Criterion Concert Hall

[Rover]

I wonder if this is the 'jealous' thing that Steve has been hinting about? It is in Bricktown after all.

No. Not of any scale or uniqueness for anyone to be jealous of.

[skanaly]

What in particular makes you think this will be low-quality construction? It isn't ornate, but it fits in well with the existing building stock in Bricktown.

It fits in with 1960's Bricktown...not 2015 Bricktown. Look at the new ones that are being g built right now..at least they have a distinct look. This would look too much like one of the old ones. You can have brick building fit in quite well without just putting up some brick wall. Love the idea and name of this, hate the design

[skanaly]

I mean really?!?!?!

[bchris02]

With a mural, which could be easily done, it would look 200% better and give it some character.

To those who oppose this, how would you design it without substantially increasing the cost?

[bchris02]

No. Not of any scale or uniqueness for anyone to be jealous of.

Agree with this. Even though I like this theater and see the potential, I don't see it as anything to be jealous of. Now if they were reconstructing the original Criterion, then maybe.

[BrettM2]

Really excited for this. It should give me an added push to come back into town when (hopefully) some of my favorite bands come through.

[soonerguru]

It does look like crap, but Pete swayed me with his discussion of acoustics, etc.

[HOT ROD]

Agree with this. Even though I like this theater and see the potential, I don't see it as anything to be jealous of. Now if they were reconstructing the original Criterion, then maybe.

guys, I don't disagree with what you're saying, I was just asking if THIS was what STEVE was talking about - not that I agree.

[Bellaboo]

guys, I don't disagree with what you're saying, I was just asking if THIS was what STEVE was talking about - not that I agree.

Todays chat Steve said if the 'jealous project' is announced, it'd be in 2015.

[HOT ROD]

ok, thx

[ljbab728]

Steve's story.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5352569?embargo=1

A Colorado developer is preparing to build a concert venue in Bricktown with capacity of up to 4,200 that will be named the “Criterion” in tribute to the downtown movie palace that was torn down during the Urban Renewal era of the 1970s.


Matt Maley, an oil and gas and real estate investor from Littleton, Colo., confirmed Friday he has struck a deal with Ronnye Farmer and Philip Randolph to build the two-story venue at the southwest corner of Sheridan and Charlie Christian Avenues
“We’ve gotten to know Oklahoma City and Bricktown pretty well,” Maley said. “It’s exciting. One of the big reasons we like the project is because Bricktown looks like Lower Downtown Denver and we’ve done projects in Denver. Bricktown reminds me of ‘LoDo’ 10 to 15 years ago. So getting involved as the area is still emerging is exciting to us.”

[warreng88]

guys, I don't disagree with what you're saying, I was just asking if THIS was what STEVE was talking about - not that I agree.

I would think Steve would know about The Granada, House of Blues and other venues in Dallas and KC.

[Laramie]

Interior of the Criterion & Midwest Theaters - OKC

Lived the days of the old Criterion & Midwest Theaters; they just don't make the cathedral façade and stucco deco theaters like this anymore.

Fast forward, the proposed Criterion Concert Hall will be a nice venue that will give us more options than what's atop of the Farmer's Public Market. The 4,200 seats will allow more capacity flexibility than Civic Center Music Hall or the Bricktown Events Center.

[TheTravellers]

... The 4,200 seats will allow more capacity flexibility than Civic Center Music Hall or the Bricktown Events Center.

Are they really "seats"? Didn't see any seating in the plans, seems like SRO like the Bricktown Events Center and Cain's (usually).

[Pete]

The image in the Oklahoman must be an old one. Shows the entrance on the east end of the building.

The plans submitted to design review show it on the west end, both in the renderings and floor plans.

[city]

I really wish the owners would reconsider and use a different name. This project as depicted is not deserving of The Criterion name.

[bchris02]

Steve has repeatedly said when the "jealous" project is announced he will let us know that's what he was referring to. He also said he would tell us if the deal fell apart.

[Questor]

It's funny, I have noticed and wondered for a long time why OKC doesn't have s concert venue like this... About this size, about this layout, with a prominent bar back center of the stage... When I travel and go to concerts the places I end up almost always have this layout. I've often wondered if a lack of a venue like this is what keeps so many of the very popular mid-level acts out of the city. Really happy to see that one is finally being built... Can't wait to find out more about who will be promoting it and the type of acts they want to try and attract.

[metro]

I really wish the owners would reconsider and use a different name. This project as depicted is not deserving of The Criterion name.

Amen. A generic design deserves a generic name

[warreng88]

I remember when Alice In Chains toured last year they played two shows in Oklahoma: Brady Theatre and Winstar. Hopefully this venue will redirect some shows from the casinos surrounding OKC into the center of OKC.

[bchris02]

It's funny, I have noticed and wondered for a long time why OKC doesn't have s concert venue like this... About this size, about this layout, with a prominent bar back center of the stage... When I travel and go to concerts the places I end up almost always have this layout. I've often wondered if a lack of a venue like this is what keeps so many of the very popular mid-level acts out of the city. Really happy to see that one is finally being built... Can't wait to find out more about who will be promoting it and the type of acts they want to try and attract.

+1

Regardless of some of the negative opinions regarding the use of the name Criterion, this is still great news for OKC and is something that has been needed for a long time.

[HOT ROD]

I would think Steve would know about The Granada, House of Blues and other venues in Dallas and KC.

no need to be a 'smarty' - I don't know about (nor care) any of those places you talk about; it was an honest question.

[HOT ROD]

also, this development broke on OKCTalk before Steve's story, again, hence my honest question.

[UnFrSaKn]

Pretty sure Steve was already working on this and didn't just rush together a story after Pete tweeted and created this thread.

[UnFrSaKn]

See Steve's latest post...