A New Steward for Tulsa’s Beloved Utica Square After More Than 60 Years of Helmerich Family Ownership
Global real estate investment firm Northwood Investors LLC (“Northwood”) announced Thursday the acquisition of Utica Square, a 370,755 square foot open-air lifestyle center located in the heart of Tulsa, OK by funds managed by Northwood. The iconic property has been owned by Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (H&P) since 1964.
While the acquisition marks the end of a remarkable era of family stewardship, Northwood looks forward to honoring its past while investing in its future for generations to come. Existing employees supporting Utica Square operations are expected to continue in their roles.
“Utica Square has been an important part of our company’s history and of the Tulsa community for many years,” says Chairman of the Board at H&P Hans Helmerich. “We are grateful for the generations of tenants, employees and visitors who helped make Utica Square the special place it is today. As we considered the future of the property, it was important to us to find a buyer with the experience and long-term perspective to continue its legacy. We believe Northwood is well positioned to serve as an excellent steward of Utica Square and support its continued success in the Tulsa community.”
“We feel very fortunate that the Helmerich family chose Northwood to carry on the legacy for what we feel is one of the most unique and idyllic retail assets in the United States,” said President of Northwood Retail LLC (“Northwood Retail”) Ward Kampf. “With a portfolio spanning coast to coast, we have a nationwide lens, and in Utica Square, we identified a rare opportunity to own a true Tulsa landmark with history, prestige, and deep community roots. We recognize the property’s special personality, driven by local operators, a garden-like atmosphere, longstanding traditions, and signature events. We plan to further enhance the project with improvements that honor the original architecture and mirror what the Helmerich family has created, while delivering new retailers that meet market needs and align with the neighborhood’s sought-after demographics. As a proud Oklahoman, I couldn’t be more pleased to step in as the next steward of Utica Square.”
Utica Square opened in 1952 as Tulsa’s first suburban shopping center and has long held a special place in the community’s hearts by seamlessly blending beloved longstanding local institutions, including Queenie’s, Stonehorse Café, Polo Grill, and Margo’s, with nationally recognized brands, such as Alo, Sephora, Anthropologie, and Restoration Hardware. Utica Square provides a gathering place for community and visitors alike with curated annual events, including Summer’s Fifth Night, a weekly summer concert series featuring live local music, and Lights On, a beloved holiday tradition where the square is illuminated with festive lights.
Northwood Retail, an affiliate of Northwood, specializes in delivering extraordinary retail centers with forward-thinking merchandise mixes to curate a beautiful and modern experience for each community. Their portfolio includes dynamic shopping centers and mixed-use assets, such as Domain NORTHSIDE in Austin, Tx, The Bowl at Ballantyne in Charlotte, NC, Fifth + Broadway in Nashville, TN, The Shops at Park Lane in Dallas, TX, and more.
For more information on Utica Square, visit uticasquare.com.
About Utica Square Since 1952, Utica Square has been a timeless Tulsa tradition and an iconic hometown landmark where generations of Tulsans have gathered to shop, dine, and celebrate life’s special moments. Located in the heart of Midtown Tulsa, the elegant open-air lifestyle center spans approximately 370,755 square feet and offers a distinctive blend of upscale retail, dining, and services. With more than 40 specialty stores and 14 restaurants, Utica Square features a carefully curated tenant mix that pairs beloved local institutions—such as Queenie’s, Stonehorse Café, and Polo Grill—with nationally recognized brands including Alo, Anthropologie, Sephora, and Restoration Hardware. Known for its beautifully landscaped walkways, welcoming outdoor setting, and community-focused atmosphere, Utica Square remains a premier destination for shopping, dining, and gathering in Tulsa. As one of the city’s most treasured destinations and the most trafficked lifestyle center in Oklahoma, Utica Square continues to evolve while honoring its rich heritage, offering an elevated lifestyle experience that reflects the spirit, style, and traditions of Tulsa. For more information on Utica Square, visit uticasquare.com.
About Northwood Investors LLC is a privately held real estate private equity firm that owns and operates real estate across the U.S. and Europe. The firm currently manages a portfolio aggregating approximately $20 billion in total gross asset value. Northwood is vertically integrated with in-house operating teams across the office, multifamily, retail, hospitality, and urban logistics sectors.
About Northwood Retail LLC was established by Northwood Investors. The platform currently leases, manages, and markets a portfolio of community and mixed-use properties across the United States with a concentration in Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Tennessee, and California. Northwood Retail is focused on creating value at each project through a disciplined approach to leasing, development, property management, and marketing. To learn more, visit northwoodretail.com.
About Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Founded in 1920, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (H&P) (NYSE: HP) is committed to delivering industry leading levels of drilling productivity and reliability. H&P operates with the highest level of integrity, safety and innovation to deliver superior results for its customers and returns for shareholders. Through its subsidiaries, the Company designs, fabricates and operates high-performance drilling rigs in conventional and unconventional plays around the world. H&P also develops and implements advanced automation, directional drilling and survey management technologies. As of February 4, 2026, H&P’s fleet includes 203 land rigs in the United States, 137 international land rigs and 5 offshore platform rigs, plus operating approximately 30 offshore labor contracts. For more information, see H&P online at www.hpinc.com