Williams bought the property in early 2020 and planned to raze the building to construct housing. But after learning of its history, he pivoted and sought to pay appropriate homage.

Williams plans to preserve most of the original steel structure, including areas where artists left their signatures, Freese said.

“Some of the shapes and forms are based on simple, older industrial buildings, with the raised, clear-story spine that allows natural light in and natural ventilation out,” he said. “The materials are very elemental, corrugated metal siding, metal windows, very simple shaped, deep canopies in the right places to provide coverage and solar shading.

“”In general, we were trying to capture that essence, that feeling of older, industrial buildings that have never lost their charm.”

The design will have east-west sections, with the longer east portion featuring a pitched roof and clear-story spine. The building also will include a themed restaurant, music-bar venue, retail space and a third-floor rooftop bar.

Located in a tax-advantaged Opportunity Zone, The Bridge alludes to the link it hopes to provide between the Cherry Street and Pearl District neighborhoods.

“Brian designed this building as a one-stop, date-night destination,” Williams said in a statement. “It’s a place where people can have dinner, take in some music and finish the night with a cocktail over-looking the Tulsa skyline, all with one Uber ride.”