OKC's 1st and forgotten modern district? Belle Isle Neighborhood

[flintysooner]

I think the Belle Isle area would have developed smarter and denser if a mixed use like the Baltimore plant had come about, but it's over and done now. Unfortunately, due to the age and popularity, I wouldn't think Belle Isle Station will be redeveloped for quite a long time. I just hope that Classen Curve and some of the other developments in the area further smart development of the Belle Isle area and Classen in general. It's the most successful inner-city shopping area (I would imagine, at least, can't think of anything that compares), and i'd like to see it developed that way.

Just east of Classen from the North Fork office park there is an interesting little residential area (Military Ave and N W 53rd) of 1950's modern homes - very usonian. I think a remnant of Bell Isle lake is behind them.

[max]

Just east of Classen from the North Fork office park there is an interesting little residential area (Military Ave and N W 53rd) of 1950's modern homes - very usonian. I think a remnant of Bell Isle lake is behind them.

That would be Brookhaven. That's an awesome, very unique neighborhood. Also, thanks for using the term "usonian". I got to look it up and now I can consider it a part of my vocabulary. It's very fitting.

[Urbanized]

That neighborhood was actually built as company housing for the Belle Isle power plant, from what I understand. A number of the houses have been dramatically re-made. Some of them unfortunately were re-worked in such a way as to make them look more tradional, with peaked roofs and such. But some of them also went the other direction, with some modern flair added. One of them was on the market a couple of years ago. I think the (pretty dramatic) remodel was done by the (then) owner of Directions in Furniture.

[flintysooner]

That neighborhood was actually built as company housing for the Belle Isle power plant, from what I understand. A number of the houses have been dramatically re-made. Some of them unfortunately were re-worked in such a way as to make them look more tradional, with peaked roofs and such. But some of them also went the other direction, with some modern flair added. One of them was on the market a couple of years ago. I think the (pretty dramatic) remodel was done by the (then) owner of Directions in Furniture.

I didn't know that. Thanks for posting. I do recall when public sentiment was so negative about that style and there was a big move to remake the exterior and especially the flat roofs. I didn't know this little area existed until recently.

[metro]

While looking for a new residence this weekend, we were looking at a house in Brookhaven (behind Classen Curve, backing up to both Western and Classen/Grand). Behind Brookhaven we stumbled upon a "mini-neighborhood" we didn't know existed. The name is Belle Isle Neighborhood. It reminded me of Carey Place, hidden in Gatewood, only this was modern in style. I took a few pics but the whole horseshoe shaped block and the houses on the end were modern in design, I'm guessing 60's-70's era "Brady Bunch" style modern; very cool!

[USG'60]

A lot of those houses have not aged well, sadly. I have worked on several of them over the last 3 decades. I love them, byandlarge, but fear that many may have to be replaced if left to further decay. Glad you discovered it.

[betts]

Are those homes not concrete block construction? I would think if they were the shell would be really durable. I've always thought that was an interesting little area.

[Pete]

I have never stumbled across that neighborhood... Looks like just the loop that Military Drive makes off NW 53rd just east of Classen.

Very cool! Looks a lot like a small pocket of mid-century homes very near where I live, which have become desirable and routinely sell for more than the surrounding homes.

[flintysooner]

There was a previous discussion about this area: http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.ph...078#post283078

[metro]

Pete, that is correct it is the military drive loop.

[Pete]

I merged the posts from that Classen Curve thread as they contained some great info/discussion.

[bornhere]

I had no idea this neighborhood existed. I'll have to drive through soon.

[muzique808]

We went to an estate sale in that neighborhood last year. The house had been very lovingly remodeled/updated. We liked it so much we asked about buying it, but it had already been sold.