Fourth-generation builder-developer David Odom has struck out for ground where Odoms a leading family in south Oklahoma City construction and development since the Great Depression have never ventured:
North Oklahoma City.
It's unfamiliar territory, but the move represents a familiar life path for an Odom.
Odom, 30, co-owner of HIIO Fine Homes with Mike Hopper, is expanding into land development with his purchase of the long-dormant Warwick West addition, south of NW 122 just west of Rockwell Avenue. At Warwick West, Odom is on his own with his Odom Northwest LLC.
He's following in the business footsteps of his father, P.B. Odom III, his grandfather, P.B. Odom Jr., and his great-grandfather, P.B. Odom, who started the Odom home-building and developing tradition in the 1930s.
It's not a dynasty exactly.
"We're all in the same business, but each is the captain of his own ship," David Odom said. "They help you out and get you started, then it's up to you."
It's the Odom way. Odom's father started out the same way. An online brochure explains:
In 1969, P.B. Odom took P.B. Odom III to a section of his Ranchwood Manor at SW 89 and Santa Fe Avenue, showed him a standing stem wall and asked him whether he'd ever considered becoming a builder.
"Knowing Paul had been involved in every facet since childhood, he gave him the blueprints, patted him on the back and said to call him if he needed help," the online story goes. "After a few months, and maybe a few calls, Paul completed his first home. The home was 2,000 square feet and sold for $27,000."
Each of the Odoms learned home-building before venturing into land development.
"My family has always thought that to be a good developer, you have to be a good builder first. That way, you learn both sides of the fence," David Odom said. "Coming from a builder to a developer is kind of my family tradition."
But he's leaving home-building in south Oklahoma City. He said he is working now to determine a corps of five or six core builders for Warwick West.
"I'm not building out here myself," he said. "Being that I'm a builder trying to get into the development business, it's hard to get builders to come in and compete with you. I want them to come in, and I want to help them and all of us do a good job."
Odom said he didn't go looking for land to develop on the north side. His father is friends with the Griffin family, which started Warwick West in the 1980s. The deal "kind of fell in our lap," he said. "Good timing. Good situation. And that's how we got started."
He said he didn't exactly plan to head north.
"It's a new experience. The way we're spreading out, we're not competing with one another. I tell most people I don't want to compete with my father and grandfather," he said.
There is a crowded field of Odom enterprises in south Oklahoma City.
About 70 years ago, his great-grandfather built homes on handshakes and built a reputation on word of mouth.
In the 1950s and '60s, his grandfather built more than 1,500 homes and developed land near SW 74 and SW 89 and Pennsylvania Avenue.
In the 1970s and '80s, his father started building his own business and is best known for the large Rivendell neighborhood he started in 1989 and, more recently, the upscale gated Chatenay addition and adjacent Chatenay Square shopping center.
David Odom said he's not getting out of home-building but is narrowing his building activity to concentrate more on the development end of the business.
"I want to learn development from my family," he said. "Dad is taking an active part in helping me learn the ropes of the business. Grandfather offers advice when needed."
His immediate plans for Warwick West, which has about 55 homes, include lining up builders for 14 lots in the front of the addition adjacent to NW 122. He also is developing more lots and cul de sacs in the back. Lot sizes average 90 feet wide by 130 feet deep, he said. Home sizes will average 2,800 square feet.
He said he anticipates no changes in neighborhood covenants but stressed that architectural guidelines would make sure the newer homes blend well with homes built almost 20 years ago. In addition, he said he plans to start a homeowners association.
Eventually, he said, he hopes to involve another Odom his sister, Rachel Odom Pollard, 27 in the business. She is now sales manager for HIIO Fine Homes.
"I'd like to partner up with my sister, so she can take care of the home-building and I can be the developer and we can be a good team," he said.
Archive ID: 1317984
