Comments on: What’s Next at First National?

By: Nick Roberts

Nick Roberts — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 02:35:36 +0000

I forgot to mention how the office market sort of has its hands full downtown, at the moment. Attached parking (the Main Street Garage, right behind the FNC) is another huge advantage to this site.

By: Nick Roberts

Nick Roberts — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 02:34:18 +0000

I don’t think this property has any business being office. There is no market for that, especially for Class B/C/whatever office space downtown. Sure, you could do a complete rehab and turn it into Class A space and be able to make it very competitive, but you may as well explore other more interested uses if you’re going to do that.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:30:35 +0000

But they’ve got to put capital in it Steve, MAJOR capital. Throwing a couple of million at the FNB building then congratulating yourself on how \much\ you did was very disingenous on the part of Milbank. The next owners are really going to need to invest to stabilize this property.

By: slackmeyer

slackmeyer — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:29:19 +0000

Tom, I’ve heard that discussed before. John, the city won’t let First National go dark after seeing how much that complicated bringing the Skirvin back to life. And there are now people based here in OKC who are eager to do some wonderful things with First National if they can get control.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:56:33 +0000

How about a terrific restaurant in the former vault downstairs?

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:37:19 +0000

All kidding aside, wouldn’t it be wonderful to see someone come in and renovate 15-20 floors into another fine hotel downtown. I recently stayed in a Hampton Inn (of all places) in downtown Baltimore, which this was done in the old UFS&G Bank Building there. The FNB Grand Hall could be a wonderful lobby area with the arcade remaining as a traditional sales area. Some of the office space could still remain in the tower/center as a true mixed-use for a majestic icon downtown. Marriott are you listening?

By: Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 05:42:44 +0000

In all reality, First National is the finest piece of architecture in Oklahoma City.

By: Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 05:37:24 +0000

If they tore it down it would improve sight lines to the SandRidge tower.

By: John

John — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 03:33:14 +0000

I don’t think there’s any chance it will go dark. The management just put in a serious bid to get my employer to move there. My employer is rather large and is contemplating the move.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:52:31 +0000

I should have said never had a chance of making it work. They seemed pretty bush-league all the way around.