Stage Center

[Spartan]

My username is not made to suggest platonic meanings such as a platonic relationship.

Wait this panda is not platonic?

[Snowman]

Pump your brakes, I'm still trying to get over the fact that you're not a panda made of plutonium.

I have doubts he is the red spy from TF2 either

[Plutonic Panda]

Pump your brakes, I'm still trying to get over the fact that you're not a panda made of plutonium.

I know, I know, it is shocking. I had to go under some pretty insensitive therapy when I found out myself.

[Plutonic Panda]

Wait this panda is not platonic?

It could be for the right price

[okrednk]

Historic preservationists = potential terrorists.

gotcha.

Cuatro,

I'm all for saving historic gems. Stage center is not one of them. If someone was trying to tear down the uhaul building, I would expect major opposition.

[shawnw]

Cuatro,

I'm all for saving historic gems. Stage center is not one of them. If someone was trying to tear down the uhaul building, I would expect major opposition.

But I suspect many would support tearing the "uhaul" OFF the building...

[CurtisJ]

But I suspect many would support tearing the "uhaul" OFF the building...

Are you insane!? that truck is a historic ICON!

[UnFrSaKn]

Are you insane!? that truck is a historic ICON!

I'd rather have the original Iten Biscuit Company Building.



Vintage Oklahoma City - Iten Biscuit Company

[shawnw]

I'd rather have the original Iten Biscuit Company Building.

That was my point. By "tear the Uhaul off" I meant all signs of it ever being a Uhaul, not just the truck.

[Urbanized]

If there were a demolition debate surrounding the U-Haul/Iten Biscuit Co. Building, there would be a similar loud chorus screaming "tear it down" and calling those who want preservation "extremists." It's the most predictable part of EVERY public demolition/preservation discussion, for EVERY threatened building.

[kevinpate]

If there were a demolition debate surrounding the U-Haul/Iten Biscuit Co. Building, there would be a similar loud chorus screaming "tear it down" and calling those who want preservation "extremists." It's the most predictable part of EVERY public demolition/preservation discussion, for EVERY threatened building.

True, but I suspect a lot of folks would be chanting different chants and waving different signs at the Uhaul bldg.

[Urbanized]

There would only be a different set of people seeking preservation. I doubt the public in general would be up in arms.

[BDP]

Cuatro,

I'm all for saving historic gems. Stage center is not one of them. If someone was trying to tear down the uhaul building, I would expect major opposition.

That would be interesting. It would certainly reinforce the prevailing desire for homogeneity in Oklahoma City. I'm not saying it's not a neat building, but more so for it's age than any interesting architectural features. Every city that built a warehouse / industrial district in the first part of the 20th century has several buildings like that. We're lucky that the bricktown area was largely unaffected by urban renewal and I am opposed to any demolition in the area, but it would certainly be a head scratcher for me if the community was able to save the uhaul building after losing a truly unique Stage Center and a truly historic India Temple. Maybe not surprising, but confusing to me at least.

[okrednk]

But I suspect many would support tearing the "uhaul" OFF the building...

Absolutely agree, would be an amazing looking building if they can pull that shell off that baby.

[CurtisJ]

Are you insane!? that truck is a historic ICON!

Just to clarify, that was sarcasm.

[shawnw]

Just to clarify, that was sarcasm.

I figured, but was clarifying also :-)

[Urbanized]

Getting off-topic here. Let's remember that this thread isn't about the U-Haul building. It's the thread where people pound their fists in rage, disgusted that anyone might actually LIKE Stage Center, and demand that it be torn down...IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!11

[kevinpate]

Not entirely. I'm fine if it takes until August.

[mkjeeves]

I do loathe the U-Haul building in its present form.

[Spartan]

Knock it down then

[mkjeeves]

Aesthetically it would be an improvement. As it is, the appearance is somewhere between 4 acres of billboard, metal building siding and/or dryvit and it's been that way for decades.

[betts]

It looks great underneath though, I bet.

[Urbanized]

The facade is 100% preserved (under paint, which can be easily removed). Even the casement windows are intact. The hardwood floors inside are in good shape, if painted, and the storage units are mostly plywood built between the concrete columns, which could be removed in a couple of days by a couple of guys with a Bobcat and a couple of sledgehammers. It is the single best candidate for loft conversion left downtown.

But enough about U-Haul...back to beating our fists on the table and demanding immediate demolition of the most internationally-acclaimed building in OKC!

[mkjeeves]

Metal building siding and dryvit were too kind. It looks like a building boarded up with T1-11. Fugly.

I'd take Stage Center if I had to chose. <fist bang>

[Spartan]

Aesthetically it would be an improvement. As it is, the appearance is somewhere between 4 acres of billboard, metal building siding and/or dryvit and it's been that way for decades.

You're problem is lack of vision. That's why people have piled on against you in other threads. Combine the notion of "what would be best here" with "what could this become." That requires the capacity to visualize something better.

The Uhaul Bldg is an awesome bldg underneath that horrific outer layer, and Stage Center (getting back to the subject) could be an incredible landmark in the fashion of the Pompidou Center or Louvre. It never had any streetscape and that's why OKC never appreciated this work of art and let it deteriorate.