Very true. This area isn't exactlly one you want to walk around alone at night in. It's some rough stuff.

As a hotel, I honestly think something a little less pricey than a Embassy would do really great though. With that many hospitals, think about how many relatives come into town for treatments and could better be served with a close stay rather than a commute? I mean if you're paying for the treatment, last thing you want to do is think about having to pay a higher price for a hotel stay. That's when you see folks sleep in the chairs in the rooms, don't take a bath, get cranky, annoy the staff, and generally don't do any good for the patient either.

Now I'm not saying an Embassy Suite wouldn't be able to survive. With the growing biomedical community, there will be more visitors coming to town to work with the groups in the area, and again, if you can stay local, that's great. That was always my complaint with downtown hotels....they were always pricy names and left out the average Joe. That's changed in OKC now with Hamption and Holiday Inn finally, but man it took FOREVER!

Geez, by the time a hotel would be built, you'd probably have the trolly running by it to the HSC and the Capitol. Combine those with the biotech companies and it seems to me that would be a terrific place for a suites hotel where people staying with relatives and business/government travelors would stay. Almost makes me wish I had $50 million or so to lend.

Very true. This area isn't exactlly one you want to walk around alone at night in. It's some rough stuff.

As a hotel, I honestly think something a little less pricey than a Embassy would do really great though. With that many hospitals, think about how many relatives come into town for treatments and could better be served with a close stay rather than a commute? I mean if you're paying for the treatment, last thing you want to do is think about having to pay a higher price for a hotel stay. That's when you see folks sleep in the chairs in the rooms, don't take a bath, get cranky, annoy the staff, and generally don't do any good for the patient either.

Now I'm not saying an Embassy Suite wouldn't be able to survive. With the growing biomedical community, there will be more visitors coming to town to work with the groups in the area, and again, if you can stay local, that's great. That was always my complaint with downtown hotels....they were always pricy names and left out the average Joe. That's changed in OKC now with Hamption and Holiday Inn finally, but man it took FOREVER!

Well, my view is that the area has its challenges and is a little sketchy but I think it can support a premier hotel chain a lot better than most areas can. Like I said, there aren't many areas of town with as many prominent facilities clustered together as the OUHSC/Capitol Complex area The area is a gem but it won't realize its potential overnight. And I would almost think that do to the highly prominent nature of the facilities that an Embassy Suites or better could be supported better than a Holiday Inn in fact..nobody who is testifying at the state capitol or consulting or whatever is going to want to stay in a Holiday Inn.

But let's also be cognizant that they've been trying to do a special unique, locally-owned hotel project north of the capitol for years and years and it has never come to fruition..

I would be cool with whatever hotel they put in that area,but as long as it's not a big flat 2 story hotel like The Biltmore off of Meridian(YUK!)I would like to see a tower!This area is great, even though it is in a rough blighted part of town,it still has history and a lot of people work in This area! This need's to be One of OKC's top desirable place's to live Again!

10 years from now that area could be completely transformed.

I think that the HSC is the perfect location for an embassy suites I think that we may be underestimating that area. I am fully aware of the surrounding area having worked in some pretty scary apartment complexes during high school as a carpet cleaner / Water damage guy.

Since the HSC draws not only families, but traveling professors and researchers and the area is expanding, if anything I would hope that the Embassy suites folks would think longer term and beef up the structure to be able to add floors for future demand.

I wish we could see one like they have in downtown Houston, that one is a great looking building and has some character. Alas, if wishes were ponies...

Ft. Worth had the Bass brothers for good fairies who bought blocks of deteriorated downtown Ft. Worth and redeveloped it on their own dime. It has been extremely successful. Wish OKC had a good fairy (no jokes, OK?).

Whatever happened to this project?

It's in the abyss somewhere between waiting for financing and OCURA extensions and the rest of the inglorious side of downtown development, BUT some people are confident. Time will tell.

It's in the abyss somewhere between waiting for financing and OCURA extensions and the rest of the inglorious side of downtown development, BUT some people are confident. Time will tell.

Thanks.

http://journalrecord.com/2011/10/24/okc-embassy-suites-project-restarted-real-estate/

noticed construction equipment at the site today, when I passed by this morning.

Anybody with a Journal Subscription want to post it?

bump ..

A new 200 room, 6 story downtown area hotel Hotel and nobody is excited about this?

There has been more discussion and excitement over seeing a Qdoba sign on a trailer in Midtown.

A new 200 room, 6 story downtown area hotel Hotel and nobody is excited about this?

There has been more discussion and excitement over seeing a Qdoba sign on a trailer in Midtown.

I am! I too have been surprised at the lack of discussion.

Maybe because this is really old news and it's taken long-past initial excitement to even break ground? Just throwin' ideas out there.

I guess I'm excited for it but like Architect mentioned it's old news.

Are there any renderings around for this?

I don't think this is to the construction phase because there is still action needed like closing streets, approving the designs and issuing a building permit.

The equipment may be to do some ground work but I'm quite sure this project isn't quite a done deal.

I don't think this is to the construction phase because there is still action needed like closing streets, approving the designs and issuing a building permit.

The equipment may be to do some ground work but I'm quite sure this project isn't quite a done deal.


Plans were approved by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority back in 2008, right? I also think that a building permit was issued back in 2008 also. I think the reason why they are moving on this project now is because I read back a couple months ago that OCURA gave them until December to break ground, or they were going to revoke deal.

After talking to some folks this morning, I can share that construction is not about to start on the Embassy Suites.

After talking to some folks this morning, I can share that construction is not about to start on the Embassy Suites.

Bummer!

At least we have Midtown Qdoba, Right?

Um, no.

thanks for ruining my day ;(

First no new hotel starting, now no Midtown Qdoba. Next you will tell me that new parking lots will be built along the Bricktown Canal.

Well at least sun is shining and there is NBA basketball in Okc!

Um.... have you visited the Myriad Gardens lately?

I also think that a building permit was issued back in 2008 also.

I can't find any evidence of that.

I doubt they ever got this far because they are only now seeking to close streets in the area.

Steve, I am kidding.

Yes the new MG is fantastic, and you did not ruin my day.

So Steve, are you saying that the Embassy Suites won't be built or are you just saying that what G.Walker seen wasn't the Embassy Suites but there still is a plan for these to be built just not in the foreseen future?

I am just basing my assumption on the previous Journal Record article, and seeing construction equipment at the site, so I just put two and two together...

I am just basing my assumption on the previous Journal Record article, and seeing construction equipment at the site, so I just put two and two together...

I honestly would've done the same thing. =)

I'm saying Embassy Suites construction is at least six to 12 months away from starting. I'm saying this having talked to those involved in the project. I am not saying that people on OKC Talk were foolish to draw a different conclusion from what they read in the JR, etc. I also have the greatest respect for the writer of the JR article and in no way do I mean any offense to her either. I'm just putting out what I know to be the correct information - that construction on this hotel is not about to begin yet.

I don't think this is to the construction phase because there is still action needed like closing streets, approving the designs and issuing a building permit.

The equipment may be to do some ground work but I'm quite sure this project isn't quite a done deal.

got something on this from the planning commission meeting the other day ..

they were seeking the removal of an easment on this and an attached property and they changed it to only get the removal on the attached property

on the hotel sight the defered until Jan to work out a few things with ONG

I hope this has massing on the street and parking in back, or better yet a parking garage. If done right, it can look like a natural extension of the Health Sciences Center.

Resolution approving the construction drawings for this project on tomorrow's OCURA agenda.

Looks like this may be moving forward; the revised agreement requires them to start construction by July 1, 2013.


Yet more hotel construction!

BTW, this is a Mickey Clagg / Bob Howard (Midtown Renaissance people) development and the most recent rumors involve a six-story hotel with a restaurant and about 194 rooms.


Remember, Toby Keith's OK Kid's Korral is already under construction in the area as well.

Embassy Suites is a little nicer addition to the market downtown. I hope their building reflects it.

building the case for a health science center to downtown streetcar...

:sofa:

maps 4?

Couldn't agree more, Sid. No disrespect to the streetcar committee experts.

Not enough money in MAPS 3, not enough reasons to make it the primary route, and that's all I'll say here! It's a shame we didn't get the grant from the Feds, as that would've funded it.

Resolution approving the construction drawings for this project on tomorrow's OCURA agenda.

Looks like this may be moving forward; the revised agreement requires them to start construction by July 1, 2013.


Yet more hotel construction!

Is there a link to what they submitted to OCURA?

Is there a link to what they submitted to OCURA?

No, I couldn't find the drawings otherwise I would have posted them.

The only thing on the agenda was a resolution to approve them.

Here is Steve's update including a depiction of the hotel.

Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center | News OK (http://newsok.com/construction-set-to-start-this-summer-on-25-million-embassy-suites-in-the-oklahoma-health-center/article/3760379)

Very suburban design.... Yay.

I've seen suburban designs before but oh my. I honestly can't describe what I'm thinking.

I just saw the rendering on newsok. Holy crap. The City needs to increase the size of the urban zoning requirements quickly before more stuff like that gets built. What a waste of resources. Only using 10% of the site for income generation has got to stop. The city can't keep funding miles of streets and infrastructure to only use 10% of the land to produce the taxes necessary to support it. We have start demanding better rates of return for public expenditures.

Where is the rendering??? It isn't popping up on my computer anywhere on the article. :(

Where is the rendering??? It isn't popping up on my computer anywhere on the article. :(

See if this link helps.

Article Photos: Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center Gallery (http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/3760379/pictures/1950187?title=article-gallery-construction-set-to-start-this-summer-on-25-million-embassy-suites-in-the-oklahoma-health-center)

http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r620-523091b5be9372a28e4b1d54040d506f.jpg
Article Photos: Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center Gallery (http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/3760379/pictures/1967009)
http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r620-33917c6534e5ee42b1be4a8bd70fe0eb.jpg
Article Photos: Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center Gallery (http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/3760379/pictures/1950187?title=article-gallery-construction-set-to-start-this-summer-on-25-million-embassy-suites-in-the-oklahoma-health-center&custom_click=email_multimedia_gallery)

Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center | News OK (http://newsok.com/construction-set-to-start-this-summer-on-25-million-embassy-suites-in-the-oklahoma-health-center/article/3760379)

See if this link helps.

Article Photos: Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center Gallery (http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/3760379/pictures/1950187?title=article-gallery-construction-set-to-start-this-summer-on-25-million-embassy-suites-in-the-oklahoma-health-center)


http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r620-523091b5be9372a28e4b1d54040d506f.jpg
Article Photos: Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center Gallery (http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/3760379/pictures/1967009)
http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r620-33917c6534e5ee42b1be4a8bd70fe0eb.jpg
Article Photos: Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center Gallery (http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/3760379/pictures/1950187?title=article-gallery-construction-set-to-start-this-summer-on-25-million-embassy-suites-in-the-oklahoma-health-center&custom_click=email_multimedia_gallery)

Construction set to start this summer on $25 million Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center | News OK (http://newsok.com/construction-set-to-start-this-summer-on-25-million-embassy-suites-in-the-oklahoma-health-center/article/3760379)Thanx a bunch!!!! For what it is, it doesn't look to bad. It would be better off somewhere further out from the core though. It would've been better if they would build an attached garage for parking. Push it a little further up to street. I wonder if there are plans to develop that green area behind the hotel. That seems like an awfully lot of space wasted.

Is there any design review that can ask for a few, simple revisions like what was already echo'd here?

Push the front closer to the street, build structured parking behind, perhaps more floors to maximize hotel potential. I agree that it isn't that bad of a design, but the land use is ridiculous and I think it is high time that the Oklahoma Health Center adopt an urban plan instead of continuing to allow these types of suburban mid/high rise developments each in the middle of a sea of surface parking. ....

I agree that the structure itself isn't bad looking, the use of land just blows my mind - in a bad way.

Is there any design review that can ask for a few, simple revisions like what was already echo'd here?

Push the front closer to the street, build structured parking behind, perhaps more floors to maximize hotel potential. I agree that it isn't that bad of a design, but the land use is ridiculous and I think it is high time that the Oklahoma Health Center adopt an urban plan instead of continuing to allow these types of suburban mid/high rise developments each in the middle of a sea of surface parking. ....

I would be happy with them just moving it 10' from the curb with all parking in back.

I would be happy with them just moving it 10' from the curb with all parking in back.

That's a great idea. It would at least save the parking lot for potential future development, and move the building closer the the street without much of an impact on the costs or overall current design of the project. I wonder how likely it would be that something like this could be accomplished?

That's a great idea. It would at least save the parking lot for potential future development, and move the building closer the the street without much of an impact on the costs or overall current design of the project. I wonder how likely it would be that something like this could be accomplished?

It was approved already. Any changes at this point would come from the developer. So don't expect any layout changes.

No, the design is not final. Urban Renewal commissioners told them they want to see some changes... and the designs will have to come back to them.

No, the design is not final. Urban Renewal commissioners told them they want to see some changes... and the designs will have to come back to them.

Do you know if any of those changes include site layout?

I don't mind the building's appearance that much, but the layout is atrocious for downtown.

It's focused on design. But I will add not everything is as it seems with the overhead rendering.... you're assuming nothing changes to the west and south...

I thought I read somewhere that this hotel development was related to the guys that form Midtown Renaissance. If that was indeed true, I had higher hopes for this hotel's layout and design.

Overview of the site (also added in article gallery above):

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/urban-development-buildings/3425d1362415199-embassy-suites-health-sciences-center-embassysuitessite1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/urban-development-buildings/3426d1362415200-embassy-suites-health-sciences-center-embassysuitessite2.jpg

Such a waste of resources.

I just saw the rendering on newsok. Holy crap. The City needs to increase the size of the urban zoning requirements quickly before more stuff like that gets built. What a waste of resources. Only using 10% of the site for income generation has got to stop. The city can't keep funding miles of streets and infrastructure to only use 10% of the land to produce the taxes necessary to support it. We have start demanding better rates of return for public expenditures.
10%? How did you figure that?

How much of that property was generating revenue prior to this?