In Progress

Bringing Life to a Historic Site

Located on E. 8th Street and S. Rockford Avenue, the Laura Dester site – once home to the Tulsa Boys Home – faced years of uncertainty following its acquisition by the City of Tulsa to support long-term stormwater facility planning in the Pearl District. Following multiple failed development proposals, PartnerTulsa, along with the Tulsa Development Authority, partnered with Amenome, LLC. and developer Kevin Rice to breathe life back into a site that will anchor one of the largest developments in the Pearl District.

nighttime skyline of Tulsa, OK.

Fast Facts

$14M Total Capital Investment
72 Housing Units Expected To Be Created
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Laura Dester Redevelopment

Upon completion, the $14 million development will include 72 apartment units in the five existing buildings, as well as a new, three-story, 18,000-square-foot retail/office building and 10-15 townhomes.

Project Overview

A historic redevelopment of the former site of the Tulsa Boys Home will yield 72 affordable apartment units.
Phase 1
Negotiation and Sale
Partner Tulsa and Amenome Development have completed contract negotiations on the Redevelopment Agreementand the property has transferred ownership.
Phase 2
Construction
The site is currently under construction/redevelopment with an expected completion date in early 2023.
Phase 3
Pre-leasing and Project Completion
The property will be conducting pre-leasing beginning in late 2022 and expects to move in its first tenants beginning in March of 2023.

The Stories That Inspire Us

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March 11, 2026

Storm Recovery Resources for Tulsa Businesses

PartnerTulsa is committed to helping Tulsa businesses recover and rebuild by connecting them with financial tools and technical support.  If your business has experienced storm-related damage, the following resources may be available to help with…
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March 4, 2026

Community Voices Needed: Help Shape the Future of the Historic Moton Hospital Site

PartnerTulsa, in collaboration with our community partner, the Terence Crutcher Foundation, invites the community to participate in a community-wide engagement meeting related to the development of a 3.5 acre site on Pine Street and Greenwood…
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February 26, 2026

Meet Betty Lam – The PartnerTulsa Intern Helping Tell Tulsa’s Story

Tell us a little about your background. What experiences or interests have shaped your path, and what are your goals for the future? I’m originally from Vietnam and currently pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Media…
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