23rd Street reviving

[soonerguru]

Crack houses? Maybe at one time, but I don't think so now. I do recall there was a retailer on 23rd that sold crack out of the back of the store on the alley in the 90s.

[warreng88]

Old apartments find new use as retail, office space
by Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record May 13, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – When Sam Gresham looks out his office window, he sees equal parts urban decay and urban revitalization.

Gresham, an architect, bought two boarded-up apartment buildings at NW 23rd Street and Hudson Avenue a decade ago. To the north of his office across 23rd is the eatery Cheever’s Cafe and the upscale Market C. On the other two corners are a cracked parking lot, a run-down retail center and an old convenience store. Dividing 23rd is a tree-lined median and streetscape done by the city.Gresham loves the urban spot, and has filled the space in both buildings. His newest tenants are a builder and a hair salon.

When he first stepped into the building at 400 NW 23rd St. in the late 1990s, it was evident that nearly everything would have to be ripped out and replaced. The same went for a smaller building just behind it at 2315 N. Hudson Ave.

Gresham picked up the buildings for about $55,000 and over the last 10 years has put about $400,000 into renovations.

“Everything is new,” he said. “There wasn’t a thing in these buildings that was salvageable.”

One early project was the 2315 building’s second level, which Gresham converted to his own apartment in 2001. In 2003 he moved his office to the second floor of the 400 building.

Gresham lived in the apartment for two years and now leases it out.

All that remains of the old interior of the 400 building is the brickwork from the upstairs and downstairs fireplaces. All of the windows were replaced, but match the originals.

About the time Gresham moved into his office, he was joined on the second floor by his longest tenant, interior designer David Gipson.

Over the past four years state Sen. Andrew Rice and state Rep. Al McAffrey have leased space in both buildings as campaign headquarters. Last year Rice mounted a run for U.S. Senate and occupied the entire lower floor of the 4,332-square-foot building. After losing the race, Rice closed the office late last year.

Since then Gresham has filled that space with a Democratic Party office and the offices of Zeeck Commercial Construction, and Dwellings LLC, owned by Andy and David Zeeck.

Andy Zeeck said he and his brother moved their offices to the building to focus on commercial projects and on remodeling projects in the neighboring Heritage Hills and Mesta Park neighborhoods.

In the 2315 building, Patti Russell opened Wings of Desire in 1,200 square feet at the end of April. The shop is a combination hair salon, art gallery and antique store. She is currently featuring artwork by Oklahoma City artists Alexis Mathis and Eric Saak, in addition to large antique cabinets and antique dishes and knickknacks.

Russell said she moved her shop from Northwest Expressway for one simple reason.

“I’m 51 and I can do what I want to now,” she said.

But Gresham does not credit himself for the area’s slow and steady revitalization. He gives much of the credit to Cheever’s and Market C owners Keith and Heather Paul.

“It was already cool when I showed up,” he said.

http://journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=98599

[Pete]

Here's the before and afters of those two buildings (2315 N. Hudson is just to the south). These are both directly across from Market C and Cheevers, so some really nice renovation jobs in that area:

[CCOKC]

I really like that building. On the north side of 23rd a few blocks north of Cheevers a developer has taken two old duplexes and made some pretty nice single family dwellings out of them. One is done and I think is still for sale. I visited a few months back on a Sunday at when it was open. He was waiting to sell that one until he finished the one next door. It was nice but a little too big for us at this stage in our lives.

[trison]

A new restaurant is moving onto 23rd. The building located on the southeast corner of 23rd and Dewey is currently being cleaned up. Chris Lowery is one of the principals of the group opening. I'll post more information when I get it.

[Doug Loudenback]

It was nice to see this as I drove by today ...

[metro]

Nice catch Doug. Glad to see the restored sign in!

[Pete]

AWESOME!

Wow, is that good to see. Going to be very cool lit up at night.

Credit to those that have worked steadily on the Tower, as this has been a long time in coming.

[warreng88]

Oklahoma City chefs unveil ‘edgy’ concept

BIG TRUCK TACOS PLANS TO DRIVE ‘STREET FOOD WITH A TWIST’ TO AFTER-HOURS SCENE

BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: July 8, 2009

The idea of starting Big Truck Tacos might seem an unlikely venture for Chris Lower, chef at The Metro Bistro and Wine Bar, Cally Johnson, former executive chef at Boulevard Steakhouse and more recently Cheever’s, and Kathryn Mathis, who worked with Lower before moving to Austin, Texas, for 14 years. Mathis and Cally Johnson stand in the kitchen of the future home of Big Truck Tacos. Photo by Steve Lackmeyer, The Oklahoman

Three seasoned chefs with resumes at some of Oklahoma City’s finest restaurants are teaming up ... to start a taco truck.

Read the rest of Steve's article at:

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-chef...ad_story_title

[urbanity]

Imagine OKC | OKG Scene.com

[metro]

This is more of a political move for Skip Kelley than anything.

[OKCSC]

The battle for a revitalized 23rd street is going to be a difficult one because of the crime in the area. I know that Cheever's was repeatedly broken into in their early days but every new business helps cut down on crime.

With regard to the restaurant, I think it could do really well if there was a good bar scene on 23rd, until that develops I hope it can make it.

[mmonroe]

Is the Tower Theatre going to be like Lyric Theatre?

[evh5150]

theres a stark difference between simply updating business facades to lure in potential upscale clientele, and gentrifying an area.

if they arent attempting the latter, its a lost cause.

[evh5150]

Nice catch Doug. Glad to see the restored sign in!

ive always thought the segment of 23rd street with the iconic Tower sign and adjacent buildings next to it looks reminiscent to Universal Studio's backlot. (Think: Back to the Future, Gremlins, etc)

[khook]

mmonroe what exactly do you mean like Lyric Theatre?

Lyric theatre's plaza theatre location is paid for.... and is used for Lyric Theatre small house productions (seats 250) , Lyric Thelma Gaylord Academy Productions and special events.

what has been discussed for the Tower is to rebrand it as an event place that bands or medium size productions could utilize (more that 250 seats) There is a need in OKC to have venues that are medium in size for groups to develope their audience.

[jbrown84]

if they arent attempting the latter, its a lost cause.

Why do you say that?

[mmonroe]

mmonroe what exactly do you mean like Lyric Theatre?

Lyric theatre's plaza theatre location is paid for.... and is used for Lyric Theatre small house productions (seats 250) , Lyric Thelma Gaylord Academy Productions and special events.

Wow, over stretch of what I said.

When I said "like Lyric Theatre" I meant to say that they have similar fronts and they both remind me of old timey theatre spaces. That was not to say that I thought they would be operated the same way or have similar interests.

[Doug Loudenback]

I noticed yesterday that the marquee part of the Tower sign is now done. It's looking very good. Maybe that's not the right term ... the horizontal part of the sign where text normally goes is what I mean.

[trison]

I can't wait to see the entire project lit up at night. I hear that there are two restaurants that are in serious negotiations for space now. 23rd Street has so much potential!

[circled9]

Although it is not on 23rd street, finding a better use of the old May theatre on May Avenue and 17th street would also be great. Actually the entire area around our state fairgrounds could use a facelift. After all, this is one of the few areas that many visitors to our city will see.

[jbrown84]

Wow, over stretch of what I said.

When I said "like Lyric Theatre" I meant to say that they have similar fronts and they both remind me of old timey theatre spaces. That was not to say that I thought they would be operated the same way or have similar interests.

You're post was vague. I was just as confused. He was just trying to answer your question.

[Doug Loudenback]

I took a few Tower pics yesterday showing the signage progress. See http://www.okctalk.com/nostalgia-mem...ie-trivia.html

[RedDirt717]

I've always seen 23rd street as a possible goldmine location. I've got kind of an entrepreneurial spirit and have always wanted to start some projects there.

It's like 23rd street is the life blood to so many important and culturally diverse parts of the city: The Asian District, The Capitol, OKCU, the Paseo art district. The architecture is gorgeous, and there is plenty of housing in the area to support business and nightlife. It's always struck me as the type of place that could realistically turn into a "little 6th street" in Austin with it's proximity to downtown and it's historical feel. With the Oxford "School of Rock" going in downtown, 23rd street could turn into a musical Mecca, and combine with the music scenes in both Norman and Stillwater to bring unique Oklahoma music to the forefront of American pop culture.

Maybe we could finally tear down that eye sore of a "gold dome", or revitalize it into a restaurant or something soon.

[metro]

What's wrong with the gold dome? FYI, it's been restored and it's full of tenants including an art gallery and restaurant for well over a year now.