Historic auto building to get renovation and new tenants (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=498-Historic-auto-building-to-get-renovation-and-new-tenants)

As we reported on May 4th (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=494-Mercedes-dealership-closes-in-Automobile-Alley-property-future-uncertain), the Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City dealership had very recently relocated to a new facility near Edmond, leaving behind several structures and holding lots.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1225broadwayd.jpg


The property is owned by the Midtown Renaissance group which has been behind the great renovations of the Buick and Pontiac buildings, the Marion Hotel, The Klein and several other quality projects. They are also soon to start on the new Monarch office building (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=487-Bold-new-office-building-proposed-for-Midtown).

Now, the development and investment group is preparing to re-purpose the old Mercedes detail facility at 1225 N. Broadway Place, a historic barrel-roofed building constructed in 1940.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1225broadwayb.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1225broadwayc.jpg


Plans filed with the Downtown Design Review committee show the space being split between two new tenants, a new outdoor courtyard, and replacing windows and overhead doors with new glass.

The building at 1225 N. Broadway Place contains 8,556 interior square feet.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1225broadwayaaa.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1225broadwaydrone.jpg

That whole area, with it's tight street grid, variety of buildings, a freakin curved street, and proximity to the streetcar, has massive potential.

Looks great. Any idea if they have tenants lined up?

Looks great. Any idea if they have tenants lined up?

They won't say.

But the way the space is carved up it seems to indicate they already have tenants in mind.

I was hoping something would happen here after the dealership moved out. Personally, I don't mind the dealership leaving. This corridor is better suited for mixed use, residential, and office development rather than big lots filled with cars.

A car dealership is basically just a huge holding lot for hundreds if not thousands of cars. It's a terrible use of urban space.

It's just that this same development group also owns tons of vacant or nearly vacant property all over Midtown.

They do great work but are methodical and I just fear big chunks of Midtown are going to stay undeveloped for a very long time.

There was talk at the last BID board meeting to extend the Automobile Alley district up to 13th for BID 3.0 now that it would make more sense. No decisions made yet though.

makes sense to extend the district. ...

They've started work on the renovation.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classics123118.jpg

Really shaping up.

There is a tech tenant going into the western half of the building and some sort of event space in what used to be -- I believe -- the carwash of this building which was most recently used as part of the Mercedes dealership.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classics012019.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classics121018.jpg

A software company called Exaptive is moving from 309 NW 13th to the west half of this building.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/exaptive022619.jpg

I remember seeing my first and only encounter with a silver Mercedez 300 SL Gullwing. It was being stored in this building, several years ago. Was a gorgeous sight.

Mass Architects is taking the eastern half of this building.

They are currently only a couple of blocks away at 18 Park Place.