Some photos from today courtesy catch22:



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It's a shame about that garage. If Aloft is a beauty, that garage is the beast. At only 2 levels they could have buried it or had some kind of simple frontage to hide it. Or even set it back enough to lease the street frontage to someone that wanted to build/develop a little place between two great districts...

Do we know if a future developer of the place to the south in this pic will be able to lease spots in this garage for customers?

Regarding the garage, the renderings do show some type of screening and landscape.

But of course, it will still just be a dead space.

good to know

good to know, haven't caught that

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/11802374455_7ff3160431_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/11802374455/)
East Downtown OKC (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/11802374455/) by lazio85 (http://www.flickr.com/people/77483833@N04/), on Flickr

There were event coordinators from Aloft at the bridal show at the Cox Convention Center yesterday and two of them agreed that Aloft is to open for business in late February.

The Hilton Garden Inn is definitely going to beat them to opening date, as they are getting very close -- already have all their furniture.

I think end of February is probably still a bit ambitious for Aloft; that's only six weeks and they still have tons of work to do.

I peeked through the windows yesterday. Everything is sheetrocked, but not painted. Light fixtures are in, at least in the bar area. Depends on how hard they want to work as to when it will be done. But, at this point, whatever. I'm just happy to have the sidewalks back. It does look as if there will be extensive landscaping on the exterior and not just a few small plants or shrubs. There are some very deep planters and they're all getting watering systems.

This project will be an awesome asset for DD and OKC entirely! I think I'll book a room here just to support them and see what it is like and buy all of my food from Native Roots. Maybe I can see what it is like to live an urban lifestyle for a day or two.

The only downsides I can think of is no HVAC and no granite facing, other than that, this is great!

Last night I was thinking about this project, and I realized that when the construction began I was about 6 away from getting married. Now, we have celebrated two anniversaries and have a child due in March. So he may arrive before this hotel opens.  In my eagerness to stay here, the Mrs. and I took a trip and stayed at the Aloft in Frisco last month. I really liked it, especially the pet friendly part. This is a great addition to DD!

Legit question... my sister is coming to OKC from NYC for my daughter's graduation in May. I was wanting her to stay at this hotel (and presume it will be open) and experience Deep Deuce. You think I can just have her book at a normal time as May approaches? Or do you think I should have her book very early to avoid any kind of "rush" from locals trying it out and what not? Does that happen in hotel biz (e.g. the Dairy Queen/Krispy Kreme crowds)?

Legit question... my sister is coming to OKC from NYC for my daughter's graduation in May. I was wanting her to stay at this hotel (and presume it will be open) and experience Deep Deuce. You think I can just have her book at a normal time as May approaches? Or do you think I should have her book very early to avoid any kind of "rush" from locals trying it out and what not? Does that happen in hotel biz (e.g. the Dairy Queen/Krispy Kreme crowds)?

Yes, that does happen. Imagine all of the other people who have sisters and others visiting who will want them to stay there. But you should be able to get a room.

Legit question... my sister is coming to OKC from NYC for my daughter's graduation in May. I was wanting her to stay at this hotel (and presume it will be open) and experience Deep Deuce. You think I can just have her book at a normal time as May approaches? Or do you think I should have her book very early to avoid any kind of "rush" from locals trying it out and what not? Does that happen in hotel biz (e.g. the Dairy Queen/Krispy Kreme crowds)?Well, if this helps at all, I wasn't planning on staying there until late summer ;)

We just had aloft in our kitchen (Sysco Oklahoma) going over some menu options. It seems their opening date has been pushed back to March.

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We just had aloft in our kitchen (Sysco Oklahoma) going over some menu options. It seems their opening date has been pushed back to March.

Yeah, I peered into the windows late last week and though I have no idea of the condition of the rooms and upper floors, I can say confidently that there is no way the first floor is fully finished anytime in February, much less in time to train staff. March seems possible though.

Opening set for March 13; taking reservations starting April 4th:

Starwood Preferred Guest - Hotel Offers and Loyalty Program spg.com (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3623&EM=DWR_AL_ALOFTOKCDOWNTOWN.COM_3623)

Opening set for March 13; taking reservations starting April 4th:

Starwood Preferred Guest - Hotel Offers and Loyalty Program spg.com (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3623&EM=DWR_AL_ALOFTOKCDOWNTOWN.COM_3623)

only 3 years late! not too bad really.

Opening set for March 13; taking reservations starting April 4th:

Starwood Preferred Guest - Hotel Offers and Loyalty Program spg.com (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3623&EM=DWR_AL_ALOFTOKCDOWNTOWN.COM_3623)

Do they wait to take reservations to work out the kinks?

V45KkjZmJrg

Saw my first google ad for this today. Laughed as the thought ran through my brain ... guess it's for real now.

Some photos from https://www.facebook.com/downtownokc.

Note the view from the large outdoor terrace that faces the skyline. This will be meeting space -- the main bars will be on the first two levels of the lobby.

But from the terrace, Devon Tower is almost completely obscured. Weird.

The picture of the corner room and spiral staircase are of the two-story suite located on the top NW corner.



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Eyes immediately drawn to the Santa Fe Garage.

It would be nice if the construction was full time. Am I the only one who has noticed that the timeline is waaaaay too long for a building this sized?

It would be nice if the construction was full time. Am I the only one who has noticed that the timeline is waaaaay too long for a building this sized?

No, you're not.

No, you're not.

True. I think it's been mentioned 256 times here to be exact. ;)

What a lot of people don't know is that this property was running out of money to finish the hotel. They attempted to bring on board a management company named Peach Tree Management from Georgia to run the hotel and be part owners, but the company found some inconsistencies and backed out. I have a couple of friends familiar with this situation.

Tonight is the first night I've seen the red, yellow, and blue accent lights lit up.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft012514a.jpg


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Cool!

Do those larger boxes shift colors?

Cool!

Do those larger boxes shift colors?

I walked by twice this evening and didn't see the colors change, but it looks like they are still working on the lights.

Also, here's another shot from the other direction.

6418

Also, here's another shot from the other direction.

6418

Great shots. Glad to see it light up, will look good with hotel room lights on and people walking around. So glad to see this project finally wrap up.

I could see this all the way from Hudson and Kerr, walking to the MOA for a movie, and I was like, what the heck is that? Didn't realize there would be lighting. Way cool.

The blue lines can be clearly seen traveling northbound on 35/235. Contrasts nicely with the bright red letters of the Hilton Garden Inn. Couple of nice new lights in our skyline.

The Aloft lines give a nice nighttime place marker for DD.

The wxyz bar in this hotel is a going to be a homerun as a gather place.

Not really a complaint, but the LEDs were incredibly bright coming east on Kerr/2nd last night. Almost blinding. I'm guessing/hopeful the can slightly modulate the brightness after they get everything set up and dialed in. They also cast a large amount of light onto neighboring buildings (check out DD Apts in one of the photos) and into neighboring windows. Hopefully not so much that neighbors take issue. Not trying to be negative; just an observation. They look fantastic though.

I echo Urbanized's post.

The LEDs are pleasing to see, giving some much needed color to downtown. However, they are somewhere close to hitting obnoxiously bright.

One of the great things about LED's is they are very easy to control.

I'll find out if they plan to turn them down a bit.

Not really a complaint, but the LEDs were incredibly bright coming east on Kerr/2nd last night. Almost blinding. I'm guessing/hopeful the can slightly modulate the brightness after they get everything set up and dialed in. They also cast a large amount of light onto neighboring buildings (check out DD Apts in one of the photos) and into neighboring windows. Hopefully not so much that neighbors take issue. Not trying to be negative; just an observation. They look fantastic though.

I live in the first DD Apt on the north side of 2nd, third floor. I haven't noticed the lights from inside the apartment the last couple of nights they've been on. I'm sure the residents at Level might be impacted, though.

Yesterday, I had a conference call with the General Manger of the Aloft, along with their executive chef and sales director. They are a fun and enthusiastic group!

For those who have not stayed or hungout out an Aloft or W Hotel, they work very hard to set themselves apart by being fun, casual and hip. Very different than most hotels.

Here is a summary:


Opening / Rooms / General





Opening is still set for March 13th and they are on track. Aloft features polished concrete floors and exposed duct work in most common areas, so things come together pretty quickly at the end.


To book rooms before April, call the hotel directly. They'll take your reservations with some caveats about the possibility of not being fully up to speed.


Rates are seasonal but for a trational room: $169-229; “Savvy” Suite +$60; “Ultra Savvy” +80; and 2 story Presidential Suite (on the top two floors facing northwest) is $750 per night, 2 night minimum.


The rumors about Jim Thompson (owner/developer) living in that two-story space – or anyone else living in the hotel full-time – are false. :)


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6349d1390581470-aloft-hotel-aloft012314b.jpg


More exterior lighting to come!


There will be no retail other than Aloft's Restock; small sundry items mainly for hotel guests.


There will not be a separate coffee shop (now integrated into the for-lease restaurant space).



Bars / Dining





There will be three main bar areas, all under the Aloft wxyz brand. 1) Main lobby; 2) 2nd floor lobby (these two are connected by a large opening and spiral staircase; and 3) the “Round at the Rooftop”; the open terrace and adjoining indoor space on the west end, top level with large TV's for game days.



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The bars will serve food until 11PM and drinks until 1PM, but of course, the hotel is open 24/7.


There will be made-to-order breakfast and lots of grab-and-go options and coffee/expresso starting at 6AM every day.


You can order food in the bar areas on the 1st and 2nd levels; Round at the Rooftop will have a limited menu.


Emphasized that their brand is very bar-heavy and want to attract a big local crowd. Said they are very much beverage first, food second.


They are looking forward to building a quality nightlife scene with WSKY and Urban Johnnie.




Top Floor / Meetings





Everything on the 6th floor is for private meetings and events, and the rooftop terrace will often be leased out as well. When it isn't leased, it will be open to the public.


10,000 sqaure feet of meeting space on the top floors with large windows for great views in all directions.


They are already booking events and said demand has been strong.



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Restaurant Space for Lease



Restaurant / retail / coffee space on the far west end of the ground floor is now all combined into one leaseable area, with adjoining patios.


Negotiating with a few different possible tenants.


Want them to integrate full coffee service.



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OKC's Aloft is much better than Denvers'

Sounds like a major game changer to the area, especially when Steel Yard, Mosaic, and both Maywoods open up (+ everything else that is going to fill-in Deep Deuce).

Awesome that the rooftop Terrace is open to the public…those will be great views. Is there going to be anyway to check and see if it is closed to the public on certain days, or will it be a thing where you have to just go to find out?

Is there going to be anyway to check and see if it is closed to the public on certain days, or will it be a thing where you have to just go to find out?

You would will probably have to call.

You can bet it will be leased a good percentage of the time.

Is there any information available about the seating capacity for the event space based on different seating configurations?

Also, is there a grand piano?

I had it from an excellent source that Jim Thompson was going to move in there. Perhaps something changed. I was also told he sold his home and for about a month or two this fall he lived in one of the brownstones. It made sense that he was living there temporarily until Aloft opened, but I haven't seen him or any lights on for awhile. Who knows what happened.

A couple showing the emerging urban fabric on NE 2nd:

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I had it from an excellent source that Jim Thompson was going to move in there. Perhaps something changed. I was also told he sold his home and for about a month or two this fall he lived in one of the brownstones. It made sense that he was living there temporarily until Aloft opened, but I haven't seen him or any lights on for awhile. Who knows what happened.

Maybe the construction sounds in the wee hours got to him

that, or the choo-choo trains!

that, or the choo-choo trains!

Wait, wait, wait! Torea was building the Aloft and live in it!?!?!?!

Wait, wait, wait! Torea was building the Aloft and live in it!?!?!?!

Where is that guy? Lol

I was the former DOS there, and I can confirm that the owner did plan on living in the top suite. He had a kitchen and everything designed for the spot, along with doors upstairs that opened up to the rooftop bar. However, the general contractor talked him out of it cause they knew that Starwood would not be happy when they found out what he was doing. It was a mess for a while, until they finally talked him out of it.

From today courtesy catch22.

Note the stainless steel columns going up on the outside. And that last photo is an awesome little urban scene along 2nd. Will be even better with OKSea.

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Regarding the last picture, I am just really tall. I did not trespass on the railroad line, who would do that? :)

Regarding the last picture, I am just really tall. I did not trespass on the railroad line, who would do that? :)

Man! That is an awesome last photo!! You sure picked an awesome day--temp wise--to snap some pics!

Awesome pic indeed

They were laying pavers in e sidewalk at 6-7pm today. Someone must have realized they're behind schedule....

They were laying pavers in e sidewalk at 6-7pm today. Someone must have realized they're behind schedule....

Aloft is behind schedule? No.....

I believe they will hit their March 13th opening date, which is just over a month away.

They seem to be moving pretty fast now.