Esplanade By The Lake in Oklahoma City: Lakefront Apartments with Modern Finishes Near Bricktown
Esplanade By The Lake is a mid-rise apartment complex on the north shore of Lake Hefner that combines proximity to one of Oklahoma City's most-visited outdoor spaces with amenities pitched at renters seeking newer construction and water views. The property sits outside the central business district but within walking or short-drive distance of Bricktown's restaurants and entertainment, making it a choice for tenants who prioritize lakefront location over downtown walkability.
What Esplanade By The Lake Actually Is
The complex consists of apartment units ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, built with contemporary interiors that include stainless steel appliances, granite or quartz countertops, and climate-controlled storage. Units face either the lake or landscaped grounds; lake-view units command higher rents. The property operates as a rental community managed by a third-party management company and does not offer condominiums for purchase.
Floor Plans and Pricing
Rental rates vary by floor plan, lease length, and view. Current pricing (verify directly, as rates shift seasonally) typically ranges from the low $900s for a studio without lake view to the mid-$1,600s for a three-bedroom. Two-bedroom units, the most common tier, generally rent between $1,200 and $1,450 depending on whether the unit overlooks the lake. Leases are typically 12 months, though shorter terms may be negotiated. Deposits equal one month's rent. Water and trash are included in most leases; residents pay their own electric and gas. Parking is assigned surface lot or garage parking, included with the lease at no additional cost.
How Esplanade By The Lake Compares to Other OKC Apartment Options
Oklahoma City's rental market divides roughly between downtown-core properties and suburban or neighborhood-specific complexes. Esplanade By The Lake occupies a middle position: it has the newer finishes and amenities of purpose-built 2010s-era complexes like those in Midtown or near Bricktown, but it trades central walkability for lakefront access and lower rent than comparable downtown units.
Renters prioritizing downtown proximity and restaurant-district walkability typically choose Bricktown-adjacent complexes or Midtown apartments; those complexes charge $50 to $150 more per month for two-bedrooms but sit steps from bars and retail. Renters who prioritize commute to northern Oklahoma City suburbs may find better value in complexes along Meridian Avenue or near the junction of I-35 and I-44, which charge similarly but lack the lake amenity.
Esplanade By The Lake's advantage is the Lake Hefner waterfront itself: residents have direct access to a multi-use trail, public beach swimming in summer, paddle boarding areas, and parks without leaving the immediate neighborhood. This appeal is largely absent from central Oklahoma City rentals.
Who Fits at Esplanade By The Lake, and Who Does Not
The property suits tenants who work in north OKC (hospitals, corporate offices along Meridian) or who plan to split time between home and Bricktown dining. It also appeals to renters who prioritize outdoor recreation: Lake Hefner regularly hosts joggers, cyclists, and water-sport users, and the trail system is well-maintained.
Renters who need a short walk to restaurants, bars, and offices should look elsewhere. Esplanade sits roughly 2 miles from Bricktown's core; driving is necessary for most daily activities. Similarly, renters without a car or those working south of downtown will find the commute inconvenient compared to downtown-based complexes.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Visits are typically by appointment. Schedule with the leasing office, located at the main entrance. Tour staff will show model units (which may not reflect all finishes, particularly in kitchens and flooring, so ask which unit type your lease would cover). Ask to see a unit in the exact floor plan and view you are considering. Inquire about current move-in incentives, which shift quarterly. Review the lease carefully for utilities included, pet policies (confirm breed and weight restrictions), and any required fees beyond rent and deposit.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Esplanade By The Lake is located on NW 50th Street immediately east of the Lake Hefner park area. Leasing office hours are generally 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, though calling ahead is advisable. The complex provides assigned surface and garage parking; no street parking is required or offered. Public transit (Oklahoma City's MAPS transit system) serves the area with limited frequency; a car is necessary for most residents.
Esplanade By The Lake fills a specific niche in Oklahoma City's rental market: newer construction at moderate cost with a genuine neighborhood amenity in Lake Hefner. For renters who value outdoor access and can tolerate a short commute to central districts, it delivers both at a price point competitive with downtown alternatives.
