Mixed-use, 20-acre OKC development Oak underway

That will mark 15 years since Ryan McNeill of Veritas Development attempted to purchase the first 1.5 acres of land on the corner but lost out to a higher bidder. Two years later, he tried to buy nine houses west of the first property, but the same bidder purchased those too.

Finally, in February 2016, McNeill bought all 3 acres for $4.1 million. Next he bought the office complex to the south, the Registry office building to the west, then 10 more houses in the neighborhood.

“When I started, I wouldn’t have guessed that we would have been able to get this,” McNeill said. “We just kept hitting singles instead of home runs.”

Oak is named for the mighty tree. The developers describe it as a walkable mixed-use district where more than 2 miles of sidewalks weave together first-to-market retailers, restaurants with rooftop dining, Class A office space, luxury residences, a boutique hotel and a central green space.

McNeill is joined by Everett Dobson and the Dobson family as partners in the multi-phase project.

Vertical construction began early this year on phase one, about 14 acres that will include 140,000 square feet of retail, the 132-room Lively Hotel and 320 luxury multifamily residences.

The neighborhood that lies between Pennsylvania and Villa avenues and from Northwest Expressway to NW 50th Street contained 135 houses with covenants prohibiting commercial use unless at least 60% of the lots’ owners agreed to it.

McNeill said three or four homeowners objected to the plans.

“There weren’t as many as you’d think. We hosted dozens of meetings to communicate and hear from them,” he said. “With the help of some great neighbors who supported the project and saw it as a great amenity, we got the zoning (in 2019).”

Simon Property Group – owner of Penn Square Mall – protested the development, citing traffic concerns. The development site is on the street corner opposite the mall. Simon denied retail competition was the real concern.

Retail commitments at Oak include RH’s Design Gallery, encompassing three levels and featuring a rooftop restaurant and garden, wine bar and in-house interior design firm.

Arhaus, a premium home furnishing brand known for artisan-crafted furniture and decor, will open a 17,000-square-foot space, while upscale steakhouse Capital Grille will open its first location in Oklahoma in a 10,000-square-foot space.

Additional retail announcements are planned for later this spring.

“We’re excited for Oak to begin taking shape and know that the mix of top-tier retailers, restaurants, and now, Lively Hotel, will be a significant draw for new visitors, further enhancing Oklahoma City’s offerings as a destination,” said Zac Craig, president of Visit Oklahoma City.

Lively Hotel is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton upscale hotels. It will feature 132 rooms, a 3,050-square-foot bar and restaurant, an elevated amenity deck with an outdoor bar and pool area, a fitness center and more than 2,600 square feet of meeting space.

At the ground floor, the hotel will feature 13,500 square feet of retail space. Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital is developing Lively Hotel in partnership with Veritas.

The Oak community also will include 320 residences, being developed in partnership with luxury multifamily housing developer Mintwood Real Estate, which promises best-in-class amenities designed for professionals seeking a walkable urban lifestyle.

The building amenities include a fitness center featuring a children’s playroom, private work and conference rooms, an entertainment suite featuring a golf simulator and shared kitchen, a resort-style pool and elevated courtyards.

This story originally ran on the JournalRecord.com