Ambassador Hotel

[AP]

I agree 100% with a good music venue. That would be perfect for this area.

[Pete]

There are already two great museums in Midtown: Oklahoma Heritage and the Overholser Mansion. And the new Oklahoma Contemporary coming to Broadway & 11th -13th.

In fact, there is a LOT in Midtown, it all just needs to be stitched together through more redevelopment and infill.

[metro]

Also, let's not forget the very popular Wine & Palette is on 10th between Robinson and Harvey.

[Pete]

And of course, The Womb is at 9th & Broadway.


This is going to be like Deep Deuce, where you take a bunch of completed projects, add in all the ones in the pipeline and then suddenly there is a mad scramble to start filling in the remaining pieces.

And most exciting is that the MidtownR people still have lots of work to do and haven't even touched new development, which we know they will given their land holdings in the area. Everything they have done to date has been fantastic.


If I lived in OKC, I'd be buying in HH / Mesta Park or SoSa. Prices have already gone up pretty dramatically than just three years ago and this area is soon going to be the most desirable in all o town.

[BDP]

I agree that Midtown is hitting critical mass with housing and restaurants. I do think it needs some kind of entertainment anchor within a couple of blocks (i.e. walkable) from the Walker Circle. It could be a cluster of galleries, live theater, an intimate concert venue, or a movie screening room, but Midtown's lacking that one tenant that makes an evening out of the neighborhood. Dust Bowl may provide that diversion, but the market (with Heritage Hills nearby) is there for something along the arts. Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center could have been that tenant if it found space a few blocks to the west, but it'll do a great job of fortifying the Automobile Alley scene.

Good thoughts. AA may have some space that would accommodate a good venue. I'm not sure what's really left there. It'd be a good set up though, as it could draw 1000-2000 people and probably handle the parking without it clogging more residential streets. You don't see a whole lot of venues done with new construction, but it could happen.

If I lived in OKC, I'd be buying in HH / Mesta Park or SoSa. Prices have already gone up pretty dramatically than just three years ago and this area is soon going to be the most desirable in all o town.

Sosa is a great buy and hold. It's very driven by the architects/developers, though, who kind of mark it up and chain you to their work (which, in this case is probably fine, because they have done some awesome houses), but if you could get a lot before them, you could probably make a great return and/or get some great value out of it.

With MidtownR owning most of the properties, they stand to gain a lot more by holding on to all of the properties while they establish the area.

Yeah, I started by trying to figure out if there where any good places left to build single family home in MT proper, but they pretty much got it all. Which, isn't a bad thing, given the work they've done. I also have more immediate needs and want a more established neighborhood within the next year or so, which is why I'm thinking more DD or HH for now. I can't wait to see what MidTownR's ground up approach will be when they get to that point.

[BDP]

I agree that Midtown is hitting critical mass with housing and restaurants. I do think it needs some kind of entertainment anchor within a couple of blocks (i.e. walkable) from the Walker Circle. It could be a cluster of galleries, live theater, an intimate concert venue, or a movie screening room, but Midtown's lacking that one tenant that makes an evening out of the neighborhood. Dust Bowl may provide that diversion, but the market (with Heritage Hills nearby) is there for something along the arts. Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center could have been that tenant if it found space a few blocks to the west, but it'll do a great job of fortifying the Automobile Alley scene.

Good thoughts. AA may have some space that would accommodate a good venue. I'm not sure what's really left there. It'd be a good set up though, as it could draw 1000-2000 people and probably handle the parking without it clogging more residential streets. You don't see a whole lot of venues done with new construction, but it could happen.

If I lived in OKC, I'd be buying in HH / Mesta Park or SoSa. Prices have already gone up pretty dramatically than just three years ago and this area is soon going to be the most desirable in all o town.

Sosa is a great buy and hold. It's very driven by the architects/developers, though, who kind of mark it up and chain you to their work (which, in this case is probably fine, because they have done some awesome houses), but if you could get a lot before them, you could probably make a great return and/or get some great value out of it.

With MidtownR owning most of the properties, they stand to gain a lot more by holding on to all of the properties while they establish the area.

Yeah, I started by trying to figure out if there where any good places left to build single family home in MT proper, but they pretty much got it all. Which, isn't a bad thing, given the work they've done. I also have more immediate needs and want a more established neighborhood within the next year or so, which is why I'm thinking more DD or HH for now. I can't wait to see why MidTownR's ground up approach will be when they get to that point.

[LakeEffect]

And of course, The Womb is at 9th & Broadway.


This is going to be like Deep Deuce, where you take a bunch of completed projects, add in all the ones in the pipeline and then suddenly there is a mad scramble to start filling in the remaining pieces.

And most exciting is that the MidtownR people still have lots of work to do and haven't even touched new development, which we know they will given their land holdings in the area. Everything they have done to date has been fantastic.


If I lived in OKC, I'd be buying in HH / Mesta Park or SoSa. Prices have already gone up pretty dramatically than just three years ago and this area is soon going to be the most desirable in all o town.

We bought in Lincoln Terrace last year... much cheaper and bigger houses. A little off the path, but just close enough. The Osler will be fun for guests from out of town.

[Pete]

Here is a better look at the top (7th) floor. Looks like they are going to add lots of detail.

Also, shown below are detailed floorplans for the 1st, 2nd (typical room layout) and 7th.

That bar on the top floor with outdoor seating is going to be one of the coolest spots in town -- will have stunning downtown views.

[ErnestA]

Earnest, there are already a few art galleries, combine that with Dust Bowl, now we just need a good music venue and the area will start to snowball.

There are already two great museums in Midtown: Oklahoma Heritage and the Overholser Mansion. And the new Oklahoma Contemporary coming to Broadway & 11th -13th.

In fact, there is a LOT in Midtown, it all just needs to be stitched together through more redevelopment and infill.

Thanks for your thoughts, metro, Pete, and BDP. I know there are galleries within several blocks of the circle, but I’m talking about nighttime entertainment -- like the music venue -- within two blocks. As is, it’s not realistic to think lots of diners at one of Midtown’s restaurants would walk to the Womb, or the Heritage Center. There are too many gaps to walk 10th or Walker. But as you have said, once we fill those gaps to create something of a streetwall, we can see Midtown diners walking to Wine and Palette for the second half of their evening.

But back to topic – I am really looking forward to the Coury’s Osler. It looks first-rate and the guests will not be lacking for unique local dining choices. Along with Aloft, this will be a great place for visitors to see an urban neighborhood in OKC.

[ljbab728]

Steve's update on the conversion.

Osler building's conversion to boutique hotel under way in Oklahoma City's MidTown | News OK

[Praedura]

Manhattan Construction has a brief page up on this project:

Demo work begins on Osler Building for renovation into boutique hotel « Manhattan Construction Group



Very short, but does contain this tidbit:

It is on the National Register of Historic Buildings and is referenced as the best local example of Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival architecture on a multi-story building.

Ahh... "Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival "... that's what it is.

Also, just noticed the hotel already has a website:

Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City


Not much there yet, but hey... it's a start.

[soonerguru]

Love the website and the project but they need to revise that crummy logo.

[betts]

"Transportation within 5 miles" is noted on the website. Sad. Luckily, it should be on or within a block of the new streetcar line (I hope).

[Praedura]

"Transportation within 5 miles" is noted on the website. Sad. Luckily, it should be on or within a block of the new streetcar line (I hope).

I don't think it's sad. That's a nice convenience. They're probably preparing for tourists that might want to see the Zoo, Omniplex, Cowboy Hall of Fame, etc. -- which is likely where the 5 mile radius comes from. Most guests will probably do fine just walking to bars/restaurants right there in Midtown.

[soonerguru]

"Transportation within 5 miles" is noted on the website. Sad. Luckily, it should be on or within a block of the new streetcar line (I hope).

This is a common -- and welcome -- experience when I visit nice hotels in other cities without urban transit infrastructure. Obviously, though, if someone is staying at the Osler they are going to have their choice of restaurants, bars and other services within easy walking distance.

[Pete]

Photo from today (courtesy BoulderSooner):

[UnFrSaKn]

I'm actually editing photos from Monday here but I didn't go around back. I was sunburned and ready to head home.

[UnFrSaKn]

The Osler (June 03 2013) - a set on Flickr

[JoninATX]

Very nice....

[Spartan]

If anybody is interested in demolition progress from last week...Attachment 3461Attachment 3477Attachment 3478Attachment 3479Attachment 3480Attachment 3481Attachment 3482Attachment 3483Attachment 3484Attachment 3485Attachment 3486Attachment 3487Attachment 3462Attachment 3463Attachment 3464Attachment 3465Attachment 3466Attachment 3467Attachment 3468Attachment 3469Attachment 3470Attachment 3471Attachment 3472Attachment 3473Attachment 3474Attachment 3475Attachment 3476

Great reference for the next time someone tells you a building is junk and can't be saved. People always present pics like this of say, the KerMac building, to the DDRC.

The Marion will be a real eye opener when someone photographs that, if they can get enough junk taken out to be able to take a pic.

[UnFrSaKn]

The Marion | Abandoned Oklahoma

[hoya]

The Marion | Abandoned Oklahoma

Looks like a place you could run into Pennywise the clown.

[UnFrSaKn]

The Osler (June 03 2013) - YouTube

[UnFrSaKn]

The Osler (June 10 2013) - a set on Flickr

[UnFrSaKn]

The Osler (June 10 2013) - YouTube