Vision 2025 set many wheels in motion for various real estate and development groups around Tulsa, Oklahoma. There were proposals of remodeling numerous downtown historic locations and large warehouse style buildings into urban living spaces: lofts, flats, and town homes. However, it has been a few years and there has not been a whole lot of progress. Progress is not just measured in visible changes to our downtown community, but the quality of living as well. We realize that not all progress can be seen from the streets, but when do we get to start seeing progress and not just hearing about it.

Been there, done that

Personally, I’ve lived downtown. I lived in Tulsa’s beautiful downtown Tribune building for well over a year. I miss the downtown urban lifestyle that came with living downtown. I miss sitting on the roof and drinking my beer, listening to the loud pedestrians cross Archer and Main street after the bars close, and those loud trains that never seem to let up. Those are elements, whether noise pollution or trash that make living downtown an unique experience. Now, looking back and remembering how difficult it was to find an Urban pad in the first place; where is the rest of the lofts?

Who needs and proposed what?

During Vision 2025 there were proposals and fund requests from ten development / real-estate management companies in Tulsa. The funds were allocated out and distributed to help increase the overall quality of residential living spaces in downtown Tulsa. The funds were allocated based on longevity and overall return on the community for each dollar spent; we think. Why else give someone money to develop a Tulsa loft project, than to make sure its livable, secure, and nice; right?

According to Vision 2025’s website vision2025.info there was supposed to be RFP’s in 2005; seen them yet? The walk project, park remodels, and various other projects that spawned out of the same financial allocation are complete. There are also a few of the loft and building remodels that are complete: Tribune, Philtower, etc in downtown. So yes, there are a few downtown loft living spaces in Tulsa. The Tribune Phase II project listed below is not for any remodeling or further enhancements to the original building. The money is to build a secondary location directly next door the Tribune Building. “Hello, buy my loft, but by the way — a new building is going in right next door which is going to be MUCH nicer!” Try to sell that in two years. Trust me, it’s difficult!

Who, Why, What, Where, When, etc..

Transok Building
600 S. Main St.
Funds requested: $2 million
Total project cost: $4.7 million
Developer: Navajo Properties

The proposal: This is one of several downtown properties that have been purchased by California investors Henry Kaufman and Maurice Kanbar. The pair want to create 52 lofts on the upper floors, with the ground floor used as commercial space. The lofts would range in size from 752 to 1,450 square feet, with rent priced between $940 and $1,812.50 per month. Formerly known as the Public Service of Oklahoma Building, this art deco structure – completed in 1929 – is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Gates Building
Two buildings at 323 E. Brady St. and 216 N. Elgin Ave.
Funds requested: $1 million
Total project cost: $2.25 million
Developer: Gates Building LLC, Robert
Johnson Architects

The proposal: Converting the old Gates Hardware building and an adjacent structure in the Brady District into 16 units. They would rent for about $950 per month starting out. If sold, they would be priced between $180,000 and $200,000.

The Mayo Hotel
115 W. Fifth St.
Funds requested: $8.4 million
Total project costs: $21,342,548 million
Developer: Mayo LLC

The proposal: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Mayo Hotel was once hailed as the finest hotel in Oklahoma and was the tallest building in the state. In recent years, the Grand Lobby and Mezzanine have been renovated without public funds, and this project would continue that effort. The building would have 118 lofts that would be sized between 700 and 3,060 square feet and rent for $700 to $3,060 per month. There also would be new elevators, a revamped Crystal Ballroom and a rooftop bar. The proposal is split into two parts — one for $5 million and the other for $3.4 million — in case the city wants to help fund only a portion of the work.

First Street Lofts
310 E. First St.
Funds requested: $1,574,315
Total project cost: $2,824,315
Developer: Blue Dome Properties LLC

The proposal: A residential loft building that would be marketed as “creative spaces for creative people.” Sixteen units would range in size from 678 to 1,883 square feet and rent for between $700 to $2,100 per month. The bottom two floors would be commercial space.

The Olive District
Third Street and Kenosha Avenue
Funds requested: $5 million
Total project cost: $11.3 million
Developer: Maverick Properties

The proposal: In what is being billed as the beginning of the Olive District, 25-year-old entrepreneur Micha Alexander would construct a new building that would be a mix of condos and office and retail space. The 29 condos would have prices ranging from $153,150 to $238,200, and a penthouse would be priced at $630,600. Alexander said he is flexible on the name of the Olive District. It originated with the idea of making the cellular tower on the site look like a swivel stick and putting several giant olives at the bottom. (He started up the martini lounge 818 nearby.)

The Wright Building
115 W. Third St.
Funds requested: $1.5 million
Total project cost: $6,065,650
Developer: RK Development LLC

The proposal: To convert the top five floors of the building, which is in the process of being put on the National Register of Historic Places, into 27 one- and two-bedroom loft apartments. They would be sized between 1,027 and 1,710 square feet and rent for between $1,500 to $2,200 per month. A 45-space parking structure would be connected. The 1917 building was the first high-rise medical office in Tulsa.

The Mayo Building
424 S. Main St.
Funds requested: $4.5 million
Total project cost: $15.1 million
Developer: Wiggin Properties LLC

The proposal: The design calls for 94 one- and two-bedroom units in sizes ranging from 600 to 2,000 square feet, with ground-floor commercial outlets such as the current tenant, Billy’s On the Square restaurant. Monthly apartment rent would be $650 to $2,400. Amenities would include hardwood floors and a rooftop terrace. The building was constructed in 1910 and expanded in 1917.

Tulsa Club Condos
115 E. Fifth St.
Funds requested: $2.5 million
Total project cost: $6 million
Developer: Tulsa Club Development Co.

The proposals: With retail and office space on the first two floors of this art deco building, the rest would be converted to condominiums and penthouses. The 47 condominiums would range in sizes from 746 to 1,000 square feet and sell for between $111,000 and $150,000. The 13 penthouses would be 1,300 square feet each and sell for $260,000. This 1926 building was constructed through a joint effort between the Chamber of Commerce and the Tulsa Club, an exclusive organization that was started by Tulsa’s oilmen. Club members enjoyed a lounge, squash courts, gymnasium and barber shop and other amenities until it closed in 1994 due to falling membership.

Tribune Loft Condos
Phase II, adjacent to the original Tribune Building location at 20 E. Archer St.
Funds requested: $4 million
Total project cost: $11,592,000
Developer: American Residential Group

The proposal: A new building would be constructed with complimentary architecture adjacent to the original 1924 Tribune Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The second phase would have 40 units with one to three bedrooms and ranging in size from 831 to 2,258 square feet. They would have prices ranging from $165,000 to $395,000. The new building also would have office and retail space on the first floor and parking.

900 Reunion Center
9 E. Fourth St.
Funds requested: $2.76 million
Total project cost: $3.76 million
Developer: Reunion Investments Limited LLC

The proposal: Sixteen luxury condos sized between 1,500 and 1,800 square feet would be constructed in this 10-story building. Pricing for the condos has not been determined.The red-brick with limestone trim building was constructed in 1917 as the First National Bank building.

Conclusions

We don’t really have any conclusions as of yet, but we do have over 25 emails currently out there in cyber-space waiting for answers. We have started the process of finding out some answers and letting you know where we stand on downtown livable spaces. Urban lifestyle in Downtown Tulsa Loft Spaces; we know it exists, and will only get better — but how long do you think it’s going to be before we can really start living and enjoying some downtown Tulsa lofts and amenities?

At a cost of $350,000 the Tulsa County Industrial Authority approved a plan Monday to replace the roof on the historic Union Depot Building at First Street and Cincinnati Avenue. Do you feel this is money well spent?