Show summary Hide summary
Downtown Oklahoma City is set to get a new gathering place: a long-vacant 1919 building at Main Street and Walker is being reborn as an all‑day restaurant called Wildcat. Announced in April 2026, the project is notable both for restoring a historic storefront and for its potential to bring more foot traffic and evening activity back to Main Street.
What the plan is
The restaurant group behind the project purchased the property in 2022 and has outlined a concept that shifts with the day — a casual, café-style atmosphere in daylight hours that becomes a cozier supper-club setting after dark. Developers say the menu and programming will nod to local history while borrowing the sensibility of European cafes.
SoonerCare audit sought by Oklahoma AG after concerns over for-profit management
OKC Thunder move to Continental Coliseum: what fans need to know
- Address and age: The building sits at 434 W. Main and was built in 1919; its footprint is about 2,664 square feet.
- Long vacancy: Aside from a short period serving as temporary construction offices, the site has been mostly empty for nearly 20 years.
- Ownership: The project is led by The Social Order, a local hospitality group that bought the property for $725,000 in 2022; CEO Brian Bogert has eyed the building since 2015.
- Design and branding: London-based Allford Hall Monaghan Morris is running the architecture, Modus Construction is the general contractor, Philadelphia’s Rohe Interiors is handling interiors, and Trackmeet is doing branding work.
- Name and concept: Called Wildcat — a reference to Oklahoma’s oil-era risk‑takers — the venue is intended to operate as an all‑day destination, switching tone from daytime cafe to evening saloon.
Why this matters for downtown
Vacant storefronts are a visible barrier to downtown vibrancy. Reusing a century‑old building for hospitality can create steady activity — morning coffee, lunchtime customers, and night crowds — that supports neighboring businesses and improves street life. For residents and regular downtown visitors, that means more options and a stronger sense of place.
Historic rehabilitation also preserves architectural character. The Main and Walker corner is part of a cluster of older commercial buildings; bringing one back into regular use helps maintain the block’s identity rather than replacing it with new construction.
Design, timeline and open questions
The design team has released conceptual renderings showing a lounge area and warm, intimate finishes. Construction is underway in phases, but the developers have not announced a firm opening date. At present, there is no timetable beyond confirmation that work is progressing.
Practical details that remain unclear include final seating capacity, proposed hours of operation, and whether the establishment will host amplified live music or other late-night programming — items that could affect nearby residents and city permitting.
Local context
The Social Order operates several well-known venues in Oklahoma City and has recently taken on additional downtown properties. The Wildcat project is part of a broader push by local restaurateurs and developers to activate Main Street as more than a daytime corridor, aiming for a mix of retail, dining and cultural uses.
The site’s transformation also follows wider efforts by the city to attract private investment into downtown blocks that have underperformed for decades.
Quick facts
- Building year: 1919
- Square footage: 2,664 sq ft
- Purchase: $725,000 (2022)
- Project lead: The Social Order
- Architect: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
For now, residents and downtown regulars should expect a prolonged construction period and public updates as the team finalizes permits and interior work. The lack of an opening date means the project remains a developing story for those tracking Main Street’s revival.
