Edge: A Closer Look
So now we know – Gary Brooks and Mike Henderson will be the next to take a shot a developing the highly coveted, but elusive Mercy site in MidTown. Time to step back and take a full view of it all. First, let’s take a look at initial renderings.
Now this is where things get interesting. After hearing initial critiques from Urban Renewal Commissioners and seeing proposals by competitors, Gary Brooks did what he needed to do to win the deal. He removed the “carriage” entry (similar to the one at Legacy) from the Walker side of the complex, moved the leasing office and club house to the front along Walker, and changed the ground floor apartments along Walker to retail.
So we go from this facade facing Walker…
Original Edge facade facing Walker Avenue
To this one (don’t get too caught up in the difference in rendering quality):
Revised Walker Avenue facade for the Edge
There were also concerns about the appearance of the garage facing Dewey Avenue, across from the Unitarian Church and Villa Theresa school. This was the original design:
Original Dewey garage facade.
And this is the revised rendering:
Still a garage, but with balconies and windows added to give the appearance of apartments.
Thoughts?
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Comments
Thoughts, huh? Well, I’m going to reserve judgement until I see the completed project. But I’m skeptical.
What I would have liked to read in your article in The Oklahoman is a report of someone on the OCURA board actually commenting on their vote, with reference to their disappointment with The Legacy, and their expectation that things will be very different with this project. I know they probably want to start on a positive note with the developer, but surely they know how much this construction is going to be scrutinized.
Steve, your article says Brooks “had spent considerable time the past two weeks answering questions submitted by Urban Renewal staff.”
Do you have access to that paper trail? Do we know what the OCURA asked, and how Brooks answered?
Thanks, as always, for covering and loving this city.
My own impression is that the ‘before’ designs are preferable to the ‘after’ designs, at least based on what I see here.
“The Edge” of Disappointment!
Not necessarily this project but the track record of this developer, with lengthy delays and completely changing the Legacy.
When can we expect to see the famous Revised and “oops we have to scale back this project” renderings?
Hopefully soon, I can’t wait!
I don’t remember the original Legacy designs so can someone post them so I can have something to place with all the negative comments?
It seems the second batch of renderings is something I like better from an urban design point, in comparison to the originals. They have added retail along Walker, it has the highest density of residential units at 250, the garage facade is meticulously integrated into the development, and I love love love that the facade seems to be mostly brick.
Some of you that are comparing THESE RENDERINGS to the Legacy product is laughable. The Legacy doesn’t even have brick above it’s first level, it has no architectural style. These renderings depict something of far higher standards.
Now, I do concede that everyone has the right to be suspicious that the actualy development won’t hold up to the renderings; which I hope isn’t a repeat of the Legacy.
For the “Disappointment” naysayers what is your plan. Unless you have a better plan blasting the proposal is not the intelligent approach. The proper way is to put forth your plan while commenting upon the proposal. Unless you have a plan of your own complaining about the current proposal is really low brow behavior and not helpful.
My plan was for them to select Marva Ellard or Chuck Wiggins instead of Brooks/Henderson. The reason we are comparing the renderings to the Legacy is because the Legacy product didn’t approach its renderings. Since the developer is the same, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to question whether the same bait and switch scheme will be employed.
If it turns out like the 4th image down, right after the site plan, that would be nice. There is depth to it and the projections won’t be cheap. But I question that $30 million will be able to produce much more than a flat facade, especially after you consider the parking garage and the fact that it is 5 stories tall.
Are those going to be useful balconies and windows projecting off the garage? If not, it is totally lame and a complete waste of money. If it is a garage, make it look like a garage. It will be value engineered out anyway, I will put money on that.
What other projects has Brooks/Henderson developed?
Please tell me that they have more developments than “Their Legacy”?
Matt, the 4th image down was changed to the one immediately below it, so as to include a little over 8,000 square feet of retail space.
The fact that the ‘Makers” of the The Legacy were chosen for something so close to Heritage Hills is a disappointment. There were others that had better plans. My hope, and I mean HOPE, is that this will improve the area, not clutter it. Hopefully the area will become more a hub once again. I also hope that this does not drive folks away from the Heritage Hills area. I am one that remembers it when it was not at its best. And actually that was not that long ago. Let us all HOPE for the best.
like many others here, I too was disappointed in the results of the Legacy, and therefore surprised in selection of the same developer for this new and somewhat high-profile project. I think the “nay-saysers” are justifiably concerned about a repeat, despite verbal reassurances from the developer. Words can only go so far.
The problem with Legacy is clearly a quality issue – probably due to various aspects getting scaled back during construction.
To avoid a repeat, will require sufficient city oversight through ALL phases of the build, to ensure that the end-product matches the approved proposal.
Mike N., you’ve pretty much written a negative comment here, which is ironic if it’s just the negativity that you’re so annoyed by. The simple fact is that Mike Henderson has a bit of a “legacy” (you could say) around here, and it isn’t a good thing. How is this not relevant, and how are we not supposed to complain when we don’t like what we see? That’s called democracy.
Cheers from Prague,
NR
(COMMENT EDITED TO KEEP CONVERSATION CIVIL. NO SUBSTANCE TAKEN OUT OF POST. NICK, EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. BEST REGARDS – STEVE)
Correction to pictures posted … The watercolor rendering you have titled “original Edge facade facing Walker” is actually the 13th street elevation.
Kathy, I was taking the titles from the original jpeg names. Can you send me the original rendering for Walker?
We are older adults who live in Heritage Hills and within a couple of years will want to live on one floor. We hope the Edge will offer us a place with character, storage, and a fitness center that is in the approximate area of where we now live and the neighborhood we enjoy so much.
Disappointed.