First National Center

[KayneMo]

https://twitter.com/americanrails/st...74673567961089

Is the background building the one people refer to as the other building that looks like first national, same architect maybe?

Both are Art Deco in style but were designed by different firms. FNC was designed by Weary & Alford Co. and the Chicago Board of Trade Building was designed by Holabird & Root. Both firms are/were located in Chicago.

[Dar405301]

Maybe the Old John hancock Building in Boston?

[Pete]

Took these Sunday; you can see the pool; down below the pool in the middle of that opening you can see the restored skylight above the Great Banking Hall. In the last image, you can see some of the restored windows on the left side.

[dtnatt]

It's amazing what a difference the new windows will make!

[dtnatt]

Pete,
Do you know if they are replacing all of the windows?

[Pete]

Pete,
Do you know if they are replacing all of the windows?

I believe so. Most on the west side are already finished.

[DowntownMan]

I believe so. Most on the west side are already finished.

I think only new windows are at the top. I think the rest of the building has the original windows cleaned and then a new storm window added on inside. I believe this process of leaving original windows was off of historical tax credits. I’m standing here looking at the west side and there are not windows

[warreng88]

The pool, itself, was a lot more expensive than I ever imagined it would be.

[G.Walker]

Why would they just replace a few windows at the top? Doesn't make sense.

I am sure the new windows are more energy efficient than the current windows that are probably 90 years old, lol.

[BoulderSooner]

Why would they just replace a few windows at the top? Doesn't make sense.

I am sure the new windows are more energy efficient than the current windows that are probably 90 years old, lol.

i am pretty sure that those windows were not original ..... Ie they were replaced some time in the past (by a previous owner) ... and those are the only windows this new renovation replaced. ....

[onthestrip]

i am pretty sure that those windows were not original ..... Ie they were replaced some time in the past (by a previous owner) ... and those are the only windows this new renovation replaced. ....

I dont understand why keeping windows is so important for the national historic rehabilitation credits. Same for historic neighborhoods that might require particular wood windows. Its cost prohibitive, not energy efficient and you can get similar looking windows that no one would notice that they arent exactly the same as the original windows. So many historic neighborhood homes keep rotted old windows because too often its too expensive to replace with new conforming windows.

[corntortillas]

I dont understand why keeping windows is so important for the national historic rehabilitation credits. Same for historic neighborhoods that might require particular wood windows. Its cost prohibitive, not energy efficient and you can get similar looking windows that no one would notice that they arent exactly the same as the original windows. So many historic neighborhood homes keep rotted old windows because too often its too expensive to replace with new conforming windows.

Not sure about historic neighborhoods with bad wood windows, but NPS care ALOT about windows. NPS has a '10 commandments' for rehabilitating historic buildings. If you want to understand better how the tax credit folks think about buildings I think useful to start there.

1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.

2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.

3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.

4. Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.

5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a historic property shall be preserved.

6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.

7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.

8. Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.

9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.

10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.

Additionally they have narratives to help provide more education on particular elements. For example, this is a narrative on windows:
https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/re.../windows01.htm

[Richard at Remax]

I don't understand why keeping windows is so important for the national historic rehabilitation credits. Same for historic neighborhoods that might require particular wood windows. Its cost prohibitive, not energy efficient and you can get similar looking windows that no one would notice that they arent exactly the same as the original windows. So many historic neighborhood homes keep rotted old windows because too often its too expensive to replace with new conforming windows.

I can attest to this. I used to live in Edgemere Park and was thinking about new windows. They were painted shut, had the old weight mechanism in them, ect. I have about 18 or so windows in my 1800 sq ft house. Tried to get around the historical district but they stood firm. Got two quotes between $35-40K!!! to replace with what the historical district wanted. Did not replace.

[therhett17]

Any progress updates on this?

[shawnw]

https://twitter.com/OKC_SPAN/status/1447965972707651584

[SagerMichael]

Multicolor light testing atop First National tonight

[Southsider2]

They’re doing some testing on the LED’s tonight. Hope they light it all up soon.

[Southsider2]

[Mississippi Blues]

I was walking on Reno and glanced at the skyline, thinking to myself “it’ll be nice when the First National is complete” because it was such a dark hole in the skyline. Then as I looked closer, I quickly realized there appeared to be lightning on the north side of the tower. I had no idea they were going to test them tonight so it was a nice surprise, especially with First National already being on my mind.

[Pete]

The FNC is running a bit behind schedule, no doubt impacted by the same supply chain issues affecting other projects.

They had planned to be open by the end of 2021, but that clearly is not going to happen.

Hopefully, we won't be too deep into 2022 before they open their doors.

[Southsider2]

Not sure if they've been posted yet or not but it looks like they have some new websites up. I've heard through the grapevine that pre-leasing is going very well for the apartments.

https://thenationalokc.com

https://thefirstokc.com

[shawnw]

not seeing floor plans or rates, unless I'm missing it

[HOT ROD]

the map location in the first link is incorrect. However, the pics/renderings look awesome!

the second link is awe inspiring as well with the history and placemaking.

[Bowser214]

When do you think they'll announce the Hotel brand?

[Pete]

When do you think they'll announce the Hotel brand?

It will be part of Marriott's Autograph collection.

The Ambassador is the only other OKC hotel with that designation.