The District@222

The Broken Arrow Rose District

When civic leaders of Broken Arrow rezoned a portion of the city’s historic downtown into an arts and entertainment district, revitalization blossomed. However, despite the influx of new businesses and visitors, The Rose District in its early days lacked a residential aspect and any type of night scene to attract young adults and keep the district’s allure alive after five.

Narrate Design designed a new mixed-use building that was the first to integrate residential units into The Rose District. The project aimed to attract a combination of young professionals and empty nesters.

This “first” for downtown Broken Arrow presented several challenges. The City enforces strict guidelines for how developments respect its downtown area, which is older than the State of Oklahoma. Working with the project’s developer, Ross Construction Group, our team built upon our positive, collaborative relationship with the City to successfully navigate building codes. Moreover, we embraced the City’s wisdom to restore The Rose District’s vitality rather than simply replacing it.

A Respectful, Attractive Balance

A fine balance was required, knowing the new District@222 must feel contemporary and exciting to attract new residents while fully respecting the historic cadence of the Rose District.

To achieve this balance, Narrate turned to traditional materials to make the building a participating and welcoming member of the downtown fabric. Brick masonry helps the four-story structure look at home, shoulder to shoulder, with its elders on a narrow footprint typical of downtown Broken Arrow. Lintels over the windows provide steel accents for a more industrial edge, while larger expanses of glass keep the building open and inviting. And though the structure will be the tallest in the Rose District, its proportions and height lines stay congruent with the existing neighboring buildings. This includes a taller first floor as if a large storefront had once existed below, with a smaller office on the second story.

As the first true mixed-use project in the Rose District, The District@222 furthered the resurgence of what used to be a forgotten part of downtown Broken Arrow.

The Lofts at 222

The Lofts at 222 is The Rose District’s premier housing option! Nestled in the restored District@222 building, the Lofts allow residents to live in the midst of commercial and community hot spots and enjoy the growing urban experience of The Rose District. The 11 units include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options filled with modern amenities.