Blair Upholstery

[Pete]

[template=]
development
|category1=Plaza District
|category2=
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|project=
|address=1732 NW 16th
|status=proposed
|owner=David Wanzer
|cost=
|architect=
|start=
|finish=
|contractor=
|height=1 story
|sq. feet=4,500
|acreage=
|other=
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|image=
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[/template]
Information & Latest News

David Wanzer -- prominent designer/developer who offices in Film Row -- was set to close on 1/10/13 on the old Blair Upholstery building immediately east of Empire Slice House in the Plaza District.

According to reliable sources, the building will be renovated and split between a new pub and retail use.
Links

County Assessor Record
Gallery

[Pete]

Oklahoma City developer purchases two neglected buildings | NewsOK.com

[Spartan]

Definitely a prime location on the strip. A bar would be cool and mix well with Empire which wasn't really envisioned as a bar but is used more as one (ie wait staff clearly doesn't know the beer menu as well as the pies)

[BoulderSooner]

Bars (abc3) are not allowed in the plaza

[OKCisOK4me]

Bars (abc3) are not allowed in the plaza

I'm confused. I thought Saint's was a bar...

[catch22]

No it's a full service restaurant. 50% sales are by food sales.

[Urbanized]

...according to their ABC-2 license application... ..wink, wink...

[shawnw]

I was gonna say... their food service is so slow because they have such limited kitchen capacity (last I was there anyway, and it's been awhile), I don't see how half the people in there when it's packed can be eating. And I've been in there when it was standing room and hardly anyone was eating, just drinking and socializing. I know, though, completely unscientific observation and I'm sure the receipts tell the true story.

[catch22]

i was gonna say... Their food service is so slow because they have such limited kitchen capacity (last i was there anyway, and it's been awhile), i don't see how half the people in there when it's packed can be eating. And i've been in there when it was standing room and hardly anyone was eating, just drinking and socializing. I know, though, completely unscientific observation and i'm sure the receipts tell the true story.

shhhhhhshhhhsssshhhhhhh!!

[Pete]

They just received design review approval to clean up and improve the facade of this building.

Still waiting for more information about the proposed pub and retail space.

[warreng88]

I'm a little disappointed they aren't keeping and refurbishing the old door on the left (east) side. I would think that would be a cool entrance to the new restaurant. JMHO.

[Urbanized]

That door cornice was not original and is inappropriate for the building. They are restoring it to its original appearance, including uncovering the transom windows. Trust me, you'll like the results.

My prediction is that this building will win a facade renovation reward at the Oklahoma Main Street conference if submitted. The before and after photos are certain to be starkly dramatic.

[Pete]

Looks like those transom windows may be similar to Saints:

[CuatrodeMayo]

Looks like those transom windows may be similar to Saints:

I really wish they would reconstruct the canopy between the canopy and transom. If you look closely at the picture you can see small, green ornaments above the transom. This is likely where the canopy support chain/rods used to attach.

[Urbanized]

Yeah, it would make the seating area in front of Saints spectacular. Currently it's only nice. There might be a long-term recoup of the investment, though the patio is already well-used.

[warreng88]

That door cornice was not original and is inappropriate for the building. They are restoring it to its original appearance, including uncovering the transom windows. Trust me, you'll like the results.

My prediction is that this building will win a facade renovation reward at the Oklahoma Main Street conference if submitted. The before and after photos are certain to be starkly dramatic.

Didn't know it wasn't original, thanks for the clarification. What are transom windows? From Pete's picture, it says, "New storefront windows and frames in existing openings". Do you mean the original look of the windows? Thanks in advance.

[Urbanized]

Right, that probably means the original transom frames were rotted behind that siding OR (more likely) were removed entirely when the "modern" storefront was installed years ago. So it looks like the developer will be attempting to restore the window openings as closely as possible to what was original. Makes sense, knowing the new owner, who has a strong appreciation for old buildings.

There are a number of examples of this approach in other areas of town. A couple that come to mind for me are Hideaway Pizza and Plenty Mercantile on Broadway. If you saw the before photos (wish I had them handy) you would see storefronts which look NOTHING like what is there today, both of which are close reproductions of the originals. In the case of Plenty they actually had much more of the intact building history to work from, but it was covered by hideous tin. By the way, when I say "before" I don't mean immediately prior to the current tenants; I'm talking about renovations that occurred circa 1998 or 1999.

One thing about Plaza is that it is Main Street affiliated (like Automobile Alley used to be) so the program encourages renovation from an HP bias. It's not always possible, but definitely preferred when it is, and I think it is pretty hard to argue with the results, from a business perspective.

[OKC plaza]

One thing about Plaza is that it is Main Street affiliated (like Automobile Alley used to be) so the program encourages renovation from an HP bias. It's not always possible, but definitely preferred when it is, and I think it is pretty hard to argue with the results, from a business perspective.

We aren't a Main Street organization anymore. Since the Commercial District Revitalization Program with City of OKC came along, it really helped us address issues unique to urban areas that Main Street wasn't focused on. We still operate under the principals and ideas of Main Street. It's a wonderful program.

[Urbanized]

Yeah, I was thinking that might be the case but wasn't sure. But operating on the Main Street model (which does not require actually BEING a Main Street program, past or present) is definitely a recipe for success. Tried and true methodology.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Instagram#

[Pete]

I'm sure Kristen won't mind us post this here:

[shawnw]

are they adding facade or removing it?

[Pete]

Removing:

[UnFrSaKn]

Looks better already.

[warreng88]

Drove by it last night and it looks like the inside is very close to being emptied out, if not entirely. I would think from the picture above and the good weather over the next week (minus Saturday) they will get a ton done. I am still waiting to hear what is going in there in the way of dining. Sean Cummings expansion?