OKC getting states first "true" lifestyle center.

[TheArtist]

OKC getting states first "true" lifestyle center.  I say "true" because it has the scale, quality, and mixed use variety of a real lifestyle center.  Its recently become a fad to call any new development a lifestyle center because of the cache that the name implies, even though it may really not be one, aka BA's new shopping/restaurant development. The original lifestyle centers were upscale, designed to be walkable districts and often emulated old town squares and classical urban districts with a full range of mixed uses.

But anyway this 600million to 800million dollar development seems like it could be very nice from this and other articles I have read about it.  They are hoping to have, Saks and Neimann-Marcus, etc. Guess this will knock Utica Square off its pedistal as the states premier high end shopping destination.

http://www.okcbusiness.com/industry_article.asp?cID=D&aID=74239893.6103374.574587.4645621.8495811.288&aID2=44190

Used to be you could argue that Tulsa was just as nice, if not nicer, than OKC.  We had this,and this, and they don't.  Our such and such is better, etc.  Kind of makes ya feel bad as we keep slipping and slipping, losing more and more ground as they slowly steal each little bragging right away from us. Soon the old rivalry will be over.  There will be, some say it already is so, one clear winner...and no contest at all.

[nuclear_2525]

actually it's not near as cool as it sounds.  It is more along the line of Stonewood Hills in BA.  Think back to the beginning, the developer of Stonewood Hills also said stores like Nordstrom, Crate & Barrel etc came to mind.

Here is the link to it on OKCTalk

http://www.okctalk.com/okc-metro-area-talk/8686-huge-mixed-used-project-proposed-north-quail-springs.html?highlight=quail+springs+village

Notice that most of the development and probably close to half of the 600-800 million is going to suburban style development around the actual "urban" area.  Also, there is no comparison in size to Utica Square.  I would say this is a minor development compared.  

This to me looks like a carbon copy of Stonewood Hills.  Just in North OKC instead of BA.  If it ends up landing a NM and Saks, then maybe it will be something worth talking about.

[Renaissance]

It would be a lot more interesting if it weren't a half-hour drive from downtown.

[sgrizzle]

OKC thinks qual springs is their plano.

Someday someone will figure out that calling it "mixed-use" and "lifestyle" doesn't make it either.

[Chicken Little]

A "lifestyle center".  Look familiar?

Not wanting to bicker, but ICSC provides the industry defintion of "lifestyle center".  Check it:

quote: Lifestyle Center: Most often located near affluent residential neighborhoods, this center type caters tothe retail needs and "lifestyle" pursuits of consumers in its trading area. It has an open-air configuration and typically includes at least 50,000 square feet of retail space occupied by upscale national chain specialty stores. Other elements differentiate the lifestyle center in its role as a multi-purpose leisure-time destination, including restaurants,entertainment, and design ambience and amenities such as fountains and street furniture that are conducive to casual browsing. These centers maybe anchored by one or more conventional or fashion specialty department stores.

That's Utica Square to a tee.  It is, unambiguously, the first "true" lifestyle center in Oklahoma, est. 1952.