Developer continues theme with ‘Big House’ concept
Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings is used to going big — big industrial warehouses, big deals, sometimes big chances on unlikely locales, and now Big Houses.
Three years after negotiating with neighbors and city officials to do something big with the old John Marshall High School site, the developer is unveiling J Marshall Square, a first-of-its-kindhere apartment complex at 9017 N University Ave.
What makes it different is the “Big House” concept, a specialty of Dallas-based Humphreys & Partners Architects.
CEO Richard Tanenbaum toured two Big House projects in Dallas and one in Tulsa before deciding it would be a good fit for the former high school site, surrounded by a residential neighborhood, southwest of Britton Road and Western Avenue.
Tanenbaum chose the concept after neighbors objected to his original plan for traditional, threestory apartment buildings at a higher density.
He’s banking on this locale, buried in a long-established neighborhood off main thoroughfares, being a plus.
The quietness of the area confirmed Glenda and Eren Pierce’s decision to move north from downtown, and that’s after accounting for the noise of construction, which continues for 75 percent of J Marshall Square. Tanenbaum said the construction labor shortage has the project about six months behind.
Glenda Pierce said she and her husband lived for a year in another Gardner Tanenbaum property, Park Harvey Apartments, the former office tower at 200 N Harvey Ave. She is in sales and marketing for ServiceMaster Restoration, and he is a home inspector while studying aeronautical engineering full time at Oklahoma State University.
She said they were drawn by the parking — each apartment at J Marshall Square has a two-car garage, attached, like a house, Park Harvey has none — and community amenities, as well as its design and quality of construction.
And Howard, their English bulldog, loves to sun on the patio and romp in the “bark park” reserved for canines.
Four of the Big Houses at J Marshall Square, which is gated, are complete, residents are moving in and pre-leasing continues for the remainder, which should be complete by fall, said Cindy Murillo, vice president of multifamily for Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings.
Murillo said J Marshall Square is a standout even at a time when apartment complexes seem to be popping up all over.
“The Big House concept is basically different than any other apartment community — garden style or townhome,” she said. “It incorporates the feeling of a home ... a two-car garage per home, and many features of a home that you would experience in a gated community.
“Each building does look like a house, and you have the look and feel of a residential community, but it is a rent community. Every home includes granite, 9-foot ceilings, a full appliance package, LED fireplace. Amenities include a ‘bark park’ — it’s in the shape of a bone. We have full recreational activities for your dog, your furry friends. We also have a 24-hour fitness center and cardio theater (for humans).”