Saturday, May 10, 2008; Posted: 01:32 PM
A small amount of office space was deemed ideal. But the firm also wanted the flexibility to grow, and quickly if necessary. Nothing less than Class A space, downtown, would suffice.
What the public relations firm was looking for was ideally an old concept -- executive suites that can be rented by the day, week or month. But nothing like that on the desired scale existed in the downtown area.
The recent opening of Executive Suites at 100 Park Ave. met the firm's needs, said Tom Searls, vice president.
"We were looking for some place where there would be room to grow," said Searls, who was hired to oversee Schnake Turnbo Frank's expansion. "So we have two offices now, and it's my goal that maybe someday we can take over all these offices."
Searls said the amenities at Executive Suites, including video conferencing, wireless Internet, personal phone extensions and messaging, a lounge, catering and beverage service, concierge-level support staff and covered parking, match what can be found at the firm's Tulsa headquarters.
Gary Brooks, president of Aduddell Development Group, said his firm decided to create the Executive Suites at the suggestion of Pat Downes, a longtime player in downtown and riverfront development.
Downes suggested the location on the seventh floor of the 100 Park Avenue building was ideally situated within walking distance from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the Skirvin Hilton Hotel, Devon Energy, Bricktown and the Cox Convention Center.
"Executive suites are not a new concept," Brooks said. "But his idea was to turn up the quality with concierge level of service and that interested us. We're real estate developers, and we do that full time ... we embraced this pretty quick. It didn't take much to convince us."
Since opening last month, 11 of the 17 suites have been leased. Tenants include statewide firms looking for a presence in downtown Oklahoma City, city interests seeking a downtown office like the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation and Oklahoma City Events and Entertainment, and out-of-state firms like Denver-based Trailblazer Capital.
"For downtown's office market to thrive, it's essential that market demands are met and services that fit the needs of small and mid-sized businesses are offered," said Brett Hamm, president of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. "Frankly, this is a visionary product that is not unlike the new residential housing developments built in the mid-90's which preceded the boom we see today."
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