Beaty Capital part of renovating Oklahoma City armory into TempleLive venue

Rogers-based Beaty Capital Group (BCG), which invested in its first TempleLive property in downtown Fort Smith, has partnered with the Fischer Companies on a $23 million renovation of an historic armory in Oklahoma City into what will be the sixth TempleLive venue.

BCG is partnering in a 50-50 joint venture with Oklahoma City-based The Fischer Companies on the project. Mark Fischer, who is also involved in the energy sector, sold Dippin’ Dots in May 2022 to J&J Snack Foods for $222 million. Fischer, and his son Scott, acquired the company about 10 years prior to May 2022 out of a bankruptcy deal for $12.7 million.

The 23rd Street Oklahoma National Guard Armory, which sits in the Oklahoma Capital Complex, will be converted into a scalable 4,500-seat/capacity theater under the TempleLive brand, and will include a 500-capacity “emerging artist venue designed to support local and up-and-coming artists,” according to a press release sent Thursday (Jan. 23) by BCG.

Following are other features to be included in renovation of the historic property.
• Onsite parking for 1,200 vehicles
• Modern sound and lighting systems, including a 360-degree immersive art system using laser and projection mapping
• Multiple artist green rooms, including amenities such as showers, gym, game room, laundry facilities, multi dock load-in with direct stage access for production efficiency, and four secured on-site tour bus parking areas with shore power
• A restaurant and small bites pub and microbrewery that will include local restaurants, vendors and craft breweries

“Fischer brings local and state developmental and project management expertise and Beaty Capital Group, Inc., through its TempleLive brand, has extensive expertise in adaptive reuse projects preserving, converting, and operating historic properties as live event venues,” noted the press release.

Fischer acquired COOP Ale Works in 2022, and the armory property was included in the deal.

“We are thrilled to announce the coming restoration and showcase of one of our city’s iconic buildings. We aim to make the armory a cherished gathering space for the community to come together and enjoy,” Fischer noted in a statement.

BCG CEO Lance Beaty told Talk Business & Politics that the Oklahoma City venue will “help balance out our central states routing for artists.” He said the goal is to have renovation finished and the venue open no later than the fourth quarter of 2026.

“It’s a great market. It’s one of the best in the state, and it really helps us connect them (artists) with our other (TempleLive) markets,” Beaty said.

In addition to the former Masonic Temple in downtown Fort Smith, TempleLive has venues – all in renovated historic properties – in Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, Peoria, Ill., and Wichita, Kan.

According to the BCG press release, the armory was built in 1938 as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

“(T)he armory exemplifies Art Deco architecture with its sleek geometric designs and intricate stonework. Located strategically in Oklahoma City, it served as the headquarters for the Oklahoma National Guard’s renowned 45th Infantry Division, known as the ‘Thunderbirds,’” noted the press release.

BCG acquired the historic 53,000-square-foot Masonic Temple in downtown Fort Smith in November 2014 in a $2.5 million deal. The three-story building at 200 N. 11th St. was built in 1928 and has numerous meeting rooms and a theatre capable of seating 900. It reopened as TempleLive in August 2017 after approximately $5 million in renovations.