Welcome
Welcome to the Sophian Plaza Park, located on the east side of the Arkansas river in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our community is one of a kind and unique to the area. Constructed nearly 100 years ago, the Sophian was originally created for the booming oil industry. Its refined historic architecture is still evident today as the building has been well-preserved and updated to the standards of today’s urban native. We are a condominium building and most units are occupied by their owners. In 2011, The Sophian Plaza was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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OUr HistoryThe Sophian has a proud history which began at the end of the 1920’s by Dr. Harry T. Sophian of Kansas City and his brother. The apartment building was a mecca for the affluent and many famous people have passed through its doors during the last century. The Sophian once boasted a restaurant for residents and their guests, a tennis court and delicatessen. Women of leisure frequented the beauty parlor located in the basement while waiting for their apartments to be tidied up by the on property servants available 24 hours a day.
The Sophian rooms came furnished or unfurnished and sometimes were occupied year-round by oil tycoons and their mistresses. The servant’s quarters were located in the basement while the larger units in the building actually had a servant’s room and bath located in each apartment. Dr. Sophian gave great priority to the occupant’s comfort and safety. The building was designed to take advantage of the best possible ventilation and cross breeze by the use of louvered doors and the placement of the foundation diagonally on the lot. This allowed for the best circulation of air during those sultry summer evenings. The advanced architecture provided firewall and soundproofing which allowed each owner a desirable level of safety and discretion. Over the years, this unique residential community has housed some of the most prestigious business leaders and socially prominent families in Tulsa. In the 1960’s the building was purchased by a group of New York investors. Ownership by absentee landlords was not the best decision and resulted in the loss and removal of lovely antiques, oriental rugs, and overall neglect. The building was reverted to local ownership in 1973 and the renovation process began. It was converted to condominium status in 1978 and continues to flourish and grow as one of the most prominent addresses in the downtown Tulsa area. Today, both the original condo owners and new, younger professionals reside at the Sophian. Together, they continue to work in restoring the building to its old world charm and splendor. For those who love communal living, the elegance of spacious rooms and Tulsa history, the Sophian is the place to live. |