First National Center

[brianinok]

On the rendering of the pool, there's those big palm trees. I LOVE palms, but I didn't think OKC's climate allowed palms like that to be planted here. Are those just for rendering purposes, or are those palms actually going to be in any plans to be included in the final landscaping? I'd love if they did! Would give it a very tropical vibe haha

My parents have 2 palms like that planted by their pool. The trunks have to be wrapped each winter. But they're doable.

[sooner88]

At the State of the City today, Pete Delaney said that Brooks closed on First National this morning. Exciting news, looking forward to them getting started.

[Pete]

Hooray!

There is really no stopping this now as the City is pretty committed to making things work no matter what.

[Pete]

Gary Brooks confirmed to me the sale did close.

[Pete]

Although the road has been long and painful, I'm very sure this property is now in the right hands and that we'll see this grand building soon returned to beauty and importance.

And you need to look no further than the Ambassador and Colcord Hotels to know that Coury Properties will do an amazing job with the lobby, restaurants and hotel.

Today is the official start of a new era and represents really the last big puzzle piece for the CBD.

[2Lanez]

Most exciting happenings downtown since Devon.

[KayneMo]

Yay!

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/553...b69803da731acc

"Brooks said current scheduling suggests the redevelopment will take about three years to complete. Some plans have changed since the sale contract was first announced. A 1957 office annex immediately east of the tower was originally set to be torn down and replaced with a new garage with retail on the first two floors.

The National Park Service, which oversees the historic tax credit program, ruled the building as a contributing part of the historic tower and couldn't be torn down. So plans now call for retaining the facade, while the east 1972 annex will be gutted to add in an entrance and ramps for the garage still planned in the center of the block."

Just for clarification, does this mean the portion of the complex shaded in purple will now remain?

[Pete]

Just for clarification, does this mean the portion of the complex shaded in purple will now remain?

My understanding is that the facades of the East and Center buildings will remain but will still be used for parking with retail on the first two floors.

[riflesforwatie]

Lights on top of FNC are back on tonight. Not sure how long they were off (since August? At least since early December, I think).

[UnFrSaKn]

https://twitter.com/garydbrooks/stat...03582944509952

[UnFrSaKn]

http://m.newsok.com/article/5534004

[UnFrSaKn]

http://m.newsok.com/first-national-c...rticle/5534029

[Pete]

First National Center sale closes
By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record January 11, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – The First National Center finally has a new owner.

Developers Gary Brooks and Charlie Nicholas paid $23 million for the 1-million-square-foot building, according to an order confirming the sale filed Tuesday with the federal court.

Receiver Jim Parrack deposited about $19.2 million into an interest-bearing account, waiting for further order of the court. Several debts associated with the building’s operation had to be paid.

Next, the court has to decide which parties can lay claim to that money. Plaintiff Howard Abselet’s attorney, John Stiner, said via email that now his client can focus on getting his money.

The center’s legal problems date back almost three years. A lien was filed on the property in August 2014 by Abselet, a New York resident. He claims he is owed $6 million by former building owner Aaron Yashouafar, who declared bankruptcy.

“The sale represents an important step in more than two years of contentious litigation involving complex issues of real estate law,” Stiner said. “Now that the asset has been reduced to cash, Mr. Abselet can attempt to finally get his money back.”

Brooks is ready to get to work on the building that will eventually house a hotel and upper-floor apartments. He said he’s started an application with Marriot to have an Autograph-brand hotel in the building, operated by Paul Coury, chairman of the Ambassador Hotel collection. The historic grand lobby would become the hotel’s lobby.

“(Marriott) has seen the building,” he said. “They’re obviously very excited. First National Center is perfect for their Autograph flag. We believe they’ll bring a tremendous value to the operation.”

Brooks and Nicholas’ first task is removing the asbestos from the buildings directly east of the First National’s original structure. Those buildings will eventually be demolished.

He said people can expect to see selective demolition starting in early February. Asbestos removal will take nine months. Construction will start in early 2018.

“We’re going to try to keep much of the work from being visible,” he said. “You can’t reposition and redevelop without creating a lot of noise and dust. We also recognize that we have a responsibility to keep it to a minimum.”

He said a lot of work will be done in the alley. Main Street Parking Garage owner John Kennedy said he’s already spoken to Brooks about using the garage for workspace.

The First National Center has been sold a few times in the past decade, but Parrack said Brooks and Nicholas are the right guys to take on this project.

“Gary and Charlie have a long history in this market of building projects and doing projects, and doing what they say they’re going to do,” he said. “Add to that that the whole community is behind the effort. They understand the importance of the building and what I can mean to downtown Oklahoma City. I don’t think all of those pieces were aligned before.”

Office tower owner and developer Mark Beffort said he also thinks this time the center will get properly redeveloped.

“If you think about the prior times, we had two different groups that had no ties to our city,” he said. “Neither one of them really had a plan prior to acquisition nor a commitment to making this what it needs to be. I think all the right pieces are in place.”

[Bullbear]

So excited about this project. I am sure she will be beautiful inside and out when complete. I am very excited and hopeful for updated lighting on the building. that alone will add significantly to the downtown skyline.

[Pete]

From CloudDeck Media:

[HangryHippo]

I was thinking back to some of the name suggestions for the hotel in this property because I don't care for "The First" (assuming they opt to stick with that). What about "The National" instead?

No matter, it's awesome to see this building coming back to life!

[Pete]

Names have as much to do with trademarks as anything, especially when they are looking at joining the Marriott network.

[CloudDeckMedia]

From CloudDeck Media:

That's one of several shots we captured last night for Cornerstone, but this is the only one they've shared on social media. Two notes on the lights: 1) The beacon light is on, but it doesn't rotate; and 2) I'm told that all of the crown lights haven't worked in decades (some did/some didn't) - and they've been making repairs for weeks. To see what we saw during last night's filming was breathtaking!

[warreng88]

My understanding is that the facades of the East and Center buildings will remain but will still be used for parking with retail on the first two floors.

The quote from the JR says:

Brooks and Nicholas’ first task is removing the asbestos from the buildings directly east of the First National’s original structure. Those buildings will eventually be demolished.

I assume that was a misquote and they won't actually be demolished?

[Pete]

I believe most of those buildings will be demolished but the facades will remain.

[Bullbear]

I'm hoping they upgrade all the lighting with LED capabilities so it can be changed for holidays etc. and a bit more dynamic in the night sky. I am sure it will look great!

[Pete]

I'm hoping they upgrade all the lighting with LED capabilities so it can be changed for holidays etc. and a bit more dynamic in the night sky. I am sure it will look great!

Ala the Empire State Building, which it is modeled after.

[David]

I am 100% serious when I say that that picture made me tear up just a little when I saw it earlier.

[Bullbear]

Ala the Empire State Building, which it is modeled after.

Exactly!

[Laramie]

Ala the Empire State Building, which it is modeled after.

Great news to hear that this iconic structure will eventually be lighted & put to good use. The Great Hall is breath taking.

As I child, many of us neighborhood kids referred to the 1st National Bank building as the 'Empire State Building.'