When Tulsa residents think about architecture they think about the art deco buildings downtown. These buildings have been documented well and many of them are well taken care of by their owners.
Just south of downtown are several modern buildings that are interesting either visually or historically. I went past several during a noon run last week.
First up is the Abundunt Life Building on South Boulder. It was built in 1957 by the Oral Roberts Ministries who occupied it until they moved to south Tulsa. There are all sorts of wild stories about the building during the Oral Roberts ownership. Since I don’t repeat rumors, you will have to read them yourself here. The building has been empty since the 1980’s. The city is after the present owner to bring into compliance with code.
Above is the “new” Mapco Building, below is the “old” Mapco building. Mapco was a natural gas liquid pipeline company that was purchased by Williams in 1997. I tried to do some research on the internet but was not able to find out when the buildings were built or who architect were.
The new building is very bold in design, but cool and corporate. The old building is warmer and humane but has two interesting features to me. One is the large flag that always flies over the building . The building overlooks Veteran’s Park which is the prime fireworks viewing spots on July 4. The flag always looks great with the fireworks.
The second feature is the cool little individual shades over the windows. It makes for interesting shadows during certain times of the day.
The new building has shades over the windows also. It can get hot in Oklahoma in the summer.
Below is an apartment building on my running route. I guess that you could call this modern in design. It looks better in the picture than it does in real life. It looks like it is made of reinforced concrete. It might stand up well in a tornado. Note the overhands at each level which could function to shade the windows.
Below is a more attractive modern apartment building. It is a Tulsa landmark and overlooks the river.
Below is the former Getty Oil building. This building has really grown on my over the years. The exterior lookss like it is a lattice. I never really noticed it before.
Below is the Blue Cross Blue Shield building. Again, it has overhangs that can shade the windows during the heat of the day.
That’s about it. What struck me about researching the more modern buildings compared to older buildings is the paucity of information about architects, builders, etc. Just like everything else we won’t appreciate many modern buildings until after they are are gone.
ModernTulsa is a web site and blog that is very useful in learning about modern buildings.
Check out My World for more photographs of our world, from all ove.
the oral roberts building is interesting in it has kind of a retro feel to it…i like the texture. i can imagine it must have looked neat when lit up at night 🙂
what is it they say if you wait long enough things come back in style again. perhaps it has come into style again 🙂
enjoy your blog.
You must have a long run since those buildings don’t seem close to one another. Shaded windows seems to be a common theme.
Really terrific shots and very interesting buildings! Being from Texas originally, I appreciate the shaded windows that seem so common in most of them. You did have quite a run! Thanks for sharing a slice of your world. Have a great weekend.
@Martha Z – I ran about 4 miles that day but the buildings pictured are all within a half mile of each other.
Hi Yogi – Four miles is about my running distance, too! Nice architectural shots. That Oral Roberts building looks as though it has no windows!(Top secret?)
Thanks for showing us Tulsa. I always planned on going to Oklahoma when I lived in Texas but sadly I didn’t make it. I’m sure I will someday.
Yogi, thanks for introducing me to Tulsa. Some of your photos remind me of a building I used to work in. I learned that there’s a style of architecture called brutalist. As you might guess from the name, calling it a style is giving it the benefit of every doubt.
My heart is with the Art Deco, but your town sure had a flare for the original on the modern side of life!
The oral roberts building definitely looks retro. I like the “new” Mapco building best. Thanks for sharing your city’s interesting architecture.
It’s a wonderful world you live in, thanks for sharing.
@Wren – Brutalism architecture is very controversial these days. The Modern fans love it. Everybody else, especially those who have to live it hate it.
@Sandy Carlson – My preference is for art deco also but I’m trying to learn more about modern, especially that 50’s and 60’s. Some of the materials and colors are interesting. Any maybe its just me, because I don’t know anything about it, but I can see how art deco morphed into some of what is called “mid century modern.”
Very interesting buildings with modern architectural designs. Sometimes I do like the older buildings due to sentimental values especially buildings where I spend my childhood in.
Such a range of styles. I’m more pure art deco and like most not much for brutalism having see the effects in the UK, but it is frustating when little info is gleaned about what’s still around us. Interesting take on the the theme.
Nice to see some of the more modern buildings in your town.