Okay, I know we've discussed Chesapeake's Classen Curve in several other threads, but there is not really a thread dedicated to this discussion. They've obviously been working dilgently doing tons of dirt work the last few weeks. Does anyone know anything more or have links to renderings given to planning commission or any other "confidential" data even though it has to be filed with city departments to get permission, etc.

It's been posted other places but its belongs here.

Elliott + Associates Architects (http://www.e-a-a.com/Videos/ClassenCurve.html)

It looks to be more of an office park than retail space, as all the building fronts face inward. I'm sure this is at least partly due to the cemetery across the street but I can't imagine that will work well for many retailers.

Perhaps it will feature a couple of small restaurants but the rest looks better suited to office use.

Is this the Pearl's Graveside area or the area further down Classen?

At the Riverwalk in Jenks, all the retail stores face inward from the only road, and it seems to be working well, Pete.

Is this the Pearl's Graveside area or the area further down Classen?

It starts just across from Pearl's Graveside and continues around Classen's "curve" around by the cemetery on eastward to Grand.

About 4/5 of the way through the video, there is a rainbow colored mid-rise in the background to the left. Is that supposed to be anything? Also at the very end there is also a mid-rise looking building to the right. Anyone? This is the one project I've been almost totally in the dark on.

I know where you are talking about now. I remember driving by and seeing a lot of the houses being moved or torn down.

CHK owns almost all the houses on the streets due east of this proposed development and I have to believe CC is part of something that will be much larger.

About 4/5 of the way through the video, there is a rainbow colored mid-rise in the background to the left. Is that supposed to be anything? Also at the very end there is also a mid-rise looking building to the right. Anyone? This is the one project I've been almost totally in the dark on.
They are triangular shape signage towers that hide the dumpsters. Signs that lets you know who is in there, and yes there will be a couple of restaurants.

Is this the Pearl's Graveside
hah... i thought it was just the people that worked there that called it that.

It's not a graveside area, it's a park. Rose Hill Park or something like that :)

Burial Park.

Yes, I can assure you that it is a burial park. My grandparent's grave will have a very nice view of this new development.

This development will 3 restaurants and the rest will be retail...no office space.

Tuck, any idea on the restaurants or retail tenants?

I really don't know the details except for a couple of the restaurants and possible anchor tenants. I have seen the plans and am sure this deal will be very impressive. It reminds me of The Domain in Austin a little.

Sounds very encouraging!

I know I've personally been a bit apprehensive about CHK's grand plans but I'd love to see them come out of the chute with something new and different -- and most of all, successful.

Once this is built it will go a long ways towards reestablishing much of the retail and restaurants that they've already cleared.

I heard a ridiculous rumor of a "specialty grocery store"...someone shoot my hopes down fast.

I know I've personally been a bit apprehensive about CHK's grand plans but I'd love to see them come out of the chute with something new and different -- and most of all, successful.
Once this is built it will go a long ways towards reestablishing much of the retail and restaurants that they've already cleared.

Natural gas is over $13(up ~150% in the last 12 months), Aubrey is worth over $2 billion now and chk is minting money and doubled in the same time period. I'm thinking the prospects for this area are getting better by the day. I can't imagine a more opportune time for them to be taking this on, in terms of excess capital to work with.

Hopefully you and I can afford to shop at these stores once we're done paying our gas bills this winter.

You mean like... Crescent Market?

I heard a ridiculous rumor of a "specialty grocery store"...someone shoot my hopes down fast.

Actually, I think putting in a specialty grocery store like Whole Foods or something similar would have few better places in the city than right there. It seems close to a lot of "high earning" rooftops: a mile from Nichols Hills, a mile from Crown Heights, as well as being very near I-44.

From what I've heard, if we get a Whole Foods or large specialty grocer it will be located in the space between the old Tapwerks and Deep Fork Grill. Large grocers require a lot of square footage and ridiculous number of parking spots, which I don't think Classen Curve will have. Aubrey's master plan (or dream) for the Tapwerk triangle area also includes a luxury hotel with condo's on top.....possibly a ZaZa?

From what I've heard, if we get a Whole Foods or large specialty grocer it will be located in the space between the old Tapwerks and Deep Fork Grill. Large grocers require a lot of square footage and ridiculous number of parking spots, which I don't think Classen Curve will have. Aubrey's master plan (or dream) for the Tapwerk triangle area also includes a luxury hotel with condo's on top.....possibly a ZaZa?

SDS: Which one is it between TapWerks & Deep Fork: Grocery or hotel/condo?

SDS: Which one is it between TapWerks & Deep Fork: Grocery or hotel/condo?


The current plans call for both in that area. CHK apparently owns most, if not all, that space so they are waiting on leases to expire before beginning development.

ok...i need a birds eye view (site plan) of this tapwerks/deep fork area to visulaize buildings hotels and buildings being built. any idea on how many floors this luxury hotel will have? will it be visable driving down I-44? so aubrey will be building up.

CHK owns the properties in yellow but unless something has changed recently, not those in green:

http://www.pc78.com/images/okctalk/5600western.jpg

I miss that old tapwerks.

thanx pete

Pearl's Graveside

LOL that is effing hilarious!

I hope and pray a Crate and Barrel would be a part of this development. I want one in OKC so bad! Hi guys, I am new to the forums.

Crate and Barrel and West Elm would be nice. You'd think they'd have one in the marketplace since it's parent company Williams-Sonoma has a call center here with about 1000 workforce.

I hope and pray a Crate and Barrel would be a part of this development. I want one in OKC so bad! Hi guys, I am new to the forums.

Welcoem circuit board!

A crate and barrel would be MOST welcome!

Better yet, CB2.

I want Restoration Hardware. They've got one in Wichita and Tulsa, which is really annoying.

I agree, that is annoying. Wichita is the armpit of kansas, and they have a restoration hardware, but we don't. That really bothers me.

Actually, the Restoration Hardware in Wichita, which was located in Bradley Square has closed. The one in Tulsa is still open. I called and spoke with the manager of the Tulsa store and inquired if their were any plans to open a store in OKC? She replied, "Not at all". Besides, she stated, that is why we want OKC people spending their money in Tulsa. She came across as a little sarcastic and pompous??

Actually, the Restoration Hardware in Wichita, which was located in Bradley Square has closed. The one in Tulsa is still open. I called and spoke with the manager of the Tulsa store and inquired if their were any plans to open a store in OKC? She replied, "Not at all". Besides, she stated, that is why we want OKC people spending their money in Tulsa. She came across as a little sarcastic and pompous??


Gawd, that just irritates me to no end. Mark it down, I will never spend a dollar at restoration hardware in Tulsa.

I doubt the store manager in Tulsa would have any idea if there were plans to open an OKC store.

Why wouldn't they want to come to town? I'm sure it's just a matter of finding the right development.

Actually, the Restoration Hardware in Wichita, which was located in Bradley Square has closed. The one in Tulsa is still open. I called and spoke with the manager of the Tulsa store and inquired if their were any plans to open a store in OKC? She replied, "Not at all". Besides, she stated, that is why we want OKC people spending their money in Tulsa. She came across as a little sarcastic and pompous??

That's enough for me. I don't really need to shop there if they're going to look down their nose at us. I'm campaigning for an Anthropologie too, and got a fairly dismissive reply from their home office. Didn't the city hire someone to solicit retail for OKC? These people are clearly looking at median income without also considering cost of living, and they're not looking at median income of our higher income areas, because if we can support Chanel and Balliet's for years, then it's laughable to think we couldn't support Restoration Hardware and Anthropologie.

I wouldn't count on Restoration Hardware even surviving.

The company was taken private just a couple of days ago by two private equity firms that specialize in distressed companies. It lost $51.7 million last year. But the company was purchased for $177 million so a turnaround might be possible.

As a practical matter the lack of national credit status would make the company very unattractive for a retail development anytime and especially now with the credit markets in turmoil.

Actually, the Restoration Hardware in Wichita, which was located in Bradley Square has closed. The one in Tulsa is still open. I called and spoke with the manager of the Tulsa store and inquired if their were any plans to open a store in OKC? She replied, "Not at all". Besides, she stated, that is why we want OKC people spending their money in Tulsa. She came across as a little sarcastic and pompous??

typical Tulsa...

As a practical matter the lack of national credit status would make the company very unattractive for a retail development anytime and especially now with the credit markets in turmoil.

High-end retail is getting brutalized from all angles right now.

We don't need a Restoration Hardware in OKC. They have a store in Manhattan (of course) and are more the butt of jokes (there) than a respectable shop. They have a few nice things, but are mostly over-priced junk. OKC should aim higher. Consider the fact... they had a store in Wichita, Memphis, Tulsa.... how great can they be? Those are all fairly undesirable cities by most standards. I think Bo-Concept in Edmond is great to have around. More exclusive (and creative) stores like it would be better to create exciting shopping districts. We have to be careful to not look at "high-class project" areas in secondary cities for inspiration. Instead, look at long-established great districts in real cities for ideas... that's where the good stuff is. We shouldn't settle for secondary status.

I Agree with downtownguy20, getting a boconcept in OKC, is impressive. The other store locations are in prestigious, high end city's and country's.

Better yet, CB2.

CB2 just seems too expensive to me. I've never seen any of the stuff in person (I think there's only like 3 stores) but it looks like they could sell a lot of their products for far less.

Again, I ask... why are our city leaders not helping already-existing local stores to develop into something similar to Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, Anthologie, Urban Outfitters, etc. We've got to move beyong the mentality that these outside conglomerates are better for our city than local shops.

Again, I ask... why are our city leaders not helping already-existing local stores to develop into something similar to Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, Anthologie, Urban Outfitters, etc. We've got to move beyong the mentality that these outside conglomerates are better for our city than local shops.

VERY GOOD POINT!!! :congrats: :bright_id

Care to name any local shops that could attain the glorious product output of these chains?

......

.........

............

Good luck.

Lit Clothing in Downtown.

They have very very cool, nice clothes...a lot of it reminded me of Urban Outfitters if they were going to go a little more mainstream and broaden a bit. They could be something really big. They are terribly expensive though.

And that was just off the top of my head, plus I'm just a teenager. I've only seen the southside and parts of DT.

Again, I ask... why are our city leaders not helping already-existing local stores to develop into something similar to Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, Anthologie, Urban Outfitters, etc. We've got to move beyong the mentality that these outside conglomerates are better for our city than local shops.

How exactly would they do that? Either people like their product and they grow into a large chain, or they don't. What does it have to do with city leaders?

Care to name any local shops that could attain the glorious product output of these chains?

I would guess that most of these chains started out as individual stores. Mathis Brothers is sort of turning into a chain after decades of being a locally-owned business.


How exactly would they do that? Either people like their product and they grow into a large chain, or they don't. What does it have to do with city leaders?

I don't personally support this idea, but it's not hard to see possibilities. One would be for the state to help create some sort of incubator, consisting of expert help and perhaps venture capital, to help locally-owned businesses grow and expand. That's no more far-fetched, in my opinion, than city hall agreeing to underwrite the marketing costs of an outlet mall.

Well you have to admit it's a little more far fetched... Not a terrible idea though.

But with some of these kinds of "desired" upscale chains, there is no local equivalent, so there's nothing wrong with going after upscale national retail.

Drove by today, work is progressing rapidly. There were 4 concrete pads already poured and they are working on a few others. I imagine we'll see stuff go vertical pretty quickly. Also on the SE corner of Grand and Classen, Chesapeake tore down an office building today. A week or two ago, they tore down another building just north of the funeral home. Work is really taking shape in the area. Here are a few pics I snapped on my phone while in the car (don't recommend or endorse).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2736742146_70db8ef9b9.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2736742996_7e6a1f76e6.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2735909305_7e6c925e07.jpg?v=0

any master plans for the classen curve?

or could you just take a better pic of the poster board at the site.

There's a video of it at Rand Elliot's website, if you google Elliot and Associates.

Again, I ask... why are our city leaders not helping already-existing local stores to develop into something similar to Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, Anthologie, Urban Outfitters, etc. We've got to move beyong the mentality that these outside conglomerates are better for our city than local shops.

Love's Country Stores, Braum's, Mardel's come to mind.

^^ Or Sonic?

I think they meant really respected chains, things that won't go into just any old city, and are considered selective. Like, if Bruno's Home Furnishings went national it would be like that... LIT clothing could be something like that if they end up succeeding.

any master plans for the classen curve?

or could you just take a better pic of the poster board at the site.

Look back on page one or go here:

Elliott + Associates Architects (http://www.e-a-a.com/Videos/ClassenCurve.html)

Can't really take a better pic. That pic is right on the "curve" and usually has crazy traffic. Most drivers I notice are on their cell phones not paying attention and there is no place to pull off and do it out of the car. Kind of had to hold the phone out the window and click while moving. Check out the video, much better anyways.

Thanks Metro.

As soon as I typed that, I figured I probably could go to page 1 but was too lazy. lol.