More work begins on the Triangle
McDermid and company are for real. Glad to see them moving forward.
Renovations begin on old downtown buildings
By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman
Renovations have started at two long-vacant buildings in an area called "The Triangle" -- work developer Bert Belanger says is a response to creation of a new downtown gateway at Interstate 235 and NW 6.
Belanger and GenOne Real Estate Group, led by Gary Hancock, recently closed on the $1,425,000 purchase of the former Mistletoe headquarters at 111 N Harrison.
The same partners also are renovating the former home of CompuSource, 410 N Walnut, with plans to convert it into "Class A" office space.
"We felt like the location can lend to us doing a lot of things over time," Belanger said. "This can be really special."
Belanger has already moved his own company, Urban Works, into the Harrison building, and has leased additional space to Geologics, a geothermal company that will be doing work on nearby housing.
The building will retain some of its more unique features -- including metal awnings protruding over windows. Plans call for a fresh coat of paint, new windows, new interiors and landscaping.
The Harrison Avenue building will be called Momentum, a name inspired by an artist show hosted there in January. Belanger said the property consists of two different kinds of buildings -- the three-story office complex built in 1956 and an attached warehouse.
The warehouse fronts Oklahoma Avenue, which is about to be converted to two-way traffic, and the NW 6 and Walnut exit from I-235, which will soon create a direct route into downtown, Deep Deuce and Bricktown. Belanger said immediate improvements will include landscaping and fence improvements to make the warehouse portion less unsightly to passersby.
"It has the chance to be something really special," Belanger said. "We're considering turning it into retail shops with storefronts facing Oklahoma Avenue. We also have a lot of exposure on the back, with dock doors that can also become storefronts."
Belanger said the former CompuSource building, originally the city's Irving School, is being gutted. Plans are being considered to add a low-rise office tower. The property will retain the Irving School nameplate and will be renamed the 410 Walnut Building.
Both buildings are part of a master plan Belanger developed with partners Pat Garrett, Anthony McDermid and Ron and Jason Bradshaw called "The Triangle." The master plan includes zoning approved by the Oklahoma City Council and coordinated with area property owners.
"We are excited about GenOne's investment because it will allow for the simultaneous development of the Harrison gateway and the Walnut frontage," Ron Bradshaw said. "This will help speed the implementation of the urban village that we are all creating together."
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