NEW DOWNTOWN MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORKS

[TheArtist]

But that's not what you said at all--you specifically said "And lets remember what we are mainly talking about here.  Small apartment living."

And we're not talking about the difference in prices and sizes between suburban houses and urban apartments (or about someone downsizing and the pain associated with shedding 'stuff'). We're talking about walls that keep one's bedroom separate from other living space.

Having a majority of units without bedroom walls might seem like a good idea in theory, and for now, but wait 10 or 20 years. Does there need to be that option? Yes. Does it need to be 85% of the available units? No.

You had said "teeny-tiny apartments" which is smaller than "small" lol.  I said "small apartment living" which to me meant smaller than a house or large apartment.  Ideally I would want an apartment or condo with 3 bedrooms.  I live in a small house at 2,000 sq feet, so an apartment thats smaller than that, is ,,,, "Small apartment living" to me.  Again, you said "teeny-tiny lol.  I suppose you were thinking "small" compared to other urban apartments, but I was thinking "small" in the context of all housing options.  Many people on here have said they would like to live downtown, but expressed the notion that they would have to downsize a lot, or pay a lot more in order live downtown. Those comments and my own perspective have colored what I am talking about.

Perhaps we are having a different perspective on what is "small" versus "teeny-tiny" is .  

  If they want to add walls in 10 or 20 years, or next month,,, its easy to do.  Much easier than taking walls out. And this one apartment building isnt the only one that has been built or will be built in downtown. 

[TURobY]

I live in a small house at 2,000 sq feet...

LOL, the concept of a 2,000 sq foot house being small sounds so weird to me. I live in a 1,300 sq ft house, and I have a friend in a 900 sq ft house. I thought hers was a little on the small side, and mine as small-ish. But 2,000 sq ft?!? I don't know what to even put in that much space!

[dsjeffries]

But 2,000 sq ft?!? I don't know what to even put in that much space!

How about some walls?

[fotd]

LOL, the concept of a 2,000 sq foot house being small sounds so weird to me. I live in a 1,300 sq ft house, and I have a friend in a 900 sq ft house. I thought hers was a little on the small side, and mine as small-ish. But 2,000 sq ft?!? I don't know what to even put in that much space!

That is large by 1950's and 60's standards. My how we've changed. Looking at Florida beach front, finding 900 sq.feet is a task. Even the condos in multi story buildings average 1800.

[Red Arrow]

LOL, the concept of a 2,000 sq foot house being small sounds so weird to me. I live in a 1,300 sq ft house, and I have a friend in a 900 sq ft house. I thought hers was a little on the small side, and mine as small-ish. But 2,000 sq ft?!? I don't know what to even put in that much space!

Stuff accumulates to fill the space available. 

[Rico]

Will,

Read that the TDA will be tendering an amount to settle the suit.

This is an admission of the "breach of contract".. correct?

I know it is old news and you have moved on to another project, however,
tip of the hat for holding them to their actions..

Not that TDA has anything close to a good record.. This just one more thing in a long list of crap they have been responsible for.

[TheLofts@120]

Thank you all for the comments, we are taking them all into consideration as we begin to move forward on the architectual and engineering for this development.  I will certainly keep everyone informed as new information becomes available.

Rico - Thank you, yes I saw the article in today's paper.  Was quite surprising.  So as not to conflict with this development, I am posting my comments related to that article on another topic to cover that.  Thanks again.

Will

[TheLofts@120]

ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERING TEAM CHOSEN FOR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

COMING TO CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

Contact: Will Wilkins (918) 902-0760 For Immediate Release
April 20, 2010

Tulsa, OK. – Property owner David Sharp and Will Wilkins of the 120 Development Group, LLC today announced the selection of architectural firm S Squared Architects for the re-development of the Enterprise Building located at 522 S. Boston Avenue in downtown Tulsa's Central Business District.

Consultants for S Squared Architects include Lancorp Engineering to provide engineering services for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, with Wallace Engineering providing structural.
The Enterprise Building was recently purchased by David Sharp with plans to convert the nine-story building into a mixed-use residential/commercial development offering more affordable housing within the business core of downtown, near large employers, restaurants, hotels and the new Centennial Park.

S Squared Architects is a full-service architecture firm that has been in operation since 2005. The firm's principals have worked in the Tulsa area for the past 13 years on a diverse range of project types. Being Tulsa natives, they have a genuine interest in aiding in the revitalization of downtown. The firm's 'working principal' philosophy allows the principals to be directly involved with their clients and consultants at every stage of the design process, affording their clients highly integrated quality control during the entire process and ultimately delivering projects that their clients find exceptional, both fiscally and aesthetically.

Lancorp Engineering was launched in 2004, by principals Jim and Belkis Lane, as a full service, multi-discipline engineering firm that provides for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design. Lancorp Engineering is dedicated to sustainable urban renewal projects and is committed to designing engineering systems that deliver high performance inside and out.

Wallace Engineering is a structural and civil engineering consulting firm that was founded in 1981 by Tom Wallace. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the firm has since grown to include additional offices in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Kansas City, Missouri and Castle Rock, Colorado; sixteen principals and combined staff of over one hundred thirty people. Wallace Engineering has personnel registered as Professional Engineers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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[Gaspar]

S Squared?  Is that a new firm?

I can't find anything on them.

Who's the principal?

[TheLofts@120]

Gaspar - they are a fairly new firm, Principals are Paul and Carrie Shell, previously associated with GH2 Architects.  They're website is www.s2archs.com

[SXSW]

Great to see this progressing.  What is the status of your other project in the Brady district?  This one:


Where is this btw, on Main?

[Townsend]

Great to see this progressing.  What is the status of your other project in the Brady district?  This one:

Is that the building across Main from Hunt Club?

[Townsend]

Is that the building across Main from Hunt Club?

Oh NM, that's too many stories.  Damn.

[Gaspar]

Gaspar - they are a fairly new firm, Principals are Paul and Carrie Shell, previously associated with GH2 Architects.  They're website is www.s2archs.com

Very cool.  I love to see jobs go to small firms rather than the big boys all the time.

[Conan71]

Is that the building across Main from Hunt Club?

Unfortunately, I've heard the owner or owner's family is not interested in selling the building (old Ford dealership is what I've heard over the years and that the owner is in his/her 90's- not sure how true that is, I'm assuming Mary Ellen at the HC or one of the Matthews/Matheos brothers might know).  It's got great potential for development and I love the tile work in the builiding.  It would be fantastic mixed use.