University Towers

[Joey]

Doesn't University Tower hold some significance like being the first "skyscraper" to be designed completely on a computer?

BTW, it is looking old and needs face lift badly!

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Joey

Doesn't University Tower hold some significance like being the first "skyscraper" to be designed completely on a computer?

Never head that one before, but it is quite possible.  It was built in the early/mid-1960s.  I thought it was cool then, and I still think it is a cool, neat-o, groovy building today.  I looked into moving there back around 1977, but it was a little out of my price range at the time.  I moved to the 19th floor of Liberty Towers instead, with a view of University Club from my balcony.

Along these same lines, isn't there another city in the U.S., possibly in Texas, that has or had a "twin" of the University Club apartments, a duplicate apartment building built to the exact same plans?  I have heard that in the past.

[restored2x]

Is University Tower that round, Jetsons-looking building?

[breitee]

That's the one!

[Conan71]

There is a similar round tower in NW Oklahoma City, the name is escaping me at the moment, but it's out by Integris Baptist Hospital.

[YoungTulsan]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

quote:Originally posted by Joey

Doesn't University Tower hold some significance like being the first "skyscraper" to be designed completely on a computer?

Never head that one before, but it is quite possible.  It was built in the early/mid-1960s.  I thought it was cool then, and I still think it is a cool, neat-o, groovy building today.  I looked into moving there back around 1977, but it was a little out of my price range at the time.  I moved to the 19th floor of Liberty Towers instead, with a view of University Club from my balcony.

Along these same lines, isn't there another city in the U.S., possibly in Texas, that has or had a "twin" of the University Club apartments, a duplicate apartment building built to the exact same plans?  I have heard that in the past.

I find that very interesting, because today (it seems) the University Club is pretty middle class, whereas Liberty Towers is more upscale.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by YoungTulsan

quote:Originally posted by Steve

quote:Originally posted by Joey

Doesn't University Tower hold some significance like being the first "skyscraper" to be designed completely on a computer?

Never head that one before, but it is quite possible.  It was built in the early/mid-1960s.  I thought it was cool then, and I still think it is a cool, neat-o, groovy building today.  I looked into moving there back around 1977, but it was a little out of my price range at the time.  I moved to the 19th floor of Liberty Towers instead, with a view of University Club from my balcony.

Along these same lines, isn't there another city in the U.S., possibly in Texas, that has or had a "twin" of the University Club apartments, a duplicate apartment building built to the exact same plans?  I have heard that in the past.

I find that very interesting, because today (it seems) the University Club is pretty middle class, whereas Liberty Towers is more upscale.

Today, and to the best of my knowledge, University Club is still rental apartments, while Liberty Tower "went condo" back in the late 1980s.  At the time I lived at Liberty Tower (unit 19B) around 1977-1979, it was all still rental apartments, and not one bit classier than University Club.  In fact at that time, University Club apartments rented for more than Liberty, which is why I "settled" for Liberty.  I really wanted to live in the modern University Club, but the price difference was significant enough that I settled for Liberty Tower.

Today, the lobby and 7th floor club rooms of Liberty Tower have been completely redone and remodeled to higher standards, and they may try to project a more upscale ambience, but I still think that University Club is a much more way-cool building, just from an architectural standpoint.  Liberty Tower is just another generic, high-rise condominium IMO, while University Club is a unique mid-twentieth century apartment house and an asset to the Tulsa skyline.  All my own opinion, of course.

[Joey]

It reminds me of the Capital Records Building.

[jackbristow]

It definitely needs a facelift though.  That olive green / dirty yellow color of the pannels is just gross looking.  If they replaced those with something shiny and metallic, I think the building would rock.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by jackbristow

It definitely needs a facelift though.  That olive green / dirty yellow color of the pannels is just gross looking.  If they replaced those with something shiny and metallic, I think the building would rock.

Maintenance is one thing, remodeling is another.  I haven't seen University Club recently, so perhaps it does need an intensive outside cleaning.  The tennants should raise their voices in this matter.  I remember the outside panels as being yellow and turquoise blue; perhaps pollution and dirt has turned the turquoise to a green shade.  

I do think they should keep the exterior of the building as close to the original as possible.  I think it is a real gem as is, dirty or not, and they should preserve the original 1960s facade as much as possible.  But that doesn't excuse any lack of exterior cleaning and maintenance, of course.

[restored2x]

That building looks like it should be situated at 81st and Lewis - would fit in perfectly with the ORU stuff. I wonder which was built first? The ORU buildings or the Jetsons building.

Anybody know?

It would be interesting because the Oral Roberts building was a block or two away (in the 60's - building still there, but unoccupied) from where the University Towers is - did the building of this tower influence decisions on architecture (sp) at ORU - or vice-versa - or same architect?

[BixB]

For years my children and I have joked about how the University Club tower is actually a giant rocket ship that was designed to blast off and save its inhabitants in case of nuclear holocaust. We love that building.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by restored2x

That building looks like it should be situated at 81st and Lewis - would fit in perfectly with the ORU stuff. I wonder which was built first? The ORU buildings or the Jetsons building.

Anybody know?

It would be interesting because the Oral Roberts building was a block or two away (in the 60's - building still there, but unoccupied) from where the University Towers is - did the building of this tower influence decisions on architecture (sp) at ORU - or vice-versa - or same architect?

Seems like I read or heard somewhere that ORU's original plan was to build its campus where Mansion House and University Club Tower are now, close to the Abundant Life Building. Then someone donated land down south.

My first job was with a company that had its offices on the 30th floor. What a great vantage point. Spoiled me for life.

[Lister]

University Club Tower is a real gem on the Tulsa skyline. It's almost like a "signature" skyscraper that uniquely identifies Tulsa. A good exterior maintenance/cleaning/upgrade without changing the original look would be great and I would think that it has to be in the works at some point in the future.

[Chris]

I've also heard that it was the first skyscraper totally designed on a computer.