Flurry of construction at Classen Curve to fulfill late energy tycoon’s vision – Oklahoman.com

A boutique hotel, ritzy townhouses and 326 upscale apartments are being built on the last undeveloped tracts of Classen Curve, fulfilling the vision of its founder, the late Aubrey McClendon.

All three projects started over the past few months, defying an economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Once completed, residents and guests will be in walking distance of the citys only Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, more than 15 restaurants, and an array of retail, salons and fitness centers.

Ryan Slater, developer of the $30 million Ellison, began planning for the hotel after buying the property at 6201 N Western five years ago. Construction started in March just as the pandemic began hitting Oklahoma.

We certainly lucked out having financing in place for our project and that it will be a nice size hotel, said Slater, managing partner of Plains Management Group. The apartments were another piece in the original plans and were all happy to be starting at the same time.

The Ellison is named after legendary Oklahoma author Ralph Ellison, and is designed to introduce visitors to the artistic side of Oklahoma by creating partnerships with local galleries, artists, creative programming, and events. The efforts are being coordinated with the non-profit Ralph Ellison Foundation.

The hotel is furthest along among the three developments with the steel structure topping three stories and completion set for late 2021. When completed, the six-story hotel will span 75,000 square feet with 120 guest rooms, a restaurant to be operated by restaurateurs Chris Lower and Joseph Royer, a rooftop swimming pool and bar, and 7,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom and library lounge.

Foundation work is underway on the remainder of the block between Grand Boulevard and Western Avenue where The Residences at Classen Curve is being built.

The five-story apartments are being promoted as an upscale development featuring resort-style amenities including multiple private outdoor courtyards, a heated pool, fitness center, club room, library, outdoor dog run, modern package facilities, and bicycle storage to take advantage of adjacency to the Lake Hefner bike trail.

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Flurry of construction at Classen Curve to fulfill late energy tycoon's vision - Oklahoman.com