The Modern Strip Shopping Center

ABOVE: Modern strip shopping center, Classen Curve, in Oklahoma City

We all know the strip shopping center: a line of storefronts set behind a massive, usually tree-less, parking lot.  Oklahoma City’s newest shopping area, Classen Curve, is not like any strip center you’ve ever seen before – at least not in St. Louis.

• The architecture of the buildings is crisp & modern.
• It is situated on a odd shaped site adjacent to a residential neighborhood.
• Once inside the boundaries you get a sense of place.

ABOVE: Large overhangs protect pedestrian from weather

ABOVE: several buildings feature an outdoor seating area in the center

ABOVE: buildings on both sides of a drive give a sense of enclosure

ABOVE: Vegan & raw lasagna from 105degrees

Classen Curve is on clearly on the high end. I had lunch at 105degrees — a vegan/raw restaurant.  If you are unfamiliar with raw food it is a growing niche market. You are not likely to find such a place in your typical strip mall next door to a Subway.  Classen Curve is located near the City of Nichols Hills, Oklahoma City’s equal to out Ladue (old money).

The developer is not your typical real estate developer, but one of the largest US producers of natural gas, Chesapeake Energy. Chesapeake’s corporate campus is a block away. The campus has changed dramatically since I first saw it in 2003.  With over 1,500 employees on campus there is a built-in market for close shopping and restaurants. Between Chesapeake & Classen Curve construction has begun on Oklahoma City’s first Whole Foods.

ABOVE: site plan from ClassenCurve.com

You can see more on the aerial view in Google Maps.

ABOVE: sidewalk from one building to the next

The attempt was to create a pleasant experience, and to a large degree they succeeded. But despite good intentions they failed to create a good experience for pedestrians.

ABOVE: curb ramps are lacking in many areas

ABOVE: pedestrians on new sidewalk on Classen Blvd don't have access to shopping center, except through auto entry & exit points

Like nearly every strip center built in the last 50 years, Classen Curve fails to make a strong pedestrian connection to the public sidewalk along the adjacent road. In getting from one building to the next you have curb ramps in some places, but not others.

The architect was Elliott & Associates Architects.  I met Rand Elliott in the Fall of 1985 as a freshman in the architecture program at the University of Oklahoma.  I was assigned him on a student + professional project in a 6th grade class. Elliott’s professional portfolio is outstanding which is why the poor walkability/accessibility of Classen Curve is so disappointing.

ABOVE: architecture makes a statement

Care was given to make the back of the buildings attractive, dumpsters are cleverly concealed in steel structures that hold the tenant names.

While I have issues with the poor walkability/accessibility I’m very pleased with the effort to use the small/odd site and to rethink what a strip mall should be like.  I just wish people knew how to make new construction walkable & accessible.

- Steve Patterson