It works well in Midtown. If it were not present in Midtown, why would you not want a Louie's in this location? Is it too suburban for you? How about a Whiskey & Rye? Or is that strictly an Omni brand?

I agree it works well in Midtown. Not a hater, per se. It's just that there are dozens of them everywhere: Yukon, Meridian, Hefner, Midtown, Western, et. al. Do we really need another Louie's? How would you rate their food / ambiance on a scale of 1-10? It's fine for what it is but another Louie's would not add value to this cool development.

The Midtown Deli was way better.

The Midtown Deli was way better.

It was not. I lived at Claremont and wanted to like that place, but it was run terribly. Bad service, weak food. Louie's uses the space much, much better. Good beer deals. They expanded the patio. Huge overall upgrade from MidTown Deli.

It was not. I lived at Claremont and wanted to like that place, but it was run terribly. Bad service, weak food. Louie's uses the space much, much better. Good beer deals. They expanded the patio. Huge overall upgrade from MidTown Deli.

I agree. The food selections, as presented on the menu, were better at Midtown, but they weren't executed well all the time. Louie's runs it well and uses the space so much better.

It was not. I lived at Claremont and wanted to like that place, but it was run terribly. Bad service, weak food. Louie's uses the space much, much better. Good beer deals. They expanded the patio. Huge overall upgrade from MidTown Deli.

I agree. Louie's is much better than MidTown was.

I agree it works well in Midtown. Not a hater, per se. It's just that there are dozens of them everywhere: Yukon, Meridian, Hefner, Midtown, Western, et. al. Do we really need another Louie's? How would you rate their food / ambiance on a scale of 1-10? It's fine for what it is but another Louie's would not add value to this cool development.

That's why I stated "If there wasn't one in Midtown" ;-)

It was not. I lived at Claremont and wanted to like that place, but it was run terribly. Bad service, weak food. Louie's uses the space much, much better. Good beer deals. They expanded the patio. Huge overall upgrade from MidTown Deli.

Wait, did you say good beer deals? I have never been so ripped off for a beer in my life as when I get dragged to Louie's. I hate paying $5-7 for a beer whenever I come back from Ohio where a good craft beer at a restaurant or bar is normally $3.

Midtown Deli had this great bacon cheddar and pulled pork 'wich on rye bread that I always got, and if I remember right it came with the same oven-baked soft potato chips you can get at Bubba's BBQ.

http://youtu.be/Dbf2CJIicRk

Aloft Hotel (June 10 2013) - YouTube (http://youtu.be/Dbf2CJIicRk)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/9096842991_1affa499da_b.jpg

It appears that the developer is none too happy with a contractor over this project.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/3855934


The developer of the Aloft hotel in Deep Deuce is suing a Tulsa contractor alleging months of delays and damages exceeding $1 million during the fabrication and installation of concrete panels.
New Century Investments, led by Jim Thompson, alleges in the suit filed in Oklahoma County District Court that Tulsa Dynaspan started the job with “inadequate” manpower and equipment. The suit also alleges that when Dynaspan's delays caused a steel contractor to drop from the job, Dynaspan promised to cover the additional work.

Instead, New Century alleges Dynaspan submitted an invoice for final payment without completing its own work or starting steel erection. The suit also alleges Dynaspan changed field superintendents on the job five times before abandoning the site when New Century withheld final payment of $149,450.

Here's a better link: Aloft hotel contractor sued over $1 million in alleged damages | News OK (http://newsok.com/aloft-hotel-contractor-sued-over-1-million-in-alleged-damages/article/3855934)

Welp, this explains why it has moved so slow.

And why would you need to use someone in Tulsa with so many options in OKC in the first place?????

Might have been for scheduling reasons. With all of the construction going on in OKC qualified local contractors might have been booked during the timeframe when the developer wanted to be moving. Also could have been for budget/low bid reasons. If so...welp, that backfired...

Is this company the general contractor?

If not, the general was probably the one that selected them.

Tulsa Dynaspan, the company being sued, is a structural precast concrete supplier. This type of operation is much more advanced than your average subcontractor. There are only a couple of structural precast concrete companies in the state, one being Dynaspan in Tulsa and Coreslab in OKC. These companies do a lot of projects and can stay fairly busy. Therefore it is not unusual, in this case, that the GC ended up working with Dynaspan. In reality, all the precaster does is make the products then ship them to the site where a second sub does the erection. Since these "panels" the article referenced are important pieces of the structural system, any delays delay the entire project.

We had Dynaspan as a sub on a recent project we designed and had several similar issues. However, it was eventually resolved and the project was completed. This must have been an extremely bad situation; these types of disputes don't end up on court all that often.

The opening of this hotel has been delayed at least six months and probably closer to a full year and I'm sure this is the main reason why.

There are tons of ramifications when a big project like this goes so wildly off schedule.

Well, there was also the Texas subcontractor who went bankrupt (unrelated to this project) mid-job and vanished. The job has apparently been very unlucky with contractors.

What are the chances that the contractors of Edge@Midtown are using Coreslab? They seem to be moving pretty fast on their precast garage project...

My favorite vantage of the place from the corner of Oklahoma & 2nd St. looking southeast. Darn lampost from 'The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe' got in my way.
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Aloft Hotel (July 5 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157634561820264/)

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Your tour is always better. Thanks Will.

Wow, Will..

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/9243770793_4bd2587cfa_b.jpg

I am in awe of this, because I think you're the first person to have ever discovered this new angle of our city.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/9246418430_da4b62133e_b.jpg
This looks good with Level on one side and Aloft on the other. It looks dense.

Wow, Will..


I am in awe of this, because I think you're the first person to have ever discovered this new angle of our city.



This shot is decieving, there is a huge parking lot where you see those cars just past the foreground.

This shot is decieving, there is a huge parking lot where you see those cars just past the foreground.

Don't ruin the mood...

:wink:

Sorry if this is such a basic question, but do we have any idea why the lower levels of the north side are open to the elements and the south side is completely bundled up? Are they waiting on something windows or something for that area?

They may not want to completely enclose that area in the summer heat until they can get their HVAC system on-line.

Aloft Downtown OKC Model Room

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/966023_335566986577893_2044843320_o.jpg

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Pretty much exactly like every other Aloft room I've stayed in.

Spoiler alert: Rover hates the A/C unit... :p

Aloft Hotel (July 8 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157634599529036/)

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Spoiler alert: Rover hates the A/C unit... :p

I guess my message is getting through. Lol.

See how they tried to hide it?

I just hate the bathroom sinks and they aren't even trying to hide them. LOL

Yeah, I think I also hate the sinks. Those look terrible.

just a side note, I am in process of finding a new place to move to and it seems like the majority of the "updated" homes Ive looked have those awful vessel sinks. They are TERRIBLE

I must have a totally different style than you guys, because I love the sinks.

I like looking at them more than using them. I think they might work better if you're tall or they lower the cabinet they sit on. But, for a few days in a hotel, they'd be just fine.

I must have a totally different style than you guys, because I love the sinks.

Me too and I think they are very in line with Aloft's general modern aesthetic. A flush mounted sink would look out of place there.

The A/C is fugly though. Really cheapens the room.

The A/C is fugly though. Really cheapens the room.

I agree. I never thought I would feel so strongly about how bad the a/c looks.

Rover FTW!

It also looks like the little "bench" thing they have extending over the AC Unit would actually greatly inhibit access to controls and even airflow. Unless the controls are on the wall somewhere (appears to just be a plug in unit, though.)

Rover FTW!

:Smiley173

meh, ya'll are majoring on the minors. The AC unit isn't that bad. If they didn't have it there and had the climate system centrally controlled then people would complain about that. I think the rooms look nice.

meh, ya'll are majoring on the minors. The AC unit isn't that bad. If they didn't have it there and had the climate system centrally controlled then people would complain about that. I think the rooms look nice.

Central systems can have precise individual room control.

And yes, the AC unit IS that bad. It is noisy. It is inefficient. It is placed in a position to not provide good air flow and distribution. The unit protrudes through an opening in the wall. Most PTAC's do not attach to a central condensation removal system, and often drip condensation down the building exterior, which over time creates a staining problem which is hard to remedy. Most fresh air dampers, if even provided, don't work well and are unfiltered outside air and because of their positioning bring in car exhaust and street level odors. These units don't handle humidity very well.

BUT....they are cheap and easy to install.

This type of unit is not usually used in hotels where repeat guest visits are the objective and where high guest comfort is a requirement. Generally, they are preferred in budget tourist hotels/motels.

Overall, A Loft rooms are OK, but not considered luxury. It is what it its...a nice middling level hotel.

I know some think I am obsessed with the AC, but the AC system is indicative of the understanding and commitment to quality of the owner/developer has. It is like a person's shoes...if you buy cheap shoes you are probably wearing cheap clothing. If you scrimp on something so important to the building integrity and the user's comfort, then you probably found lots of other places to cut.

In the end it probably depends on their rates, too. No way I'd pay more than $150 in OKC for a room that featured wall A/C units.

Rover FTW!

I'll admit I had never thought much about through wall HVAC until reading Rover's posts on the subject. He is absolutely correct about it though. I was surprised by the amount of noise and heat dumped onto the sidewalk of a hotel I recently stayed. Consider me a convert to his way of thinking - I am surprised Aloft has this type of system.

meh, ya'll are majoring on the minors. The AC unit isn't that bad. If they didn't have it there and had the climate system centrally controlled then people would complain about that. I think the rooms look nice.

Most modern day hotel climate control systems are controlled by motion, among other things, to save energy. One time we stayed at an Aloft about 3 years ago in Broomfield CO. We went to sleep that night, and the lack of motion was enough to cut the A/C off. Mind you this was in June, and yes Denver gets hot. So every two hours into sleeping I woke up in a sticky sweat, and had to walk around to kick on the A/C.

So while I definitely understand the aesthetic concerns, every choice is going to have some sort of positive or negative when it comes to these things.

Most modern day hotel climate control systems are controlled by motion, among other things, to save energy. One time we stayed at an Aloft about 3 years ago in Broomfield CO. We went to sleep that night, and the lack of motion was enough to cut the A/C off. Mind you this was in June, and yes Denver gets hot. So every two hours into sleeping I woke up in a sticky sweat, and had to walk around to kick on the A/C.

So while I definitely understand the aesthetic concerns, every choice is going to have some sort of positive or negative when it comes to these things.

No, MOST are not motion sensitive. In this case, your hotel either had a very cheap building management system or it was operating improperly. An occupancy sensor that controls setback shouldn't create those situations. Again, this is part of what makes a quality facility or not. There are a thousand ways to cheapen up a building, most of which common people unfamiliar with construction would never know about. Imagine if they ignore these kinds of obvious things that they also cheapened up in other ways. While some on here just look at the aesthetics as signs of quality buildings they are missing the real issues that will result in low rates, low occupancy, maintenance problems, etc. If you want a sustaining building in downtown OKC, do not let the builders get by with shortcuts and short range savings. We want a city with long term viability. I hear the fear of rolling slums in the suburbs, but trust me, it can and does happen in urban cores too.

Don't get sucked in by the "hey, it looks cool so it must be good" argument.

I like looking at them more than using them. I think they might work better if you're tall or they lower the cabinet they sit on. But, for a few days in a hotel, they'd be just fine.

That is my opinion too, betts. If all you have to do is look at them they are fine. They are just not convenient to use unless you are very tall. I have stayed in hotels with those kind of sinks and always hated them.

The green insulation panels (or whatever they are) are the most interesting thing about this building.

most of which common people unfamiliar with construction would never know about.

Interesting choice of words. It seems to me you could have said the same thing without the word "common".

Interesting choice of words. It seems to me you could have said the same thing without the word "common".

Common, as in engaged in normal everyday affairs not Involved in construction. It is much more common to not be interested and involved in the details of construction than to be involved. The common, or normal person has no real insight into what makes good or substandard construction.

Do you have another definition of common other than normal or usual?

Common, as in engaged in normal everyday affairs not Involved in construction. It is much more common to not be interested and involved in the details of construction than to be involved. The common, or normal person has no real insight into what makes good or substandard construction.

Do you have another definition of common other than normal or usual?

No, I don't, and I understood what you were saying. I just said you could've said the EXACT same thing without using the word common and you wouldn't have come off as someone who feels he is superior to the "common" people. Oh well, let them eat cake, huh?

No, I don't, and I understood what you were saying. I just said you could've said the EXACT same thing without using the word common and you wouldn't have come off as someone who feels he is superior to the "common" people. Oh well, let them eat cake, huh?

I think you are a little carried away with your own negative interpretation of "common". To stretch the context of the word the way you have is uncommon. "Uncommon" can be things like paranoid, having an inferiority complex etc. Are you common, or uncommon?

I for one take pride in being a common person with some uncommon interests and experiences in the construction industry. I do feel like an uncommon person and superior to many when it comes to understanding building quality and the products that go into them. I might be a construction elitist, I guess. Never thought of it that way.

But, I don't want to be politically incorrect. Sorry if I offended you. :dontgetit I should have been able to guess that in keeping with your moniker which is a play on a book about teenage angst and rebellion that there was keen sensitivity to social structure and classes. Pardon my insensitivity on this important issue and forum.

I should have been able to guess that in keeping with your moniker which is a play on a book about teenage angst and rebellion that there was keen sensitivity to social structure and classes.

Actually it's a book of humorous baseball anecdotes by Bob Uecker so you may need to revise your psychoanalysis of me.

P. S. I apologize for hijacking this thread. Back to the Aloft

Actually it's a book of humorous baseball anecdotes by Bob Uecker so you may need to revise your psychoanalysis of me.

P. S. I apologize for hijacking this thread. Back to the Aloft

That's funny!

Ok guys, here's a burning question that's been bugging me for awhile...

I've noticed some people pronounce Aloft the same as the regular word aloft (UH-LOFT')... as in, the plane was aloft.

However, I want to pronounce it (and do) as A'-LOFT. That is, long A sound with the stress on the first syllable.

Does anyone else pronounce it my way?

Actually it's a book of humorous baseball anecdotes by Bob Uecker so you may need to revise your psychoanalysis of me.

P. S. I apologize for hijacking this thread. Back to the Aloft

LOL. So I see you are unaware of the genesis of the title used by Bob Uecker. Even better.