Guardian

[UnFrSaKn]

Downtown Proud video

OKC Renaissance Continues With Renovation Of Guardian Garage - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

[JL Design]

The Guardian Parking structure profiled in ArchDaily:
Guardian Parking / Fitzsimmons Architects | ArchDaily

[Pete]

Photos from MidtownR's Facebook page show this project is nearing completion:

[catch22]

I love the windows and brick!!

37 units, if I remember correctly.

[Urbanized]

I know I am often on here yammering on about casement windows and how important it is to preserve/restore them in commercial structures when they are updated for adaptive re-use, but this is a perfect example. These places would have nowhere near the character had those windows not been retained but instead replaced with "modern" aluminum-framed windows with larger glazing. Not to mention that those windows are operable in the middle, which will allow for ventilation and better control over the climate in the room without necessarily running the HVAC system at all times.

[soonerguru]

This renovation makes me incredibly happy to see. Fantastic adaptive reuse of a wonderful, high-profile building in OKC that set empty for decades. Kudos, OKC and Midtown Renaissance! They have done so much for our city and deserve more praise than they receive.

[soonerguru]

On another note, is The Guardian adjacent to the building that used to house Pat's 10th Street Tavern? Loved rolling up to the bar in there for a cheap pitcher back in the day.

[Urban Pioneer]

What a great loft. Fun to see the pics.

[catch22]

What a great loft. Fun to see the pics.

Indeed. I'm quite jealous of whoever gets the one in the first photo.

[HangryHippo]

I don't know that I've ever really considered it before, but I would absolutely LOVE to see what the Midtown Renaissance Group and Brian Fitzsimmons could accomplish if they got their hands on several buildings in Bricktown. That could be something really special.

[onthestrip]

I know I am often on here yammering on about casement windows and how important it is to preserve/restore them in commercial structures when they are updated for adaptive re-use, but this is a perfect example. These places would have nowhere near the character had those windows not been retained but instead replaced with "modern" aluminum-framed windows with larger glazing. Not to mention that those windows are operable in the middle, which will allow for ventilation and better control over the climate in the room without necessarily running the HVAC system at all times.

Ive never thought that new windows take any historical value from old buildings. In fact I like seeing an old brick structure with new windows, it gives it an updated but still historical look. And its especially a good idea when the old ones are terribly inefficient.

[Spartan]

On another note, is The Guardian adjacent to the building that used to house Pat's 10th Street Tavern? Loved rolling up to the bar in there for a cheap pitcher back in the day.

Yeah, Pat's is now The Packard, also renovated inside out by MidtownR.

[soonerguru]

I don't know that I've ever really considered it before, but I would absolutely LOVE to see what the Midtown Renaissance Group and Brian Fitzsimmons could accomplish if they got their hands on several buildings in Bricktown. That could be something really special.

Agree wholeheartedly. We need their vision and thoughtful care to be put to use throughout our inner city. I don't really know any of the people very well, but I'm extremely impressed by what they are doing. If we could clone them as developers / architect our city would be dynamite.

[Urbanized]

Edit: the post I was referencing was changed or deleted.

[HangryHippo]

Tragically, many others share your opinion.

Who are you referencing? And why is it tragic?

[Pete]

I haven't heard anything about them leasing either of the retail/restaurant spaces on the ground floor of this building.

Also, no building permits to build out that space.

[catch22]

I haven't heard anything about them leasing either of the retail/restaurant spaces on the ground floor of this building.

Also, no building permits to build out that space.

I've heard they are looking at some sort of a cafe. The cafe would also utilize the alleyway as an outdoor patio.

[Urbanized]

Who are you referencing? And why is it tragic?

I'm referencing people who take on rehabilitation of a historic structure and who think it is a good idea or even the only option to remove historic windows (in this instance casement windows, which were fortunately NOT removed) and replace them with modern ones. In the case of the Guardian they painstakingly re-glazed the historic casements, and the payoff was obviously immense. The character is far better than it would have been with single-light aluminum windows. If someone disagrees with that I would say with all due respect that they don't fully appreciate old buildings.

By the way, when replacing with fully-sealed, fixed windows the energy efficiency trade-off is that if you cannot use cross-ventilation for climate control during nice weather but are instead forced to use your HVAC system in all conditions. So the energy efficiency of new windows is overstated. Besides, there is modern glazing - even gas-filled double- and triple-glazed panes - that can go into the historic frames and replace the old glass. When the frames have been re-worked and everything is well-sealed, it rivals the modern windows for energy-efficiency. I believe that is what transpired in this case.

I say tragic, because once the historic windows are removed, it would be cost-prohibitive to come back again and replace them with casements. It is a forever decision, and one that is taken lightly by too many people - most who do not have HP experience - when rehabilitating old buildings.

[Urbanized]

Who are you referencing? And why is it tragic?

Oh, I see now why you asked the question. The post I was referencing was either deleted or changed. I should have quoted it. The poster said that they personally had no problem with ripping out casements and replacing them with modern single-light windows in aluminum frames.

[Urbanized]

Here's an example of a similar building where the casements were torn out and the dark-tinted modern windows stare out at you blankly:

[Urbanized]

I haven't heard anything about them leasing either of the retail/restaurant spaces on the ground floor of this building.

Also, no building permits to build out that space.

The ground floor space is massive. It would take a couple of pretty sizeable restaurants or stores to fill them.

[Pete]

If you look at the floorplans in the article above, most of the ground floor is for residential; the only retail/restaurant space is the part that faces Robinson.

[Spartan]

Here's an example of a similar building where the casements were torn out and the dark-tinted modern windows stare out at you blankly:

How dare you question Rick Dowell

[Urbanized]

If you look at the floorplans in the article above, most of the ground floor is for residential; the only retail/restaurant space is the part that faces Robinson.

Gotcha.

[CCOKC]

I toured these last Friday with a young lady who works for me. The windows in that first picture are amazing, however there is a serious privacy issue with that unit as it is on the ground floor of the southwest corner. If you remember, that is where the outside mall space is going. My coworker signed a lease and is supposed to move in by January 15th. I believe she is getting the one in the last picture with the loft.