): Oh, ok, thanks.

[jedicurt]

That would be an interesting trip. Here's the scenario:

Clerk: Hello, welcome to the Colcord. Would you like a room?
Me: No, uh... actually I just came here to... um, see something?
Clerk: Oh yes, what?
Me: Well, I just wanted to have a look at.... uh, the um... the geodes in the bathroom.
Clerk: The what???
Me: The uh... the geodes in the bathroom.
Clerk (turns to co-worker): Another one want to see the geodes! (co-worker shakes his head)
Clerk: Yeah, sure, go right ahead.
Me (sheepishly): Oh, ok, thanks.

haha. that would be awesome to witness first hand

[peanutgallery]

Glad to find out I'm not alone on this one! Back in August I was in the Colcord and used the lobby bathroom.......WOW, i couldn't believe how unique and beautiful the sink counter area was. Had to pull out my cell phone and take a FEW PICS. I was just glad no one saw me! I occassionally use these pics for my cell phone WALLPAPER!!! At least now.......I feel much better

[UnFrSaKn]

Imagine how many more unique buildings we had other than the Colcord that were just as beautiful or even more. We need to take care of what's left and always keep an eye out for other structures that are neglected. There are many, many structures that have had decades of neglect. See the Rock Island Plow Building thread. The old First Christian Church where Frontline is now is a better example of architecture that's long gone. There was a "sister" church comparable to it across from where the Pioneer Building is, but it was torn down in the 20s. Speaking of the Pioneer Building, I'm glad they are cleaning the exterior and taking care of it. It's the oldest, most ornate building downtown. It was built in 1907. That's as old as it gets downtown.

This is the oldest aerial photo I have and have seen. Only the Colcord, Pioneer Building, and the old Oklahoman Building are left standing today. This is before the Skirvin was built. There are still dirt streets. Imagine the history these buildings have seen. They out date everything in the city now and most people alive, and hopefully will outlast us too.

[UnFrSaKn]

In the upper left side of that aerial, you can see the Baptist White Temple I mentioned. It was one of the only other churches downtown with columns and a dome that was ever built.


Pioneer Building is being built so this must be 1906-1907. The photo is taken from the roof of the India Temple Building where SandRidge HQ is now.


Baptist White Temple

Sorry if this got off track. I think there's a natural appreciation for craftsmanship that is no longer used in buildings. Even something as simple as a bathroom.

Another example would be the lobby of First National. I'll be so glad when that building gets the attention it deserves and a good owner for it.

[UnFrSaKn]

Just for fun, here's a modern view of the 1910 aerial. What a difference 102 years makes. (without Devon Tower)

[Urbanized]

What's really amazing about that 1910 photo is that all of those buildings in that photo were built in the preceding 21 years, that is, the time between the Land Run and when the photo was taken. That's nearly the same amount of time that has elapsed since the first MAPS was passed. And we think we have a building boom in downtown OKC today...puts it all into perspective.

[Urbanized]

BTW, I collect historic post cards of downtown OKC (and of some of the cities I have visited), and I have two that are pertinent to where this conversation has gone in the past few posts. One is a rare (in my experience) card that shows the Colcord, but it includes the twin west wing that was never built. Another card is of the Pioneer Telephone building. The card itself is not rare, but on the reverse side, postmarked OKC in 1910 and addressed to someone in another town, the writer has drawn an arrow to a ground floor window fronting 3rd (Dean A. McGee), and written something along the lines of "this is where my office is." So, a postcard FROM a person working on the ground floor of that building in 1910. Well, it's interesting to me, anyway...

[UnFrSaKn]

Sounds cool! I posted the old photos I have of the Pioneer Building just now on that thread.

[UnFrSaKn]

[Urbanized]

That's the one! Now, if you post MY Pioneer Telephone card with the inscription pointing to where the author worked, I'll really be creeped out...

[Praedura]

Just for fun, here's a modern view of the 1910 aerial. What a difference 102 years makes. (without Devon Tower)

Wow! That is an amazing before-and-after comparison.

[HangryHippo]

Man, we really lost a lot of historic gems.

[Bellaboo]

Man, we really lost a lot of historic gems.

The biggest regret to me is the Baum Building and the Biltmore Hotel, but they also tore down a bunch of crap too.

[Just the facts]

Man, we really lost a lot of historic gems.

Personally, I would prefer the 'before' picture.

[HangryHippo]

Personally, I would prefer the 'before' picture.

Honestly, I think I kind of would too.

[catch22]

Honestly, I think I kind of would too.

+1

[Bellaboo]

Honestly, I think I kind of would too.

It looks like Cincinatti 20 years ago to me........can't see why anyone would prefer that over modern and sleek. Don't get me wrong, I like the larger older buildings with character, but just not all of the one and two story flop houses in mass.