In the 1920’s, Tulsa’s art deco masterpieces were built to house the companies and entrepreneurs who birthed the city’s oil boom. Almost 100 years later, those buildings are being revitalized to accommodate the waves of young professionals who have been flooding into the city seeking an affordable lifestyle and strong entrepreneurial opportunity. Unlike previous generations who sought suburban grandeur, these professionals prefer to live downtown, with their workplaces and social spaces only a short walk away. Remodeling and renovation efforts have sprung up alongside new construction projects as downtown developers race to meet the demand. This activity means that construction job leads for both residential and commercial projects downtown are plentiful, with dozens of high-dollar building permits being issued each month.
Built in 1927, the renowned Tulsa Club Building at 5th and Cincinnati spent decades as THE place for Tulsa’s wealthy oil executives to wine, dine, and entertain their guests and clients. Developer Josh Barrett bought the property in 2013. For the past year, Barrett has been planning extensive renovation, remodeling, and restoration work in the building which will begin in the summer of 2014. The new and improved Tulsa Club will be a mixed-use commercial and residential property of the sort that young Tulsa professionals have been clamoring for.
In the boom years, the social highlight for many Tulsa families was getting dressed up and visiting Vandever’s Department Store at 16 E. Fifth Street. The Vandever building’s ornate red brickwork and intricate windows are fine examples of classic art deco design, and this is what attracted Macy Snyder Amatucci of Brickhugger, LLC to acquire the site. Renovations are underway to completely remodel the interior of the building and to update its electric, plumbing, and T-1 infrastructure. The revitalized Vandever building will be home to 40 residential lofts.
For those who prefer ultra-modern design, there has also been a massive spike in new residential development in downtown Tulsa. 100 Boulder, a cutting-edge 18-unit luxury condominium development between First and Second Streets, will feature wall-to-ceiling glass windows, hardwood floors, washer/dryers, and stunning views of the Deco District. Geared toward young professionals working in the neighborhood, many of the units have already been sold.
These and many more projects are currently underway in downtown Tulsa. Check out HBW for more information on these developments and construction job leads for similar projects in the Tulsa area. Business is booming and the opportunities abound.
