Not to sound sceptical, but we've been at this point so many times over the years. I hate to feel excited about something until we see some real work going on. My "best buddy" on this thread will now pounce on me here and tell me I'm stupid....

Well, I'm not actually certain this is so. Because it isn't one project that's on the boards or under construction on 23rd right now. Really, it's multiple completed redevelopments, with a few under way, and a few planned.

So I'm hoping, and not disagreeing with bomber, that this time the Tower Redevelopment goes through with all the recent proposals growing on 23rd.

Having the Deep Fork people on the dotted line is very encouraging.

And with the whole area gaining momentum, looks like it's finally the right time to make this work.

They've really stabilized the Blue Note, which is basically a neighbor. They obviously are committed to the neighborhood.

What’s cooking on NW 23rd? New eateries in the works as corridor makes comeback
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 09:27 PM Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Here is the portion of the article I posted on the 23rd St Development thread that has to do with the Tower Theatre

Renovation plans are gearing up at NW 23rd Street’s historic Tower Theater, some five years after brothers Marty and Mike Dillon purchased the vacant property.

The project stalled when the economy went south a few years ago, but has found new momentum. At the same time, several new restaurants have sprung up in the area.

Construction that will transform the old movie house into a special events center is slated to begin within the next 60 to 90 days, Marty Dillon said.

“I saw this area as something poised to come back, although maybe I got in about four years too early,” he said.

Local restaurateur Deep Fork Group has leased 45,000 square feet of retail space next door to the theater and is developing two restaurant and bar concepts there, Marty Dillon said.

Is this project dead?

I haven't seen any construction or renovation at the Tower in quite some time. In fact the building is starting regress, not progress.

It has been 5 1/2 years since the Tower redevelopment project started.

Not dead. Just going VEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYY slow.... I'll keep you advised when it's really about to start up. Right now this project is on "the dark side of the moon."

The project is on the Urban Design agenda for a new Certificate of Approval next week Wednesday.

Not dead. Just going VEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYY slow.... I'll keep you advised when it's really about to start up. Right now this project is on "the dark side of the moon."

Are you hinting that there will be Pink Floyd laser light shows there?

Wow, the two new Deep Fork ventures on 23rd are really exciting, though.

What timing! In the agenda for the 12/21 Urban Design Committee there is an application to restore the theater. This had been previously approved in 2007 but the two year time frame lapsed, so they are going through the formality again now, which means they are finally ready to start.

Here is some of what they'll be doing with architect Brian Fitzsimmons handling the design. Fitzsimmons has done a fantastic job with the 23rd Street Courtyard project along with all the Midtown Renaissance buildings.


1. Main Building
a) The storefronts will be replaced in whole. The new storefronts will use
clear, insulated glass. The frames will be aluminum finished to match
existing/original framing.
b) Black, off-white and green Vitrolite glass tile will be used to replace
original, existing tile on the NW 23rd Street elevation.
c) The 2nd floor windows will be replaced with windows that match the
profile of original windows based on photographic evidence. Existing
windows behind the sign will be repaired or replaced as necessary.
d) The historic entry will be restored with new storefront glass and metal
panels to match the original.
e) The two existing flat canopies will be restored by removing wood fascia
and restoration of other items. Metal soffits will be installed; although
metal may not be installed and the existing ribbed panel may be painted.
f) The glazed tile under a now-removed canopy will be replaced with
matching tile.
g) The exterior stairs at the west elevation will be restored with new wood
treads and repaired metal handrails.
h) An original door will be installed in place of brick infill in the alley.
i) The center alley will be in-filled with brick to match existing. A flat roof
will be installed on top of the infill section. A balcony will extend from
the 2nd floor onto the new flat roof.

During our little Christmas Light tour the other night we drove by the theater.
The beautiful neon sign announced that it is now the "_OWER" theater. =)
No kidding.

No worries now that Fitzsimmons is involved.

http://fitzsimmons-arch.com/images/tower_2.jpg

I'm still kind of curious what they plan to do with the theater space itself. Every thing says "multi-use". Will this just be another Will Rogers theater catering to mainly private special events or will it be a true mid-sized theater venue used for public events like concerts?

Is leveling the sidewalk going to negatively impact immediate local drainage concerns?

(Just kidding . . . So, how much of that property used to actually be the theater? I know that I saw at least three movies there--back in the day--but I don't remember the details.)

I think that fixing up (continuing to restore) that section of NE 23rd is one of the best ideas ever.

how much of that property used to actually be the theater?

The assessor's site indicates that there is 8,556 square feet of theater space and 16,844 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant/office.

http://fitzsimmons-arch.com/images/tower_3.jpg

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/searches/Sketches/sketchfile/2682/R046601280001.jpg

Thank you, Mr. B. ! =)
The last time I saw a movie there, nobody--including me--was wearing a tie.
And people were hollering stuff at the picture on the screen.
I don't remember the film, but it wasn't the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

As I said: Restoring NE 23 is one of the best ideas ever.
Especially in this Kinder, More Enlightened Age.
No kidding.

After spending four years as a student at OCU and then going back as staff for a year, I'm really excited about this one. I've always dreamed of hitting the lottery and renovating the building (I'd have to play the lottery first, I guess). I hope they do this well and make it a real asset for that part of town. With OCU's film program, they could potentially use it for some showings, as well as other cultural programs from the university (to supplement the general community).

The trouble with converting a theater is that you have to level out the floor, which either creates an elevated wood surface (with its own issues) or a filled in surface over the existing one. If you think about the "stage" end, you're really just leveling the stage with the front doors, so you do get a good contiguous space out of it. But what do you do with that besides events? And the balcony can't really be re-used. You can't level it out without adding too much weight to make it not structurally sound. What you COULD do is level out every 3 or 4 rows (enough to put a table) and have some tiered seating for those events.

This isn't too far from Will Rogers, but 23rd isn't Western either. Hopefully it will take off, but tehre's a lot of work and money that would have to go into the thing. Will Rogers isn't exactlly full 7 days a week either.

"theater conversion trouble" . . .
" . . . OWER" neon sign" =)

Almost as new, improved
as (the historic)
Willard's Roofing
just across
and down
the street
from
The Spaghetti Warehouse.
In Proto-Bricktown. =)

I don't have an actual dime invested in this venture
(as that would be a conflict of interest).
Only the Hope and Faith that it will succeed.
(Despite the "obstacles" to "progress")

I apologize if that appeared "selfish"
still . . .
isn't mis-directed "selflessness"
an equally hazardous paradigm?

I would love to see the tower open up as a small indapendent movie theater like Circle Cinema in Tulsa, especially with a small bar in the lobby (If anyone has ever been to The Mayan Theater in Denver thats what I'm envisioning). It would be a good place for offbeat movies that don't generally make it to the major theaters.

Of course, the only reason Circle Cinema has been able to remain open is through wealthy benefactors keeping it afloat so maybe it's not the most feasible business model. I feel like Will Rogers does a good job of filling the niche "theater turned event center" market and REALLY like the lobby bar, but I would like to see Tower Theater go another direction.

Radical,

It's actually on NW 23rd. While it's not necessarily a super important distinction but worth noting. I do think that the entire street from Broadway (Byron's, Carl's Jr, Mcdonalds) to Classen (Walgreen's, Gold Dome, Etc), has a chance to become an incredibly solid strip for OKC if the money and vision is there.

The major need for the strip is entertainment and it seems that the Tower theater is the most viable candidate to be a big ticket item. I'm not sure what the best route for Tower to go would be, but if they could find something unique to do that would be a big enough draw to encourage traffic in the area, it would be huge.

It's actually on NW 23rd.

Of course it is . . . =)
I don't know what I was thinking.
Obviously not about geography . . .

How about a small concert venue? If you level it out, it has the possibility to be that as well. We don't really have very many places for small concerts that aren't super big names. Touble is, you have to diversify if you do that so you can fill the place the other 345 days of the year.

How about a small concert venue? If you level it out, it has the possibility to be that as well. We don't really have very many places for small concerts that aren't super big names. Touble is, you have to diversify if you do that so you can fill the place the other 345 days of the year.

OKC needs a mid-sized place for concerts. Bricktown Events Center just doesn't cut it, and I think the only other place that might qualify as close to mid-sized is the Diamond Ballroom. We have lots of small venues and 2 large venues, but not enough in the middle. I could be wrong, however, since I haven't been to many shows here since we moved back. That would be very nice if something like that happened (thinking of what a good show The Cramps was at the Will Rogers many years ago).

I don't know if a concert venue is the best way to go. The problem with OKC is that there is not exactly a thriving market for music here. I would be concerned that (A) there would not be more than 50% of days that have musicians (B) that attendance would not be the greatest even if we could get musicians in the space.

I would LOVE to be proven wrong in that, but now in (almost) 2012 I can't really see it. Maybe 5 to 10 years from now.

The primary owner of The Tower Theater is a long time fixture in the OKC music scene as both a musician and sound man for other bands/venues in the past, that was always in addition to his "full time job". Don't be surprised if whatever goes in there has some live music dates mixed in with other events.

I heard from one of the DFG owners that the bars and restaurant they have planned for the Tower Theater will be mainly non-smoking. They don't anticipate the new venues to have much effect on business at Blue Note, which is a smoker friendly venue. They do plan to use the theater for live music.

I don't know if a concert venue is the best way to go. The problem with OKC is that there is not exactly a thriving market for music here. I would be concerned that (A) there would not be more than 50% of days that have musicians (B) that attendance would not be the greatest even if we could get musicians in the space.

I would LOVE to be proven wrong in that, but now in (almost) 2012 I can't really see it. Maybe 5 to 10 years from now.

Actually we have a thriving "underground" music scene with no venue. The Conservatory might as well be a big garage. Not a pleasant place to see bands IMO. Tower reminds me of the Granada in Dallas. Just big enough to host decent acts but small enough that it feels intimate.

I think that the biggest challenge is with respect to competing with Tula's long established music houses. It takes a strategic promoter for the venue to get band mangers to break away from playing Tulsa ever time. That is what it is going to come down to in terms of a successful venue, the right manger/promoter.

Actually we have a thriving "underground" music scene with no venue. The Conservatory might as well be a big garage. Not a pleasant place to see bands IMO. Tower reminds me of the Granada in Dallas. Just big enough to host decent acts but small enough that it feels intimate.

I think that the biggest challenge is with respect to competing with Tula's long established music houses. It takes a strategic promoter for the venue to get band mangers to break away from playing Tulsa ever time. That is what it is going to come down to in terms of a successful venue, the right manger/promoter.

Do we have enough of an underground scene that there could be at least 200 concerts (every weekend night of the year +~40 more shows) a year with an average attendance of around 150 to 200 people?

Do we have enough of an underground scene that there could be at least 200 concerts (every weekend night of the year +~40 more shows) a year with an average attendance of around 150 to 200 people?
You might be surprised. A good place to check out when discussing the local music scene is OklahomaRock.com, particularly the shows (http://www.oklahomarock.com/shows.htm) and bands (http://www.oklahomarock.com/bands.htm) pages. Oklahoma City's local music scene is literally the best it has ever been, and only getting better. ACM will be a strong catalyst in this regard. Urban Pioneer is right though; it's hard to get promoters and band management to consider OKC over Tulsa when they contemplate a stop in Oklahoma. Tulsa has become a habitual stop for them due to decades of great support and excellent venues.

Do we have enough of an underground scene that there could be at least 200 concerts (every weekend night of the year +~40 more shows) a year with an average attendance of around 150 to 200 people?

Would be nice if we did, but I'm not sure. Chicken and egg situation - if there are enough venues attracting enough bands, will the audience come? If there aren't enough venues, is it because nobody is building them because they don't think there is enough audience or enough bands? Are bands not coming here because they don't think there's an audience or because there aren't enough good venues?

Found some photos from a couple of years ago... Not sure how much progress they've made inside but you see the place was a real wreck when the current group took over.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3345/3473213315_b0747931d4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71115341@N00/3473213315/)
Looking back from the Stage (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71115341@N00/3473213315/) by UpNAdam (http://www.flickr.com/people/71115341@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3648/3473182437_352f7bcbc8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71115341@N00/3473182437/)
Entry (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71115341@N00/3473182437/) by UpNAdam (http://www.flickr.com/people/71115341@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3350/3473211615_638b79a8c7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71115341@N00/3473211615/)
Stairs to balcony (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71115341@N00/3473211615/) by UpNAdam (http://www.flickr.com/people/71115341@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3298/3473220025_b915a0e40b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71115341@N00/3473220025/)
Chandelier (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71115341@N00/3473220025/) by UpNAdam (http://www.flickr.com/people/71115341@N00/), on Flickr

This is an amazing set of photos! There's a TON of work to be done, but the projector looks like it could start right up!

Wade Starr?

Moving forward with What?
Putting in a club, restaurants and bar. I've texted Wade a couple times since I heard Deep Fork bought into it (so we can move Robotic Wednesdays there).. but I think he's mad at me.

I'm so glad that 23rd street is starting to take off. I owned a record store on 23rd for 7 years in the 90s. I used to have meetings with Jason King of 23rd st body piercing and we'd brainstorm ideas on how to encourage development in that area.

I also dj'd at a rave inside the Tower around that time too.

#backintheday

Bo Diddley played at The Tower in the late 90's or early 2000's, I know there were a few other shows around that time. I used to go see bands all the time at The Bricktown Brewery and they would get packed when bands like Wakeland, The Nixons, Molly's Yes, Caroline's Spine and other regional or national acts played there, they had quite a few well known acts at the time play there back then. They would get good crowds when some local favorites like Superfreak played there, well more than 150-200 people. I saw Seven Mary Three at The Will Rogers (1996) and The Nixons at The Boar's Head in French Market Mall and The Roxy (former Quicksilver's at NW 10th & MacArthur) in the mid 90's. In fact The Roxy had a run of about a year or two around 94-95 where I saw quite a few shows there, Dream Theater/Fates Warning, Motley Crue (w/ John Corabi), Kansas and a few others. It was a horrible venue (Dream Theater's stage barely fit or was made to fit in there) but it was nice to have a mid-sized venue that had $20 shows.

Actually we have a thriving "underground" music scene with no venue. The Conservatory might as well be a big garage. Not a pleasant place to see bands IMO. Tower reminds me of the Granada in Dallas. Just big enough to host decent acts but small enough that it feels intimate.

I think that the biggest challenge is with respect to competing with Tula's long established music houses. It takes a strategic promoter for the venue to get band mangers to break away from playing Tulsa ever time. That is what it is going to come down to in terms of a successful venue, the right manger/promoter.

I don't think there's much of a need to compete with the Cain's Ballroom, because a lot of those acts would easily do OKC as well. In fact I see it as a strength, even.

The problem that I see is just that these kinds of places are almost impossible to just start up from scratch. They have to have a legacy in order for a LOT of people to care enough to keep coming show after show. Cain's has an amazing following. I would like to see this become something like the Grenada in Dallas or Liberty Hall in Lawrence, but it will just take time. I'm sure that the Flaming Lips and the rest of the local scene will lend it a big hand, though.

Great news... $800,000 building permit filed today for the Tower Theater!

This will really be a game changer for that area when complete.


I think we are all learning that most times with these big restoration projects that slow is often the best approach. Look how well it's paid off for the various Midtown developments... And the fact the Tower people have great collaborators like Brian Fitzsimmons (architect for all the Midtown Renaissance renos) and the Deep Fork Group indicate another success.

I'm just glad someone is actually DOING something rather than just saying they are. That's been my complain for years. People come in and promise the world, then they see how much work there actually is to do (like with the First National Center), and then they run off and abandon the place. There's already been more work done in the last few years than has probably been done in the previous 10 and it's AWESOME! The sign itself is a MAJOR boost.

The best analog to Cain's in OKC is actually the second floor of the Farmer's Public Market. In fact, Bob Wills originally relocated THERE, and not Cain's, when he came to Oklahoma from Fort Worth. The first shows of "Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys" (they were the Light Crust Doughboys before that) actually occurred in OKC. He did his live radio show there (on WKY) until the sponsor of his old Fort Worth show threatened to pull their ads on the station if he continued to play shows.

That's why he moved to Tulsa and started the legendary, long-running show on KVOO. The history of those buildings, of OKC/Tulsa, live music in Oklahoma and even the history of pop/country/rock 'n' roll might be much different if the sponsor hadn't run him out of OKC. Live music, dances and such occurred for years after at the farmer's market, but I imagine it would have been much different had Bob Wills stayed here.

Sorry to digress; I just think about that quite a bit every time I go to a show at Cains or an event at the farmers market (which I would LOVE to see revived as a music venue). The right venue(s) and the right promoter(s) can have a profound cultural impact on a city, one which you might not even recognize until years later. I'm pulling for the Tower to give an assist to our local music scene.

I may have misheard but I heard that a relative of mine was planning on taking over the tower theater and turning it into a bar/grill. Ill try and dig some more information on this. He may be the one who filed for the permit.

Uptown momentum continues with new shops, hope for Tower Theater (http://newsok.com/uptown-momentum-continues-with-new-shops-hope-for-tower-theater/article/3730508)

Dillon said Tuesday his latest plan is to renovate the building in phases, starting with renovation of the street level retail and office space first, and then developing the theater at a later time.

“It's been ridiculous,” Dillon said. “My main focus is running Party Galaxy. I've never had this much trouble getting something off the ground.”

With the upcoming redevelopment by Jonathan Russell and the work completed by Sellers and others, Dillion is hopeful that lenders will be more supportive of his efforts with the Tower Theater.

Uptown momentum continues with new shops, hope for Tower Theater (http://newsok.com/uptown-momentum-continues-with-new-shops-hope-for-tower-theater/article/3730508)

Dillon said Tuesday his latest plan is to renovate the building in phases, starting with renovation of the street level retail and office space first, and then developing the theater at a later time.

“It's been ridiculous,” Dillon said. “My main focus is running Party Galaxy. I've never had this much trouble getting something off the ground.”

With the upcoming redevelopment by Jonathan Russell and the work completed by Sellers and others, Dillion is hopeful that lenders will be more supportive of his efforts with the Tower Theater.

Does OKC have a theater for indie/foreign films? They are HUGE right now with young, urban-minded professionals and most larger cities have them. If not, the Tower theater would be great to fill that void. No matter what its use, I would love to see it redeveloped. Its location can't be beat and it could become a destination for the young professional crowd. OKC has made great strides towards having more options for the creative class over the past decade but there is still more to be done if OKC is to ever be on the radar for relocating young professionals like cities such as Austin, Portland, Minneapolis, Charlotte, etc.

Yes, the OKCMOA has shown them for years. Also The Paramount in Film Row.

Yes, the OKCMOA has shown them for years. Also The Paramount in Film Row.

Cool. I was unaware of that. The Tower Theater could be a real jewel though if restored given its historical charm, like Circle Cinema in Tulsa.

Does OKC have a theater for indie/foreign films? They are HUGE right now with young, urban-minded professionals and most larger cities have them. If not, the Tower theater would be great to fill that void. No matter what its use, I would love to see it redeveloped. Its location can't be beat and it could become a destination for the young professional crowd. OKC has made great strides towards having more options for the creative class over the past decade but there is still more to be done if OKC is to ever be on the radar for relocating young professionals like cities such as Austin, Portland, Minneapolis, Charlotte, etc.

Yes. The Noble Theatre in the art museum. I also hope we strive to create destinations for more than just the "young professional" crowd.

@bchris02 - the Paramount site, if you are interested, is at: The Paramount OKC: Coffee Shop, Downtown Lunch, Great Wines, Classic Movies & More (http://theparamountokc.com) and there is a thread here at okctalk.com at:
http://www.okctalk.com/other-urban-development/31475-paramount.html

Uptown momentum continues with new shops, hope for Tower Theater | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/uptown-momentum-continues-with-new-shops-hope-for-tower-theater/article/3730508)

Yes. The Noble Theatre in the art museum. I also hope we strive to create destinations for more than just the "young professional" crowd.

Agree with this for the most part. I do want to add though that becoming a more attractive city for young professionals is just as important as remaining a great place for families. The Millennial generation is a growing segment of the economy and for the most part they are marrying and settling down later. I think this city is still a few years away from having comparable offerings for the creative class as similar sized cities across the nation. It's certainly getting better every year though. A decade ago, the Paseo was widely regarded as unsafe after dark and now it's one of the city's most attractive neighborhoods for young professionals.

Agree with this for the most part. I do want to add though that becoming a more attractive city for young professionals is just as important as remaining a great place for families. The Millennial generation is a growing segment of the economy and for the most part they are marrying and settling down later. I think this city is still a few years away from having comparable offerings for the creative class as similar sized cities across the nation. It's certainly getting better every year though. A decade ago, the Paseo was widely regarded as unsafe after dark and now it's one of the city's most attractive neighborhoods for young professionals.

I guess this is just semantics. What I'm saying is not everyone should have to work at Chesapeake. We also have many artists and musicians who may not qualify as "young professionals."

I guess this is just semantics. What I'm saying is not everyone should have to work at Chesapeake. We also have many artists and musicians who may not qualify as "young professionals."

It's not just semantics. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE TO WORK AT CHESAPEAKE! EVERYONE!

I guess this is just semantics. What I'm saying is not everyone should have to work at Chesapeake. We also have many artists and musicians who may not qualify as "young professionals."

I'll add Devon...or energy in general to that. There are plenty of us out there in different fields doing well, and enjoying living here.

I guess this is just semantics. What I'm saying is not everyone should have to work at Chesapeake. We also have many artists and musicians who may not qualify as "young professionals."

I see. My definition of "young professional" is educated or cultured twentysomethings regardless of where they work. A large part of the "young professional" demographic relocates for their first job after leaving college and they care just as much about the quality of amenities in the city they will be living as the job they will have.

Are things finally in the works for the Tower Theater as per Steve's blog?

An Interest Worth Watching | OKC Central (http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2012/12/29/an-interest-worth-watching/)

Are things finally in the works for the Tower Theater as per Steve's blog?

An Interest Worth Watching | OKC Central (http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2012/12/29/an-interest-worth-watching/)

I hope so. This will be a huge attraction for OKC if it gets revitalized.

John Fowler, I would think, has the financial gravitas to get something done if he takes an interest. That is very exciting news.

It seems the time is now for the Tower with everything else falling in place around it.

Until it is brought back to life, 23rd is still going to have a massive hole.


Exciting news but we've been teased for over seven years about this project.

Time for Marty Dillon to take a bow.

OKC's Uptown 23rd Street Primed For Big Revival - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/20489919/okcs-uptown-23rd-street-primed-for-big-revival)