Just off the beaten path, down an unassuming country road just 10 miles south of Norman, lies a hidden gem that is, quite honestly, difficult to fully comprehend … difficult, that is, until you take the surprisingly easy and short drive to an area oft-overlooked for the familiarity of OKC’s downtown adventures.
Ditching the traditional neighborhood development model, Selah is a colossal, 540-acre New Urbanism Community attracting those who seek a sense of community and a place to get back to their roots. Literally meaning “Stop. Pause. Listen.,” Selah’s name reflects the tranquility and connection woven throughout this unique community.
When completed (Selah is currently in Phase 1 of development), this agrihood will be composed of multiple villages, each with its own specific aesthetic. From arts and agriculture to wellbeing, dining and education, each district serves to enrich its residents’ lives as well as the greater community.
From 750-square-foot cottages to lavish estate homes, there is no minimum square footage requirement and a lot size to fit every need. With an on-site Realty team, hassle-free tours are offered seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Built around the ideals of healthy living and a connected community, Selah is intentionally crafted to encourage its residents to live a more fulfilled life by connecting not only with each other, but the land itself.
And residents will find no shortage of awesome activities in which to partake! It will have an impressive 25-acre organic working farm; vineyards; a walking trail system; parks throughout; several lakes, including one larger for activities; livestock lookouts already showcasing Ankole-Watusi (a modern American breed of domestic cattle); an equine center; a seasonal farmer’s market; and year-round community-inspired events, just to name a few. It’s truly a Wellness Community that creates a connected experience for its residents and the community at large.
With 100,000 square feet of commercial space planned, the developers and staff work closely with potential business owners to assist and support their efforts to bring their dream to Selah. In doing so, these locally owned businesses will become a large portion of the amenities Selah has to offer, keeping yearly fees and dues of the homeowner and taxpayers at a minimum.
During this era of national and global unrest, Selah is designed to offer a simpler, safer, more ethical way of life.
The national average green space that is “protected” by any given developer is only 15%. But what happens when a local family who cares about the land becomes the developer? An astounding 50% of the land is preserved in this community, while homesites and commercial space are created around the existing topography. Not only is this out of respect to our Earth, but also to the local community whose residents chose the area for its miles of rolling hills and wildflowers.
Oklahoma is experiencing a population explosion as those on the East and West coasts seek the more relaxed lifestyle of the Midwest. Selah fulfills the call for more homes, yes, but as a 540-acre mixed-use community, it also provides space for local business owners, creative learning culture, farmland and acres of natural, wide-open space.
Selah is proudly developed by Brett and Tina Adkins and Brett’s parents, Scott and Libby Adkins, of Adkins & Adkins Land Development. Brett and Tina Adkins are the visionaries behind, and creators of, the nationally recognized Southwind Hills Event Venue in Goldsby. Scott and Libby are successful local business leaders and farmers as well as the owners of Libby’s Café.
Hailing from a long local lineage of farmers and entrepreneurs, the Adkins are also proud members of the Choctaw tribe. In fact, the land has a storied past that dates back to their ancestor, Pryor Adkins, the first unofficial mayor of Norman and a pioneer who paved the way for businesses to thrive in Cleveland County (including the University of Oklahoma) during the turn of the last century.
Visitors to Selah will find more of the Adkins’ rich history in Cleveland and McClain counties’ storied past by stepping into Pryor’s Pizza Kitchen, a unique, coal-fired pizza restaurant balancing great food and a lively ambiance. Quickly growing in popularity as the area’s weekend meeting spot, the pizza kitchen’s fully bricked walls and unique design create an industrial, steampunk chic vibe that makes this restaurant trendy and Instagrammable at every turn!
Additionally, Pryor’s Pizza Kitchen guests can enjoy live music, reserve pickle ball courts, play cornhole or ping pong, and sit in style around fire pits while the little ones play in a fenced-in playground. Other amenities include a full bar inside and a Silo bar outside, craft beer and an impressive wine list, and seasonal cocktails. Pryor’s Pizza Kitchen is open Thursday through Sunday.
Keep an eye out for the highly anticipated opening of The Reserve, situated just behind Pryor’s. The dinner club and cocktail lounge will boast vintage glam, fine dining and eye-candy cocktails. The Reserve will soon be available to reserve private events for up to 75 guests, or the entire building for a greater capacity.
For a calmer, quieter vibe, go across the road to SIP, a coffee boutique with a bright, sleek art deco aesthetic. Serving up caffeinated goodness and a rotating pastry and small bites menu, locals have made SIP their go-to morning java stop. It is also quickly gaining attention as the cutest space for small private events such as bridal and baby showers, birthday parties, and study group or book club gatherings. In 2023, SIP plans to open its doors in the evenings to include a wine boutique to further offer the perfect place for girl’s night outs, bachelorette parties and date nights.
Having already kicked off their holiday season, you can now visit Selah on weekend evenings for an experience straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Igloos are available to rent for a festive night out and holiday movies are shown on big screens behind the restaurant, synchronized to over 250,000 Christmas lights—and it’s all lit by a glorious 50’ live Christmas tree!
To learn more about life at Selah, grab a smiling face to share the complete vision. Visit there, Live there, Work there … but whatever you do, just GO there!
Visit SelahOK.com for more information, including directions.