First National Center

[Spartan]

Yesterday, Gary Brooks tweeted that he was in Cleveland because they are planning to use the same company that did the LED lighting for their Terminal Tower for FNC.

HInted that FNC would ultimately be able to display different colors for various occasions.

Awesome! The tower lights in Cleveland are a big deal. Always the best way to know what team is playing that day, or what theme month it is, etc. The guy who programs it takes twitter requests and has a phone app where he can do it remotely. It's really cool.

They also do interactive light shows like this:

[_Kyle]

Cant wait to see these on first national!

[_Kyle]

''Over 500 yards of trash moved out of FNC this week (18 dumpsters). Expecting well over 100 loads before we can begin asbestos removal.''

[HangryHippo]

I saw on Twitter where Gary Brooks is asking for cafe names for the space in First National Center. I don't have a Twitter account to reach Gary, but what about Teller's? It's kind of a fun play on the bank windows around the cafe space.

[Pete]

I saw on Twitter where Gary Brooks is asking for cafe names for the space in First National Center. I don't have a Twitter account to reach Gary, but what about Teller's? It's kind of a fun play on the bank windows around the cafe space.

Just texted him that idea.

I like it a lot.

[Pete]

Here is the photo Brooks posted on Twitter of the cafe that would be behind the old Teller windows;

[HangryHippo]

Just texted him that idea.

I like it a lot.

Thanks Pete!

[shadfar]

Here is the photo Brooks posted on Twitter of the cafe that would be behind the old Teller windows;

This is really cool! I'm liking this a lot.

[Bullbear]

Tellers is a great name!

[Of Sound Mind]

Tellers is a great name!

Agree 100%

[David]

Yeah, that would be a fine choice.

[gopokes88]

If so that would be 2 Okctalk ideas to be implemented. Pretty cool

[jrod]

This is going to be a special, special place. So excited.

[Pete]

Tour of First National Center reveals more details on redevelopment

A recent tour of First National Center with new owner and developer Gary Brooks revealed more about the massive renovation that will see the historic structure converted to a boutique hotel, apartments and commercial space.

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]


Work has just started to clear debris and the next step is to remove asbestos from the complex before any serious construction can begin.

Standing in the glorious Great Banking Hall, Brooks said over $5 million will be spent in that area alone.

Tests have been conducted on the various marble and painted surfaces to determine the safest and most effective way to remove almost 100 years of grime, much of it from smoking which was allowed in the structure up until the last few decades.

Brooks pointed to several spots on the walls that has been cleaned and the contrast was quite noticable.

Every surface in the hall will be painstakingly cleaned by experts, then sealed for future protection.

The elaborate wall murals will be cleaned in place and the intricate painted ceilings will be methodically restored.

Also, the massive skylight that spans the center of the hall will be made operational.

Due to leaks, the huge glass structure was covered sometime in the 60's and then illuminated with artificial light.

Part of the renovation will involve removing that cover, restoring all the glass and steel in the skylight, and once again letting natural light flood the space.

The banking hall itself will be the lobby for hotel and apartments and will include a cafe on the south end, behind the existing teller windows and through the glass doors behind. Brooks has been soliciting input to name the cafe and will later announce the selection.

On the north end of the hall will be a cocktail bar which will serve guests and visitors. As the space will be available for private events such as weddings, the bar will be configured to also serve event space just to the east of the lobby area.

As you pass through the art deco metal doors of the main west entrance, the escalators and stairs taking you up to the Great Banking Hall will remain, as will the half flight of steps taking you down to the massive basement area.

In that lower level, the huge vault will be transformed in to a dinner restaurant, which several bars of its own.

The existing vault rooms, doors and gates will all remain to lend character to a unique dining experience. The old stalls for viewing safe deposit boxes will be converted to booths.

Brooks said his team identified hundreds of similar projects then physically toured many around the country to learn as much as possible and to benefit from creative adaptation.

Above the main public spaces on floors 2 through 8 would be the hotel, 149 rooms to be operated by Coury Hospitality, which currently runs the historic Colcord and Ambassador hotels in Oklahoma City.

The former Beacon Club on the 31st floor is envisioned as a grand hotel suite.

The very top floor – the 33rd – will likely become a bar.

200 apartments would be above the hotel floors.

Two levels of commercial space will run along Park Avenue and the old First National internal arcade will be largely maintained.

With parking at an extreme premium in the middle of the central business district, the plan is to convert the 1950's Center Building into a massive parking structure that will be directly accessible from the rest of the complex.

The garage will retain the facade along Park Avenue but the East Building, built in the 70's and fronting Broadway, will be completely razed to create a ramp structure for the new parking.

When asked about the ability of the office floors of the Central Building to support the heavy load of cars, Brooks pointed to a massive array of moving file storage that Devon Energy had installed in that same building before relocating to its new headquarters. The point being that that weight was much more concentrated than auto parking and that in general, office floors are engineered to handle a higher load than parking garages.

Various details are still taking shape and may change over time but the entire renovation will take two to three years before the entire complex once again is open for business.

[turnpup]

This is just exciting beyond belief! Thanks, Pete, for the update!

[TheirTheir]

VERY happy to hear that they are moving away from "The First" to "The National".

[Pete]

I was really excited to learn about the skylight.

Bringing natural light into that space will make a huge difference and completely change the feel.

It's also gorgeous and will look more so when restored.

[Ross MacLochness]

This is for real going to be the 'g' word (game changer) . I'm very exited. One question though. If i remember correctly, most if not all of the shops in First National of old were accessed exclusively from the interior arcade. In the post, you mentioned that the arcade will stay intact; will new doors be added on Park so that folks can access the shops from the street? .

[Pete]

This is for real going to be the 'g' word (game changer) . I'm very exited. One question though. If i remember correctly, most if not all of the shops in First National of old were accessed exclusively from the interior arcade. In the post, you mentioned that the arcade will stay intact; will new doors be added on Park so that folks can access the shops from the street? .

Yes, I believe that is the plan.

BTW, although Coury will be operating all the bars and restaurants affiliated with the hotel, all the commercial space along Robinson and Park (old Cafe 7, Tinderbox and the long expanse along Park) will be leased to independent tenants.

Gary Brooks said they will turn their attention towards leasing all of that once the project is further along.

[Ross MacLochness]

Yes, I believe that is the plan.

BTW, although Coury will be operating all the bars and restaurants affiliated with the hotel, all the commercial space along Robinson and Park (old Cafe 7, Tinderbox and the long expanse along Park) will be leased to independent tenants.

Gary Brooks said they will turn their attention towards leasing all of that once the project is further along.

Most excellent!! Thanks.

[2Lanez]

I said earlier this was the most exciting thing since Devon Tower. Not true. This is much more exciting.

[zefferoni]

I hope that means the return of Golden Dragon. I loved their breakfast sandwiches
This project is really awesome, I'm glad to see the building coming back to life.

[GoldFire]

I can't wait to see the banking hall restored, and I'm very glad to hear they will be doing it right and fully restoring all of the artwork, surfaces, etc. I wasn't even aware that the skylight used to be open to natural lighting, so that will be fantastic to see as well.

The one thing that still doesn't seem clear to me is what exactly is getting torn down and what is being left. It mentions that the center building is going to be used for parking and the facade will remain, but the graphic shows the east building taking up a large area along Park as well. Will that part be included in the garage or is that going as well?

[Pete]

My understanding is that none of the facades along Park will change.

[gopokes88]

Name a street after Brooks when this is done