Original colored rendering, Joseph F. Koberling.

The Tulsa Boys Home

buildings - located at 8th St. and Rockford Ave - were constructed in phases between 1949 - 1963, and designed by local Tulsa architect Joseph F. Koberling. After the Tulsa Boys Home relocated to Sand Springs, Oklahoma in 1979, the buildings were home to several different non-profit organizations, and became locally known as the Laura Dester Site before becoming vacant in 2012. During their vacancy, the buildings fell victim to vandalism and fire. The Tulsa Development Authority acquired the property under a plan for future flood detention efforts. However, growing issues with property maintenance led the TDA to seek private redevelopment of the site (with the exception of the section of property still reserved for future flood detention).

A local developer approached Method to come up with a redevelopment plan that would rehabilitate the existing buildings and provide much needed workforce apartment housing in the area. This project perfectly combined our passion for Tulsa, vision for community oriented housing, and experience with historic preservation. We are currently working in collaboration with Rosin Preservation towards getting the Tulsa Boys Home site listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Our plan consists of converting all 5 buildings into community oriented, pet-friendly studio apartments, with a private park located in the center. A future phase planned for the site includes an 18,000SF mixed-use office and retail building, and 18,000SF of residential townhomes.