Textbook community, real estate development on display
By : J. David Chapman/December 5, 2024
Christian Kanady, majority owner of Energy FC, knows how to ensure success of a venture.
He has teamed up with two of the most respected professionals in their respective fields as investors and partners in his plans for an innovative, dynamic and forward-thinking project involving a new soccer team and stadium district development in OKC.
On the real estate side, is local developer Mark Beffort. There is not a more respected, professional, and competent real estate developer than Beffort. Kanady has teamed up with Beffort to build an entertainment district adjacent to the arena. This partnership builds on their previous collaboration, Convergence, a cutting-edge biotech hub located just east of downtown OKC.
The team is in the process of acquiring and consolidating ownership of approximately 50 acres, including the site of the former Producers Cooperative Cotton Oil Mill. The ultimate vision is to create a vibrant hub with hospitality, residential, entertainment, retail, and public spaces seamlessly connecting Bricktown, Downtown, and the Riversport District.
From the sports world, Kanady has secured a partnership with none other than Russell Westbrook. Through his business venture, Russell Westbrook Enterprises (RWE), and its president, Donnell Beverly Jr., Westbrook has thrown his weight behind Kanady’s vision. RWE’s involvement extends beyond soccer, encompassing real estate developments tied to the stadium and Echo’s Prairie Surf Studios, which will vacate its current location to make way for OKC’s new downtown Thunder Arena.
While the concept is compelling, the path to execution is intricate. A key milestone is finalizing an agreement with the City of Oklahoma City, which is providing the land for the MAPS 4 multipurpose stadium. Construction is slated to begin next year, with a grand opening anticipated in 2027.
This initiative is a textbook example of a transformative, economically impactful development often studied in real estate programs across the country. While the stadium’s location is critical, the project’s true success hinges on infrastructure and efficient circulation for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Add a dose of government incentives and cooperation, and the development is poised to deliver the urban, walkable community that OKC residents increasingly seek. This “game-changer” development exemplifies the type of forward-thinking planning that can redefine a city’s identity and attract new residents and businesses alike.
J. David Chapman, Ph.D., is professor of finance & real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).