Tulsa is more than just home — it’s where design meets history, architecture merges with innovation, and our everyday lives intersect with extraordinary surroundings. As home‑remodeling experts at The Buckingham Group, we believe that great homes are shaped not just by materials or trades, but by the communities and places that inspire them. In this blog, we share ten must‑see places in Tulsa that every homeowner, design enthusiast, or remodel‑planner should experience. From iconic architecture to vibrant neighborhoods — these spots are rich with ideas, character, and the creative spark that fuels our work.
Tulsa’s Greenwood District: Where history meets inspiration for modern home design.
1. The Historic Greenwood District & “Black Wall Street” Legacy
Located in the heart of Tulsa, the Greenwood District stands as a testament to resilience, culture, and renewal. Once known as “Black Wall Street,” this neighborhood offers meaningful history alongside modern redevelopment. With its restored brick‑faced buildings, mural art, and vibrant community events, it’s a perfect place to draw design inspiration — think mixed materials, heritage touches, and layered storytelling in your home remodel.
Philbrook Museum & Gardens: architecture and landscape combining to inspire home design.
2. Philbrook Museum & Gardens
The Philbrook Museum of Art is not just a museum — it’s a design lesson set in 1920s Italian‑Renaissance architecture, surrounded by sculpture gardens, fountains, and walkways. Homeowners can take cues from the way indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly here, how materials are layered, and how landscaping complements architecture.
Gathering Place: redefining outdoor living with design, nature and community.
3. The Gathering Place
A model for modern outdoor living, the Gathering Place is Tulsa’s award‑winning 100‑acre park along the Arkansas River. With its pavilions, bridges, native landscaping, and even a boathouse, it reflects how thoughtful design and recreation merge. For homeowners planning outdoor remodels or indoor‑outdoor living spaces, this park offers real‑life inspiration.
Tulsa downtown’s Art Deco gems — inspiration for bold home‑interior accents
4. Art Deco Architecture in Downtown Tulsa
Tulsa’s downtown is a treasure trove of Art Deco design. Buildings like the Boston Avenue Methodist Church and the Philtower Building showcase geometric forms, rich materials, and architectural detailing that can elevate your remodel plans. These stylistic cues can be translated into interior finishes, lighting fixtures, tile patterns, or cabinetry hardware in your home.
Neighborhood character that influences home design.
5. Utica Square & Maple Ridge Neighborhood
For refined daily living, the Utica Square shopping district and the adjacent historic Maple Ridge neighborhood exemplify elegance and community charm. Strolling the tree‑lined streets, you’ll find homes with character, porches, quality craftsmanship, and a sense of place — all factors that inform thoughtful home remodels.
6. The Center of the Universe & Guthrie Green
At the edge of downtown, the Center of the Universe acoustic circle and the nearby Guthrie Green urban park remind us that design can be playful, communal, and centered around experience. Whether you’re remodeling a loft, a media room, or a flexible living space, these areas underscore how place influences mood and function.
Urban edge meets home‑remodel design inspiration
7. The Tulsa Arts District & 18th Street Corridor
The Tulsa Arts District pulses with dynamic murals, industrial‑chic loft conversions, and creative energy. The nearby 18th Street Corridor blends new architecture with adaptive reuse. This fusion is perfect for homeowners looking for remodel aesthetics that merge modern and vintage, open‑plan living, and expressive finishes.
Arkansas River & River Parks: connection to nature and design reflected in homes.
8. The River Parks & Arkansas River Trail
Outdoor recreation shapes how many Tulsa homes are used and lived in. The River Parks along the Arkansas River trail system shows how natural elements, water views, and pathways intersect with urban life. When planning a remodel that includes outdoor decks, patios, or large windows, consider the way these landscapes engage with architecture.
9. Brookside & Cherry Street Neighborhoods
For eclectic charm and local flavor, the Brookside and Cherry Street neighborhoods bring boutique shops, mid‑century homes, and mix‑use transitions. A remodel here can draw on community character, flexible layouts, and the blending of indoor/outdoor living ideal for Tulsa’s climate.hitecture.
Near Boston Avenue Fall foliage: quiet design lessons for luxury remodels.
10. Philbrook West: Boston Avenue Area & Hidden Gardens
Finally, the area around the Boston Avenue corridor features hidden garden spaces, residential architecture, and design richness that often goes unseen. These calm pockets reflect how remodeling can focus on tranquility, craftsmanship, and subtle luxury — whether you’re redesigning a master suite or creating a spa‑like bath.