Preftakes Block

[Teo9969]

So, just speculation here, but a large downtown law firm has been told it needs to move. Preftakes needs an "anchor tenant" to build a spec office development/tower downtown. Hmmmm. Could be a match made in heaven.

No way a new tower would be done in time.

[lasomeday]

So, just speculation here, but a large downtown law firm has been told it needs to move. Preftakes needs an "anchor tenant" to build a spec office development/tower downtown. Hmmmm. Could be a match made in heaven.

Hey ChaseDweller, so who moved into the office space Devon left behind them? Is the Chase Tower fully leased?

[ChaseDweller]

No it is not fully leased, but there are no large blocks of contiguous space that could accommodate a large tenant. IMO, Management is not great and there is a significant amount of deferred maintenance.

[Jeepnokc]

Last I heard, the law firm had to be out in October. Also, I heard through the grapevine that they 30-40 thousand sq feet at a minimum. I have no clue where they would be going but that is a lot of sq footage needs.

[Pete]

The Braniff Building may be the only Class A contiguous space that would be available in that timeframe.

[HOT ROD]

Or maybe the Sandridge building? I forget its new name.

[Pete]

Or maybe the Sandridge building? I forget its new name.

Parkside. But it won't be open by October... That's only a few months away.

[vaflyer]

Parkside. But it won't be open by October... That's only a few months away.

I believe the lease expires in October 2015. Another thread on the Continental Oil Center discussed the date.

[Pete]

^

Thanks for the clarification. That's still a long way away.

[UnFrSaKn]

[Patrick]

I really hope that they keep Hotel Black in tact. I'd rather see the tower go in place of the bus station than see Hotel Black torn down. It would make a nice boutique hotel to be right next to a new tower, kinda like the Colcord does with Devon.

[catcherinthewry]

I really hope that they keep Hotel Black in tact. I'd rather see the tower go in place of the bus station than see Hotel Black torn down. It would make a nice boutique hotel to be right next to a new tower, kinda like the Colcord does with Devon.

Totally agree.

[Patrick]

Preftakes is just an interesting character that isn't letting anyone see his hand. And when we finally do determine what his plan is, it can change drastically in a matter of minutes.

[mcca7596]

It seems like just the half-block from the city offices east to Hudson (including Carpenter Square) would be enough space to build a sizable tower. If not there, then just the southeast corner where the bus station is.

[bombermwc]

Last I heard, the law firm had to be out in October. Also, I heard through the grapevine that they 30-40 thousand sq feet at a minimum. I have no clue where they would be going but that is a lot of sq footage needs.

That's with the assumption that they stay downtown. There are options outside of downtown. My office is about to move about 75K sf to a new location, with almost that much more over the next few years....all to one location. <- NOT downtown.

[PhiAlpha]

Crowe and dunleavy has been downtown for nearly their entire existence, doubt they move out of it.

[UnFrSaKn]

Devon Energy Center Aerials (July 26 2013) - a set on Flickr

[Pete]

It seems like just the half-block from the city offices east to Hudson (including Carpenter Square) would be enough space to build a sizable tower. If not there, then just the southeast corner where the bus station is.

That's long been the rumor... That Devon would expand on the Carpenter Sq. site.

I can't imagine One North Hudson / Hotel Black ever being demolished, especially since it is currently in a fine functioning state.

It sounds like the auto hotel is the historic structure that is more likely in peril.

[PhiAlpha]

That's long been the rumor... That Devon would expand on the Carpenter Sq. site.

I can't imagine One North Hudson / Hotel Black ever being demolished, especially since it is currently in a fine functioning state.

It sounds like the auto hotel is the historic structure that is more likely in peril.

Looks like there is pleanty of room for two towers on that side without knocking down anything other than carpenders square, the buildings from to the west of it to the city building, and the bus station.

[Pete]

Looks like there is pleanty of room for two towers on that side without knocking down anything other than carpenders square, the buildings from to the west of it to the city building, and the bus station.

Yes, but there also has to be significant parking and I don't think that old structure is going to cut it.

It seems that all signs (rumors and educated opinion) point to it not being a part of the long-term plan for that block.

[UnFrSaKn]

I stopped by this block for the first time since 2010. I had lunch at Nebu with some people and the weather turned, then rained on me after I left. I will have to come back but got decent footage earlier. I'm working on it now.

[mcca7596]

It sounds like the auto hotel is the historic structure that is more likely in peril.

Yes, but there also has to be significant parking and I don't think that old structure is going to cut it.

It seems that all signs (rumors and educated opinion) point to it not being a part of the long-term plan for that block.

That's too bad, I thought both 1 N. Hudson and the Auto Hotel were pretty much safe from the wrecking ball; I personally like the architecture of the Auto Hotel better than 1 N. Hudson if I had to choose one to save, but I understand that it would be much easier to convert/upgrade 1 N. Hudson since it is already office space.

[UnFrSaKn]

Block West of Devon Energy Center (July 29 2013) - a set on Flickr

[Patrick]

Hey guys, I had a meeting tonight at the Oklahoma State Medical Association. One of the doctors there that I was talking with this evening is a real estate developer on the side, and is working with Preftakes on his redevelopment of the area he owns. He told me that the first phase will be the redevelopment of Hotel Black into a 70 room boutique hotel with restaurant on the ground floor. He said Preftakes plans to sit on the rest of the area for now (waiting for whatever deals might come his way) but he won't rule out a possible tower in the future. Said it depends on what Devon does. But based on this source and his closeness, I can say with 100% confidence that the plans now are to convert Hotel Black back to it's original use!

[Pete]

Thanks for the info., Patrick. Will be interesting to see who operates this... Perhaps Paul Coury? He/they are busy with the Osler/Ambassador but this property would be right up his alley.


Would love to see One North Hudson / Hotel Black with the windows restored to the original double-hung type. Also, the stonework at the top has really grayed. I'm sure they plan to clean it up so it really stands out again. It also looks like a fair bit of the ornamentation at the top was removed at some point.

And the top of this building is just crying out for a rooftop bar (or two).