First National Center

[UnFrSaKn]

I decided to try Cafe 7 today and this is my first time visiting the Great Banking Hall. Wow...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/willia...7645439516687/

[CuatrodeMayo]

I don't think the glass was ever clear; more translucent:

I didn't say it was, but that clear glass would really be interesting.

[David]

I decided to try Cafe 7 today and this is my first time visiting the Great Banking Hall. Wow...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/willia...7645439516687/

Wow is right, that is such a fantastic building. Thanks for the photos!

[hoya]

I decided to try Cafe 7 today and this is my first time visiting the Great Banking Hall. Wow...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/willia...7645439516687/

It's amazing isn't it? Hard to believe we have something like that here. Love your pictures, by the way.

[Pete]

What's sad is that people like Will who truly love OKC have never seen the Great Banking Hall.

Just goes to show how such an incredible asset is going largely to waste and has been for decades. Even back when it was the bank lobby, most people never knew it was there.


Really, really hope it becomes a place that welcomes the public and invites them to linger.

It might be the most beautiful space in the entire state.

[zookeeper]

I decided to try Cafe 7 today and this is my first time visiting the Great Banking Hall. Wow...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/willia...7645439516687/

Well, for your first visit you made it a memorable one! What wonderful pictures, Will. Really. Thanks for taking the pictures ---- and sharing with us!

[UnFrSaKn]

The two escalators going up to the Hall said "not for public access" but the steps were open. One other guy came up briefly while me and my girlfriend went up. There are people walking by and going in and out constantly down the hallways on the first floor. It's just eerie and the sounds echo like you're in a church. It's also pretty dark. The only natural light comes through the two doors and center revolving door at the entrance, and the artificial light from the skylight and ornate hanging lamps. Save for the State Capitol, this is the most awe-inspiring space I've ever been in. Every bit of what you see is marble/stone. Built to last hundreds of years. I didn't stay long since all the parking nearby on the meters is one hour only.

[Urbanized]

When you step up to the teller windows, your feet settle into impressions in the marble floor made by generations of people doing their banking there. You can LITERALLY stand in the footsteps of our forefathers.

[Pete]

It seems the “dream team” of local developers are very much in the picture for gaining control of First National Center.

My understanding is this group includes Mark Beffort, Andy Burnett, and Don Karchmer – and others as well.

There had been talk about them withdrawing but I was told by a reliable source that they came in with a strong, late bid and are one of the potential groups of buyers that were asked to make “final bids” by July 31st.

It may come down to them versus the previously-mentioned Alterra of Philadelphia.

No matter who may come out on top, it's a certainty they will need to work with Cathy O'Connor and the Alliance of Economic Development to obtain various incentives, grants, credits and financing. Cathy very successfully spearheaded a similar effort for the Skirvin Hotel.

The Skirvin was about a $50 million project; this will be 2 to 4 times that amount.

We probably won't know more until early next month.

[FighttheGoodFight]

It seems the “dream team” of local developers are very much in the picture for gaining control of First National Center.

My understanding is this group includes Mark Beffort, Andy Burnett, and Don Karchmer – and others as well.

There had been talk about them withdrawing but I was told by a reliable source that they came in with a strong, late bid and are one of the potential groups of buyers that were asked to make “final bids” by July 31st.

It may come down to them versus the previously-mentioned Alterra of Philadelphia.

No matter who may come out on top, it's a certainty they will need to work with Cathy O'Connor and the Alliance of Economic Development to obtain various incentives, grants, credits and financing. Cathy very successfully spearheaded a similar effort for the Skirvin Hotel.

The Skirvin was about a $50 million project; this will be 2 to 4 times that amount.

We probably won't know more until early next month.

I know FNC needs some work but $200 million to fix it up. Wow.

I would love to see this building shine again though.

[BoulderSooner]

It seems the “dream team” of local developers are very much in the picture for gaining control of First National Center.

My understanding is this group includes Mark Beffort, Andy Burnett, and Don Karchmer – and others as well.

There had been talk about them withdrawing but I was told by a reliable source that they came in with a strong, late bid and are one of the potential groups of buyers that were asked to make “final bids” by July 31st.

It may come down to them versus the previously-mentioned Alterra of Philadelphia.

No matter who may come out on top, it's a certainty they will need to work with Cathy O'Connor and the Alliance of Economic Development to obtain various incentives, grants, credits and financing. Cathy very successfully spearheaded a similar effort for the Skirvin Hotel.

The Skirvin was about a $50 million project; this will be 2 to 4 times that amount.

We probably won't know more until early next month.

This is huge. Great info Pete

[RadicalModerate]

Seeing the pictures of the First National Lobby reminded me how awe-inspiring it was to come up the stairs (or the escalator?) from the "Underground" during one of the first Opening Night Festivals. I had never had a reason to go into the bank and I had no idea that a space like that existed in downtown OKC. Unlike certain other--ahem--"structures" downtown, this one is definitely worth preserving. No matter what the immediate cost.

[Of Sound Mind]

Unlike certain other--ahem--"structures" downtown, this one is definitely worth preserving. No matter what the immediate cost.

Ding, ding, ding, ding! Johnny, we have a winner!

[warreng88]

Not to get sidetracked, but I have a feeling the public financing thing will come in to conversation with this and the possible convention center hotel. I could see this being a downer for the convention center hotel if FNC is turned in to some sort of hotel/other.

[PhiAlpha]

Not to get sidetracked, but I have a feeling the public financing thing will come in to conversation with this and the possible convention center hotel. I could see this being a downer for the convention center hotel if FNC is turned in to some sort of hotel/other.

Hopefully it's some combination of hotel, for sale housing, and / or apartments so that it won't be an issue. We should then still need the large convention center hotel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Urbanized]

Make no mistake, if demolition were ever honestly floated, there WOULD be people who would come out of the woodwork rabidly pro-demo and extremely irritated by the pro-preservation crowd. It happens every time a notable structure is threatened. The important thing here is that something be done before the situation devolves to the point where demolition becomes a defensible option.

[hoya]

Make no mistake, if demolition were ever honestly floated, there WOULD be people who would come out of the woodwork rabidly pro-demo and extremely irritated by the pro-preservation crowd. It happens every time a notable structure is threatened. The important thing here is that something be done before the situation devolves to the point where demolition becomes a defensible option.

The problem with freedom of speech is that some people are dumber than a bag of hammers, and they love to open their mouths and prove it.


Edit: I was not talking about Urbanized in this post, just for clarification.

[Rover]

Make no mistake, if demolition were ever honestly floated, there WOULD be people who would come out of the woodwork rabidly pro-demo and extremely irritated by the pro-preservation crowd. It happens every time a notable structure is threatened. The important thing here is that something be done before the situation devolves to the point where demolition becomes a defensible option.

The only way I could ever see the public being in any way supportive of demolition is if a HUGE taxpayer subsidy is required with no opportunity for economic development or direct $ return and it is for a private owner...maybe in the way that many on here are upset the city subsidized Bass Pro. I think the biggest danger is still for it to be a dead hole in the middle of downtown if no one can make it work financially for the foreseeable future. I think the City would not approve demo, but may not be amenable to exorbitant subsidy.

[Urbanized]

Rover, I am not saying "the public." I don't think "the public" is "supportive" of the Stage Center demo. Most of them are simply "meh," which by the way is the entire problem with SC. As far as FNC is concerned, you would DEFINITELY have a much more pronounced and passionate public outcry if demo were proposed, but if, for instance, the place were allowed to empty out (it's surprisingly not as far from that as many would think), and - for instance - the skylight being talked about here were vandalized and the place were open to the weather, whatever, there would definitely be an ACTIVE outcry from a small segment of people to tear it down, immediately. And truthfully, the people demanding/rooting for demo of SC are also a small segment.

The same thing happened during the SandRidge demos. People emerged from the woodwork to blast the preservation view, or at the very least say demo was a great idea. In retrospect many who were then dispassionate would now agree (based on the Braniff) that maybe some of those demolitions were ill-advised and a missed opportunity, especially along Robinson. Of course, you can't get a do-over there.

I'm just saying that no matter the building there will always be a contingent that equates "old" and "difficult" and "preservation" with "anti-progress," "obstructionist," "crazy," or whatever. If the FNC becomes publicly difficult to find a solution for, the demolition drumbeat will begin to sound.

[Rover]

I think many times it has to do with the building itself and how people relate to it. I don't believe anyone wanted the Skirvin demolished even though it was vacant for many years, and there was broad support for subsidizing it's revival. People didn't have so much of a personal relationship with the SR demos, for instance. Even people without vision can envision something good in the FNC. Public opinion will be WAY in favor of preservation and support. Unlike the SC which only a much smaller segment could relate to, and apparently no one with clout or money could either.

I think some of us look at preservation as a philosophy, but most look at it on a case by case basis per building and must be convinced of the value.

[Pete]

I'm re-posting this because 1) I think it got missed due the to dreaded page break, and 2) to emphasize we have at least two groups with deep pockets and great experience vying for this beautiful property, and there is absolutely no reason to be discussing demolition:

*************

It seems the “dream team” of local developers are very much in the picture for gaining control of First National Center.

My understanding is this group includes Mark Beffort, Andy Burnett, and Don Karchmer – and others as well.

There had been talk about them withdrawing but I was told by a reliable source that they came in with a strong, late bid and are one of the potential groups of buyers that were asked to make “final bids” by July 31st.

It may come down to them versus the previously-mentioned Alterra of Philadelphia.

No matter who may come out on top, it's a certainty they will need to work with Cathy O'Connor and the Alliance of Economic Development to obtain various incentives, grants, credits and financing. Cathy very successfully spearheaded a similar effort for the Skirvin Hotel.

The Skirvin was about a $50 million project; this will be 2 to 4 times that amount.

We probably won't know more until early next month.

[GaryOKC6]

No matter who wins the bid it will be a huge step up from the current ownership.

[David]

From everything I've read on here about the current ownership, a clown winning the bid would be a huge step up.

[GaryOKC6]

Yes, and there is a lot that will come out about the current owners once this happens. there is a lot of tension around there.

[Urbanized]

...I don't believe anyone wanted the Skirvin demolished even though it was vacant for many years...

Actually, you're incorrect on this point. There were household names who were pushing behind the scenes for its demolition, but fortunately sanity prevailed. It was a much closer call than most would ever know. If Steve participated with regularity he would back me up on this, as he covered the story and was aware of the names. Luckily, that building resonated with far more people and mayor Humphreys - as he stated behind closed doors at the time - didn't want to be the mayor on whose watch the Skirvin was demolished. Many leaders had given it up as a lost cause, trust me.