50 Penn Place: Downtown Oklahoma City's Mixed-Use Tower and What It Means for Visitors

50 Penn Place is a 45-story mixed-use tower completed in 1992 in the Bricktown/downtown corridor of Oklahoma City. This guide explains the building's role in the city's lodging and commercial landscape, who should consider staying nearby, and what the surrounding blocks offer visitors who base themselves in this district.

The Building and Its Current Function

50 Penn Place stands at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Reno Avenue in downtown Oklahoma City. The tower contains office space, residential units, and ground-floor retail. It is not primarily a hotel; the building does not operate as a guest accommodation facility. Visitors often search for "50 Penn Place" expecting lodging options, but the structure itself does not rent rooms to overnight guests.

The tower is significant to Oklahoma City's downtown recovery because it anchors a mixed-use district where residential and office tenants create foot traffic that supports restaurants and shops on the street level. The building's presence reflects the late-1980s and early-1990s development push in downtown Oklahoma City, when the city invested in vertical mixed-use projects to reverse suburban flight.

Why Visitors Look for 50 Penn Place

The search for "50 Penn Place Oklahoma City" typically stems from three scenarios:

Confusion about lodging: travelers assume a prominent downtown address houses a hotel. The confusion is understandable because Oklahoma City's downtown district does contain several hotels, including the Colcord Hotel (a historic 1911 property with modern restoration), the Hilton Oklahoma City, and the Courtyard by Marriott Oklahoma City Downtown. None of these are 50 Penn Place.

Business traveler location reference: people meeting colleagues or clients at offices within 50 Penn Place look for nearby accommodations. The tower's Penn Avenue location places visitors within walking distance (roughly 0.3 to 0.5 miles) of downtown hotels, restaurants in Bricktown (two blocks south), and the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Architectural or real estate interest: the building itself interests some visitors who track Oklahoma City's downtown architecture. The tower is visible from many downtown vantage points and represents the city's commercial-core development.

Neighborhood Context for Visitors

Staying near 50 Penn Place means basing yourself in downtown Oklahoma City proper, not in Bricktown or Midtown. This matters because each district has distinct character and amenities.

Downtown core (50 Penn Place vicinity): this area is primarily office and residential. Daytime activity is strong; evening activity depends on special events or dining reservations. The Myriad Botanical Gardens, a 15.3-acre public garden completed in 2010, is the primary free attraction within walking distance. Admission to the gardens is free; the Myriad conservatory has separate admission (typically $10 to $12, though this should be confirmed directly before visiting). Street-level retail near 50 Penn Place is spotty; some blocks have active storefronts, others are dominated by office lobbies.

Bricktown (south, 0.3 to 0.5 miles from 50 Penn Place): this former warehouse district has the highest concentration of restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. The Bricktown Canal runs through the neighborhood, and water taxis offer short scenic rides (fare typically $3 to $5 per trip). Bricktown is more walkable and livelier after 5 p.m. than the downtown core, though the distance from 50 Penn Place is not trivial for someone who does not want to walk after dark.

Midtown (Automobile Alley and Paseo Arts District, north and west): roughly 0.8 to 1.5 miles from 50 Penn Place. This neighborhood has galleries, boutique shops, and casual restaurants. It requires a short drive or longer walk from downtown.

Hotel Options if Your Meeting Is at 50 Penn Place

If your work takes you to 50 Penn Place and you need a nearby hotel, the Colcord Hotel (1 Park Avenue) is the closest significant option at approximately 0.25 miles west. The Colcord is a historic property with upscale positioning and typically higher nightly rates than mid-range chains.

The Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown (405 W. Reno Avenue) is approximately 0.4 miles south and offers mid-range pricing and more standardized service.

The Courtyard by Marriott Oklahoma City Downtown (405 N. Robinson Avenue) is also roughly 0.4 miles from 50 Penn Place and appeals to business travelers who prioritize proximity to downtown offices and consistency in room standards.

For economy lodging, visitors sometimes stay in Bricktown (at properties like the Residence Inn or extended-stay options) and drive to meetings at 50 Penn Place, accepting a short drive for lower nightly rates.

Practical Takeaway

50 Penn Place is not a lodging destination itself but a downtown address that signals your meeting, office visit, or interest is in Oklahoma City's urban core. If you must stay nearby, the Colcord Hotel is closest; if you want more restaurant and evening activity, base yourself in Bricktown and drive or take a short rideshare to your appointment. The downtown core near 50 Penn Place is functional during business hours but quieter than Bricktown or Midtown in the evenings, so pair your downtown meeting with dinner or activity elsewhere unless your schedule is tightly constrained to office blocks.