Modern Tulsa Architecture
Lortondale
Lortondale Subdivision This Tulsa subdivision was built by Howard C. Grubb and designed by Donald H. Honn. From its very start in early 1954, Lortondale was the neighborhood of choice for young architects, college professors, engineers, and other professionals who appreciated the aesthetics of modern design. But after a point, demand dried up and there wasn’t enough local demand to sustain Lortondale construction to the ultimate end. There were 220 homes built, most of which stand today. These homes are becoming more sought after in recent time and once again young architects and others who appreciate modern design are inhabiting the homes ...
Downtown Tulsa
Downtown Tulsa Architecture Downtown Tulsa is in the northwest quadrant of the city and is ringed by an expressway system called the inner dispersal loop. Downtown's buildings include many large office towers. At 667 ft, the BOK Tower (formerly One Williams Center) is the tallest building in any of the 5 "plains states" (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) and was designed in 1975 by Minoru Yamasaki & Associates, the same architect who designed the World Trade Center in New York. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center, occupies a half city block in Tulsa's historical downtown. The PAC is also the ...
Sungate
Sungate Subdivision Sungate Community, a mid-century subdivision on the border of Midtown and South Tulsa (South of 51st, East of Sheridan) and has a very respectable showing of modern homes. A few streets of predominantly moderns exist though the neighborhood is largely comprised traditional ranches with a few moderns here and there. Many are unfortunately not particularly cared for though there seem to be a few of which the owners obviously take pride in. From my experience these seem to be rather affordable homes and are rarely cherished for their design so there may be some deals here if the right one ...
Tulsa Modern Architecture photos
Modern Architecture in Tulsa These are random pictures of modern homes and building I have taken over the past year or so. These are primarily in the Midtown area.
Chase Auto Bank
Chase Auto Bank - Downtown Tulsa This is a very cool Mid Century Modern building in Tulsa. Once a thriving autobank, this building now sits empty on prime real estate. I fear it's future may be unfortunate as businesses develop downtown.
Oral Roberts University - ORU
Oral Roberts University - ORU The ORU campus was built in 1963 with a noted futuristic look and architecture. By 2007 its appearance was described as "a perfect representation of the popular modernistic architecture of the time... the set of the Jetsons" and also "shabby" and "dated, like Disney's Tomorrowland." Most of these structures were designed by Frank Wallace, though Stanfield and Imel had some input I understand. One of the standouts is Howard Auditorium, a geodesic dome used for theatre, movies and seminars. The most famous structure is the Prayer Tower, a 200' tall building inspired by Seattle's Space Needle. It ...
Welcome to Modern Tulsa, a group of Tulsa Architecture enthusiasts, particularly mid century modern. Tulsa has a wonderful collection of buildings and a wide variety of styles from Gothic to Art Deco to modern. Though most notorious for it’s Art Deco, Tulsa also boasts a good number of Modern buildings, including some very unique and interesting modern homes from the mid-century era. This site provides a number of resources including events and news, photos and other architecture related information.
Mission Statement - Modern Tulsa is a volunteer endeavor focused on enhancing the appreciation of Tulsa’s 20th Century Modern Design and Pop-Culture Heritage. Operating as a committee of the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, Modern Tulsa aims to perpetuate Tulsa’s Modern Heritage via promotion, preservation and education.
Please get involved and read our tulsa blog, help us take photos of modern buildings around town and share your knowledge of Tulsa’s modern architecture. We are currently seeking contributing authors and photographers so if you would like to participate by submitting a story please contact us. Otherwise, please stay tuned for more about Tulsa architecture.
