The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Historic HQ: KSQ Architects to renovate Gates Hardware building
McNellie's group plans to add sports brewpub
By: Kirby Lee Davis The Journal RecordJanuary 20, 20150
(http://journalrecord.com/files/2015/01/New-Bar_2_RIP-1-21-15.jpg)
The Gates Hardware building in Tulsa’s Greenwood Historic District. (Photo by Rip Stell)
TULSA – KSQ Architects has bought downtown Tulsa’s Gates Hardware building, with plans to renovate the 28,000-square-foot structure for its headquarters.
The $3 million makeover of the 90-year-old Greenwood Historic District building will establish KSQ‘s new office on its second floor. It also will prepare a first-floor slot for a new sports brewpub planned by Tulsa’s McNellie’s Group and Marshall Brewing Co.
That, plus the neighboring Oneok Field, should make the 216 N. Elgin location a lively home for the architectural firm’s 47-member Tulsa staff.
“It’s already been an adventure to redesign this historic space,” said KSQ Principal and President David W. Short. “Every architect wants to design their own office from the inside out, so this suits us well.”
Moving from KSQ’s 10,000-square-foot Beacon Building office should also help recruit personnel to the growing firm, Senior Associate Monica Roberts said.
The company’s Tulsa headquarters serves as a hub for a network of offices ranging from Texas and Colorado to North Carolina and New York. Besides architecture and interior design, the 100-plus employee firm provides programming, planning and engineering services.
“We always want to attract young creative talent,” said Roberts, who directs communication for KSQ. “This location would be ideal for that.”
Tulsa County assessor records indicate that Gates Building LLC paid $850,000 to seller American Residential Group last month for the 0.3-acre building site and a neighboring empty lot of the same size.
KSQ expects Tulsa’s Ross Group Construction to complete the project this fall. Although details remain in flux, KSQ’s renovation should include a new glass front to maximize ballpark views, an overhaul of the building’s concrete and masonry structure and improved parking.
The architectural firm will open with just under 12,000 square feet on the upper floor, Roberts said. That will leave 2,500 square feet of office available to lease, with KSQ reserving the right to reclaim it for future needs.
“It leaves a little room for growth right now,” she said of the planned configuration. “We could probably add another 10 percent to our staff before we would need it.”
The McNellie’s venture, first announced in August, will occupy half of the 14,000-square-foot first floor. Roberts said it should open in about August, with the brewpub partners covering setup costs. The other ground-floor space remains available.
“Probably bars and restaurants would be the ideal tenant,” Roberts said.
 
 

Awesome! Finally some action on properties directly across from Oneok Field. Now if we could get something moving on the SE corner of Archer & Elgin...

I noticed the structure was removed from the lot some time ago.
(https://cbks1.google.com/cbk?output=thumbnail&cb_client=maps_sv&thumb=2&thumbfov=120&ll=36.159000,-95.988445&yaw=152.6&thumbpegman=1&w=300&h=118)

This is great news. Are there any renderings?

Any word on the hotel at Detroit and Archer?

Edit: I don't know how to post it, but there's a rendering at this link. http://www.ksqthegarret.com (http://www.ksqthegarret.com)

Here you go, wonder if they are going to remove or preserve the dia de los meurtos murals on the north wall?

(http://www.ksqthegarret.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Revised_Gates-KSQ-Cam003Night-Panorama8-755x211.jpg)

Man, I'm super excited about this one. This part of downtown is begging to be developed. I'm looking forward to seeing what other new builds this one will help pull into the area.