Who Is Nick Preftakes?
And this is what makes covering Nick fun. He’s not going to give me anything when it comes to figuring out what he’s up to with his big block of property west of the new Devon tower site. If I want the story, I’m going to have to do a lot of work to get it.
So we know he owns some buildings that he certainly won’t tear down, and has indicated as much – the One North Hudson Building was formerly the Black Hotel. Nope, that’s going nowhere. He also likely knows he’ll have a huge fight on his hands if he tries to tear down the neighboring Auto Hotel.
But what about the old Carpenter Sqaure Theater? Or the Lunch Box? He won’t dare upset downtown’s power players by closing the Lunch Box. But would he move the cafeteria and tear down the lovably worn out building?
And would he dare tear down the Union Bus station if he were able to acquire it?
I don’t know. But we do know Nick has done some great historic preservation projects:
1995: Developers Mark Ruffin, left, and Nick Preftakes, Precor Realty Advisors Inc. stand in a loft apartment complex believed to be the first in the city which opened at 113 NW 13 in a former auto dealership garage.
Nick Preftakes and partner Mark Ruffin were pioneers when they were the first to attempt a renovation of an old building to lofts in 1995. The project has been an unqualified success story.
Nick Preftakes has also won praise for the Hudson Essex building at 825 N Broadway
Nick Preftakes found a vintage Hudson-Essex sign to display in the first floor garage of the restored Broadway dealership building.
The former C.R. Anthony's headquarters at 701 was an example of a really bad muck-up of what was once a historic building. Nick Preftakes could have restored the old facade, but instead went for an entirely new, more modern look.
What Nick Preftakes didn't get to build: a drawing of what he proposed several years ago for the former site of Mercy Hospital in MidTown.
The Arts District Lofts LLC, a partnership between Nick Preftakes and Mark Ruffin that bid to develop Urban Renewal property at Robert S. Kerr and Walker, proposed an $11.9 million, 160-loft complex that would mimic the Art Deco style of the nearby Civic Center and Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The project was turned down by Urban Renewal commissioners who cited a lack of density and who instead chose Legacy at Arts Quarter by Mike Henderson.
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Comments
As long as you are introducing him to us can you give us a little guidance on how to pronounce his last name? Thanks.
Jill,
I could not agree more. What a disappointment “The Legacy” is. Mr. Preftakes proposal would have been an awesome addition to the area.
Hey Steve – I’m trying to find out what happened to the Black Hotel? Can you direct me to more info? I’d love to drive up from Texas and see the place again…
Recently, while going through old photos, I found several 1950′s pictures of me and my grandfather having our weekly pancake breakfast in the Black Hotel. It was a grand affair for me…’Poppa’—all 3-piece suited up—would talk to his business cronies at the table, while pouring syrup on my pancakes, then cutting them up for me. I remember cigars too, but it seems hard to imagine they would let these businessmen smoke at the breakfast table. Wait staff always got me what ever I needed – a cherry in my orange juice was the cats’ meow! Mom would dress me up, gloves and all, and I really looked forward to these early ‘dates’ with my Poppa for years. Thanks, BT
So how do we complain in regards to the Union Bus Station staff treating guests horribly?
Does Nick Preftakes have a company of some sorts that deals with all of that?
What company owns the Union Bus Station.
Looking at his plans for what is now occupied by the Legacy Arts Quarter is heartbreaking. Good job, OCURA! That would have looked amazing, and, in 20 years, wouldn’t look like an aging apartment complex, which is what we’ll have to deal with in that space now. Sigh