Uh-loft.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDK03s1IxEc

I never heard of Brickhuggers... but I like them already.

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

Seriously? Did you assume that because you'd never heard of the Bob Ueker book that I'd never heard of the one 1000x more famous or at least hadn't made the connection between the two? What's it like to think you're smarter than everyone, not only in construction, but in life in general?

@dtOKCbuilds: Aloft in @DeepDeuce has all of its windows. Anticipated opening Fall 13. #okc http://t.co/9vsRM4qtiK

4122

Very hard to believe this will be open by the fall.

Sooner the better!

Uhhh, pretty lofty to pronounce it with a long A...

http://youtu.be/IGJMBSGZ35g

Photo from yesterday...

Note the decorative roof is about halfway done now:

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Did they run out of concrete for the parking garage?

I think they are trying to get the pool and back of the hotel finished before they put up the garage.

I imagine that part will go very fast.

This is a really great development. I love how it's turning out.

The garage will primarily be pre-fabbed deck and other members made of pre-stressed concrete, delivered by truck and lifted into place. It will only take a matter of days to assemble. No rush.

From today via Aloft OKC's Facebook page:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1151047_349065515228040_1877416860_n.jpg

The Aloft in Charlotte had a bar on the top floor overlooking the city. Does anybody know if this one is going to have that?

The Aloft in Charlotte had a bar on the top floor overlooking the city. Does anybody know if this one is going to have that?

I think it will, someone mentioned it earlier in the thread

Only meeting space on top floor.

See labeled renderings and floorplans in article at top of the page

Only meeting space on top floor.

See labeled renderings and floorplans in article at top of the page

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=258868427581083&set=pb.220817891386137.-2207520000.1376326547.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-frc1%2F859151_258868427581083_1177560595_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash2%2F521555_258868427581083_1177560595_n.jpg&size=2048%2C586

Caption says "Panoramic view from our future Outdoor Rooftop Bar & Lounge"

if they do not have a rooftop bar then that was a huuuuge mistake. perfect place to go have a cocktail with a great view.

if they do not have a rooftop bar then that was a huuuuge mistake. perfect place to go have a cocktail with a great view.

The truth is in post #40...lol

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=258868427581083&set=pb.220817891386137.-2207520000.1376326547.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-frc1%2F859151_258868427581083_1177560595_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash2%2F521555_258868427581083_1177560595_n.jpg&size=2048%2C586

Caption says "Panoramic view from our future Outdoor Rooftop Bar & Lounge"

Still believe that will only be for events, not a general open-to-the-public permanent type of thing.


And BTW, I walked by there yesterday and they still have a loooong way to go on construction. No way they are open this fall.

Still believe that will only be for events, not a general open-to-the-public permanent type of thing.


And BTW, I walked by there yesterday and they still have a loooong way to go on construction. No way they are open this fall.

Yeah, I think it will probably be more like Spring 2014...

From tonight (Tuesday 8/13).

Took a bunch more I will be posting later.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft81313.jpg

From Today 9/5/2013

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Link to the photostream for bigger pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/plupan/

They're pouring the concrete drive this morning.

Thanks so much for the photos.

This is still one of the slowest moving construction projects of all time.

It really looks good though! I like that it has the same colored roof in the lobby entrance!

It really looks good though! I like that it has the same colored roof in the lobby entrance!

That same pattern is on the underneath side of the roof..... quite cool.

That same pattern is on the underneath side of the roof..... quite cool.

That's what he was saying...

Yes and I just realized that the first photo does not belong in this thread. It was for the Hilton Garden Inn. Sorry about that.

Aloft Hotel (September 9 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157635576609892/)

Thanks Will!

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I noticed this weekend that they were starting to do more work on the parking structure to the south of the hotel. Are we expecting a Spring 2014 opening now?

I got more photos yesterday of Mosaic. Not sure who he was but he had a hard hat and seemed like a contractor. He saw me taking photos as he pulled up and he asked, "You're not taking photos of anything bad are you?" I told him what I do and I happened to mention how behind schedule Aloft is. He went on about how it affects contractors and costs everyone money. Coming straight from him (who isn't associated) but he said it would likely be Spring next year.

I got more photos yesterday of Mosaic. Not sure who he was but he had a hard hat and seemed like a contractor. He saw me taking photos as he pulled up and he asked, "You're not taking photos of anything bad are you?" I told him what I do and I happened to mention how behind schedule Aloft is. He went on about how it affects contractors and costs everyone money. Coming straight from him (who isn't associated) but he said it would likely be Spring next year.

I don't know why, but that is just a bit unsettling to me.

Maybe they are finally picking up the pace but Spring of 2014 would put this project one full year behind.

Anyone know what material is being used for the black trim?

Anyone know what material is being used for the black trim?

It was to be granite but they did a change (and received approval from design review) to painted EIFS, which now essentially covers the entire building.

I can't imagine black EIFS is going to hold up well to the elements.

Sure wish they would have stuck with granite.

It looks like plastic granite.

Aloft (September 16 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157635590080856/)

Saw the twin to this building in Denver a while back. It was in more of a commercial/industrial area off of I-70 than in an entertainment district. It was odd, because I thought this product was supposed to be mostly leisure, but this was definitely strictly a business corridor. It too was all EIFS.

Oops. Not the twin; it is much larger footprint & entrance is configured differently. But same off-white/black EIFS. It is near the airport off of I-70:

http://www.denver.org/images/memberimages/Cropped_553x300/22574_20091009_22574_aloftdia.jpg

Looks good.

I've seen the same design on one of their properties in the Dallas suburbs and it looks good as well. I really don't get the kneejerk reaction some have on here againt EIFS. When maintained properly it looks great even in our climate. I really don't see Starwood letting their W brand succumb to poor maintenence.

Looks good.

I've seen the same design on one of their properties in the Dallas suburbs and it looks good as well. I really don't get the knee-jerk reaction some have on here against EIFS. When maintained properly it looks great even in our climate. I really don't see Starwood letting their W brand succumb to poor maintenance.

EIFS is a cheap alternative to properly doing it. It MAY look okay for 5-10 years, but will start to suffer and LOOK cheap after that. It isn't just a matter of "maintenance". It is a quality of construction issue.

Is there any chance they could come back and redo the EIFS with granite later on?

EIFS is a cheap alternative to properly doing it. It MAY look okay for 5-10 years, but will start to suffer and LOOK cheap after that. It isn't just a matter of "maintenance". It is a quality of construction issue.

I've heard this pushed on here several times with little to no facts to back it up.

I've been in Uptown Dallas on several occasions as my sister lives in the area and seen a lot of the residential properties that were built in the late 1990's with EIFS. Honestly, they look fine and very well maintained. Of course I am well aware that there has been issues with EIFS on single family homes but this is a steel and concrete built structure.

It would be nice if they did granite, but the developer got F'ed over by his concrete contractor and is now nearly a year behind, and probably bleeding money to boot. Cut the guy a break.

Is there any chance they could come back and redo the EIFS with granite later on?You know, I have no clue why I said redo the EIFS, what I meant was, remove it entirely, and replace it with granite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BiRhn4qX2I

Aloft Hotel (September 9 2013) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BiRhn4qX2I)

Nice... You should do a video of the Skydance Bridge at dusk when it lights up! That would be really cool.

I've heard this pushed on here several times with little to no facts to back it up.

I've been in Uptown Dallas on several occasions as my sister lives in the area and seen a lot of the residential properties that were built in the late 1990's with EIFS. Honestly, they look fine and very well maintained. Of course I am well aware that there has been issues with EIFS on single family homes but this is a steel and concrete built structure.

It would be nice if they did granite, but the developer got F'ed over by his concrete contractor and is now nearly a year behind, and probably bleeding money to boot. Cut the guy a break.

So, it is okay if it is cheapened up if it was mismanaged? That would sure let a lot of developers off the hook.

I've heard this pushed on here several times with little to no facts to back it up.

EIFS is generally more subject to cracking and separation for many reasons. It is affected by UV which makes it more brittle. As a laminate type surface with underlying strata of mesh, wood, etc., which expand and contract a different rates and are of different rigidity, it tends to produce more cracking and breaking in climates where there is extreme hot and cold (can you say Oklahoma). As well, if not installed properly and moisture drainage is not right, then moisture removal is a problem. This is one of the issues with through the wall air conditioners which create many, many openings and seams where moisture can infiltrate behind the surface and not be drained properly. Also, staining can be a problem (already a problem at the Level). EIFS can be repaired and maintained, but the costs will be higher and if the property has any operational financial difficulties then owners tend to ignore the maintenance to keep it in top shape. All in all there are many potential problems which EIFS can create over time. It has improved over time, but still does not replace granite and many other natural facings, or even brick properly installed.

I'm no fan of EIFS, but I found it interesting just now when I looked at the Denver Aloft that I posted that it also appeared to be EIFS... ...and that it had individual below-window HVAC units. It made me curious, so I went out and did Google Image Searches for "Aloft Hotel" + the names of cities that most of us would probably consider world-class, or at least "major"; Denver, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, Portland, NYC, Charlotte, Miami, Nashville, Phoenix. The VAST majority appeared to be very similar to this one (though most are bigger). The ones that were not adaptive re-use of an older building seemed to largely have been built with EIFS, with similar color combinations, AND nearly all of the properties had under-the-window air units. Even in we-can-only-aspire-to-this urban environments.

So while I agree that I would like to see more of a focus on quality finish, it seems OKC would be almost unique among cities in requiring no EIFS or in doing the same regarding the HVAC units.

I hope no one is under the impression Aloft is a premium hotel brand. Yes, they use ptac units and cheaper material as their rooms generally don't command premium prices. Plus, most are in suburbs and business areas.

Maybe everyone else is good with EIFS, but I think we should aspire for better more sustainable urban construction in the core area.

I don't disagree; just pointing out that other (including world-class) cities are dealing with the same encroachments. While I agree that OKC often (usually?) does a mediocre-to-poor job of holding developers to high standards, these two construction elements do seem to be pretty widespread phenomena.

I hope no one is under the impression Aloft is a premium hotel brand. Yes, they use ptac units and cheaper material as their rooms generally don't command premium prices. Plus, most are in suburbs and business areas.

Maybe everyone else is good with EIFS, but I think we should aspire for better more sustainable urban construction in the core area.

When you are the developer then "WE" will be behind you...

When you are the developer then "WE" will be behind you...

So, you only support developers' opinions and values and are good with whatever they decide to do or are you just trying to take a shot at me? LOL. Not even remotely asking you or anyone else to get behind me, but offering an observation on the construction quality and expectations of certain hospitality brands. But, you bring an interesting comment prompting me to ask...Just how many wolves do you have watching your hen house?

FYI, I have been integrally involved with the hotel industry in the US and internationally for about 25 years on the construction side. So, I am only sharing my perspective and experience of what I have seen. You are free to agree or not. If everybody else is happy then I am ecstatic.

Rover, I don't know what world you live in, but my meaning of "WE" is that we as a collective of those who demand better construction quality in downtown OKC or anywhere in OKC for that matter can't really do anything about it unless one of us is heading a project.

I'm not picking at you, but you might need to go ahead and take a chill pill, k?

Glad you're on the construction side and have the experience. Totally not disagreeing with you. Just your broad use of the term "WE". Like "we" on here can do anything about it, other than protest.

Based on comments from Steve 'we` have had an impact on the improved offerings from local developers. Sometimes when the public demands better we get better.

And the more knowledgable "we" are then the more proper our expectations are and the more we can demand the right things. We should all share info and insight from people who are experienced and knowledgable. There are a lot of good resources on this board.

October 3 2013

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Thanks for the photos as usual. But I must say, I am sick of Aloft pictures. This project is like a bad dream during a coma. It will never end.