About Tulsa's Downtown

Downtown Tulsa has once again become a magnet for development and living. Now that urban lifestyle has become more accessible, many newcomers are finding their way to downtown Tulsa.

All through downtown Tulsa, a chain reaction has been ignited. You can see various stages of construction along 18^th and Boston, Cherry Street and Brookside.

The loft industry has finally made its way to Tulsa. This is a booming market in Dallas, Kansas City and other cities like them. You can now find two- and three-story loft-style condos and townhomes all around downtown Tulsa.

Developers are claiming land around Tulsa as fast as they can. Some current projects include the 18^th Boston Lofts, the Lofts at Cherry Street, the Mayo Hotel Lofts, the First Street Lofts and Metro Lofts. Many developers have both finished lofts and other projects they are working on. The Philtower Loft and Downtown's Tribune Lofts are ready for rent.

Now, because of several brave developers, Tulsa is a great place for residents to live, work and play. The BOK Center and downtown ballpark are great examples of groups who are willing to take the plunge and add great developments to Tulsa. It's looking like the City of Tulsa is serious about making a wonderful and livable downtown environment.

The Revitalization of Downtown Tulsa - next, the parking meters

Although I live on the outskirts of downtown Tulsa, I venture downtown seldom other than to get my hair and nails done at The Salon at Philtower - a business I highly recommend. Owner of the salon, Amanda, has parking spaces available at 5th & Cincinnati for customers, but the last time I was there, no spaces were available and I had to park (parallel park, no less) on the street.

I’m actually SKILLED at parallel parking, but was totally bewildered when I could find no parking meter in which to insert my quarters. I was parked at 5th & Boston and finally discovered a central parking meter in the middle of the block. Once I discovered that, I had to return to my auto to determine in which numbered spot I was parked - then returned to plug the community meter. Nobody wants to pay for a parking ticket, after all!

Today I ran downtown on an errand and noticed individual parking meters on Cincinnati, but observed that those on Boston had been converted to the community versus individual meters.

I couldn’t be more pleased about the promising progress of Tulsa’s downtown revitalization efforts. I’m sure there will be a day when our Goddaughter pulls up old blog posts I’ve written, takes a look at the old, individual meters and asks, “what were they thinking?”

The Revitalization of Downtown Tulsa - next, the parking meters

I’ve ALWAYS loved downtown Tulsa and remember the days when it was full of hustle and bustle. As suburbs became more popular and the public was confused shopping downtown due to the one-way streets and street parking, our beloved downtown businesses struggled.

We’re getting back to the days of the hustle and bustle, one parking meter at a time.

In fact, my first job out of college was at the Atlas Life Building at 4th & Boston - we use to park in a lot at 2nd & Boulder and take a trolley to work - a great time to chat with co-workers and get prepared for the grinding day. They’re bringing the trolleys back also.

Lori is a residential Realtor serving the greater Tulsa area, and specializing in midtown Tulsa real estate. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

The Salon at Philtower: Amanda and Ashley style the new within heritage of the old

What better place for my friends Amanda Woolman Burn and Ashley Thompson to open their new salon, but in the lobby of the grand Philtower building - actually in the same corner where a “Barber Shop” existed for many years.

Amanda is a nail technician, offering manicures and pedicures; Ashley is a hair stylist. The two have worked together in various shops over the years, but finally ventured out on their own in one of Tulsa’s finest and most renowned examples of architecture.

Of course, their salon is called quite simply, “The Salon at Philtower.”

Amanda and Ashley's patrons will follow wherever they go, and for some, navigating the one-way streets and downtown parking has been a challenge. But, once you enter the lobby of the magnificent Philtower building, it absolutely takes your breath away.

Built in 1927, the Philtower Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, represents the late Gothic Revival style embellished with Art Deco details. Located on Boston Avenue, Tulsa’s premiere architectural corridor, it was conceived of as the link between the then-proposed Union Train Station to the north and the soaring Boston Avenue Methodist Church to the south. Features in this amazing 24-story building include marble travertine, brass, mahogany walls and fabulous chandeliers.

The building included on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Salon at Philtower: Amanda and Ashley style the new within heritage of the old

Downtown Tulsa seems poised to undergo a renaissance of sorts, a return of the relevance that characterized it in the heady days of the Oil Boom and the decades that followed. Recently downtown has seen a revitalization of the Brady Arts District and the passage of a proposal to build a world-class arena, among other exciting developments. The Philtower converted floors 12-20 to private luxury residences, creating Tulsa’s first ever mixed-use high rise.

I can’t write about Tulsa architecture without mentioning local artist, Celeste Vaught, who is on

a journey of painting Tulsa architecture in her new Series, Tulsa, Brick x Brick. Celeste has painted the entrance of the Philtower Building, included in this post. Celeste’s paintings highlight the heritage of Tulsa Architecture and can be found on her web site.

If you’re looking for a great hair cut and style, manicured fingers and toes and a huge piece of Tulsa’s rich history, look no further than the Salon at Philbrook. Call for an appointment: 918-808-0943 or friend Amanda on Facebook.

Lori is a residential Realtor serving the greater Tulsa area, and specializing in midtown Tulsa real estate. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.