All good things take a while

It really looks as if the exterior is almost complete minus some landscaping. It's getting really close.

Judging by all the planters and their depth, I would expect the landscaping to look great. All I can see that they've got to finish on the outside of the structure is the pillars and what I assume is signage.

I believe most the guest rooms have been complete for awhile.

They are really done to some outside finishes and the lobby; both should go fast now.

I believe most the guest rooms have been complete for awhile.

They are really done to some outside finishes and the lobby; both should go fast now.
They were getting deliveries of mattresses all day on Saturday which leads me to believe that the rooms are pretty much done.

All good things take a while
I'm going to remember you said that, Spartan. It might be a useful quote to bring back up in the future. :D

They were getting deliveries of mattresses all day on Saturday which leads me to believe that the rooms are pretty much done.Are they doing memory foam or spring? I stayed at a Country Inn in Port Charlotte, FL and they memory foam mattresses and they were awesome.

Incidentally, the website now says "Hotel Opens April 17. Taking Reservations May 8, 2014."

Ugh. This is going to end up impacting my sister staying there in late May...

Do they mean they won't even take a reservation until May 8 or you can't book a room prior to May 8th? They're starting the landscaping and there's hardly anything else left to do on the exterior. It looks like it will be done soon.

Incidentally, the website now says "Hotel Opens April 17. Taking Reservations May 8, 2014."

Ugh. This is going to end up impacting my sister staying there in late May...

How does a May 8th availability impact your sister's late May stay?

First, because the opening has been delayed (on the website) from Jan to Feb to Mar to Apr, so it isn't unrealistic to think it might get delayed again. Second, because I was wanting her to stay there within a couple weeks of the currently scheduled opening, but due to the close proximity to the opening, she might not be able to due to what might be a "rush" on rooms in the first few weeks (that others in this thread mentioned could happen). Up to now, each time it has gotten pushed back I've thought, oh, there's still plenty of time before she comes, but now there just isn't, in relation to the opening.

It's not a huge deal. But she lives in NYC and I was hoping she could experience the best we have to offer in urban density while she was here.

Way to jinx it Shawn! SMH, lol.

(also, last time she was here in Dec '12 I pointed at Aloft and said, "that's where you should stay the next time you're here, it'll definitely be done by then")

Ouch.

First, because the opening has been delayed (on the website) from Jan to Feb to Mar to Apr, so it isn't unrealistic to think it might get delayed again. Second, because I was wanting her to stay there within a couple weeks of the currently scheduled opening, but due to the close proximity to the opening, she might not be able to due to what might be a "rush" on rooms in the first few weeks (that others in this thread mentioned could happen). Up to now, each time it has gotten pushed back I've thought, oh, there's still plenty of time before she comes, but now there just isn't, in relation to the opening.

It's not a huge deal. But she lives in NYC and I was hoping she could experience the best we have to offer in urban density while she was here.


(also, last time she was here in Dec '12 I pointed at Aloft and said, "that's where you should stay the next time you're here, it'll definitely be done by then")

If worse comes to worse, put her at the Ambassador.

If worse comes to worse, put her at the Ambassador.

Very good point, but it may be a moot now. Tonight at the Urban Neighbors monthly social, which was held at the Hilton Garden Inn (which I was impressed with BTW), I won the door prize. Which was a free night stay.

Very good point, but it may be a moot now. Tonight at the Urban Neighbors monthly social, which was held at the Hilton Garden Inn (which I was impressed with BTW), I won the door prize. Which was a free night stay.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll269/hellojackgoodbyeson/gif/16h57yr.gif

They just need to have it open by the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals.

I'm going to remember you said that, Spartan. It might be a useful quote to bring back up in the future. :D

Sure. Go for it.

They just need to have it open by the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals.

Speaking of which, if we make the finals again this season, it will be great to see if there are any reactions from the media types by all the things that have happened over the last 2 years.

They need to be open by the big 12 wrestling tourney. Big block of rooms for that week

They need to be open by the big 12 wrestling tourney. Big block of rooms for that week

The Big 12 wrestling Tournament is in Norman and is a one day event. However, The NCAA Wrestling Championships will be held at Chesapeake Arena and is a 3 day event that is sold out for all sessions. Just an FYI.

The Big 12 wrestling Tournament is in Norman and is a one day event. However, The NCAA Wrestling Championships will be held at Chesapeake Arena and is a 3 day event that is sold out for all sessions. Just an FYI.

You are correct I miss spoke meant ncaa's

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft021714a.jpg

Landscape is mostly in now.

The got some of the landscaping done out front in the last week and the sidewalks are completely open for use now.

I seriously can't believe that The Ambassador Hotel in midtown is going to open before A-Loft. They are slated for March 10th.

From 2/22/14:


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/12711711073_260af91ca8_c.jpg



http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/12711700803_17ea3b62f5_c.jpg



http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/12711985884_1acb77ce20_c.jpg



http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/12711536365_0bff20b20c_c.jpg



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/12711962574_8c189a672d_c.jpg

Are there any plans to paint the exterior of the garage?

I believe the garage will be screened on all sides.

Drove by Saturday night and the lighting looks killer. Adds a lot to the skyline as well, because it can be seen from I-40.

I don't like the sidewalks. Very narrow to begin with and the planter boxes they have built force walking to the curb edge and there is base platforms in the middle the sidewalk for the streetlights in the center of the natural walk path.

Kind of like that random streetlight in midtown, but not as extreme.

^

There will be ample patio space on the other sides of those planters which will add a great deal to the street.

Just heard from the operators of the Aloft that their official opening date is now April 17.

Just heard from the operators of the Aloft that their official opening date is now April 17.

What year? :wink:

Outside looking relatively finished as they push towards their April 17th opening date.

I actually believe that date this time because I know the staff is going through training at the hotel the first two weeks of that month.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft031114a.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft031114b.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft031114c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft031114c.jpg
[/center]I would love to buy this building and turn it into a 24hr Donut/Coffee shop with a mini convenience store having a rooftop patio.

I would love to buy this building and turn it into a 24hr Donut/Coffee shop with a mini convenience store having a rooftop patio.

The Donut/Coffee shop is a cool idea.

Or you could build a hotel there and call it B Loft.

Love the donut/coffee idea. Don't even need a rooftop patio. There is an excellent one right there. Just needs the brush cleaned up and the concrete re-poured.

...Or you could build a hotel there and call it B Loft.

Like

The Donut/Coffee shop is a cool idea.

Or you could build a hotel there and call it B Loft.That would be a hilarious way of working a front operation at Aloft....

just walk up and ask for the b loft special

Starwood's legal department probably would not share our enthusiasm.

Also been pleading for something to be done with this building. Most recently...

https://twitter.com/shawn_wright/statuses/435191507902287872

Glimpse inside the lobby thanks to shawnw:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft031114d.jpg

With all these hotels available now I can stop staying in Norman on every trip back.

Starwood's legal department probably would not share our enthusiasm.

Okay, I've got a better idea then.

A restaurant with only single tables for single diners. Call it 'Just Me.'

No one likes to dine alone because you feel looked down up by all the other diners like there's something wrong with you. But sometimes dining alone is your only option. For some it may be a preferred option. This is the place for them. Call it Just Me because when you walk into a regular restaurant as a single diner the hostess asks if others will be joining you and your answer is "Nope. Just me."

Okay, I've got a better idea then.

A restaurant with only single tables for single diners. Call it 'Just Me.'

No one likes to dine alone because you feel looked down up by all the other diners like there's something wrong with you. But sometimes dining alone is your only option. For some it may be a preferred option. This is the place for them. Call it Just Me because when you walk into a regular restaurant as a single diner the hostess asks if others will be joining you and your answer is "Nope. Just me."

They have that, it's called TGI Friday's at the airport...

Some new photos from their Facebook page:



https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1962651_448183471982910_1430333293_n.jpg


https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1912497_448183541982903_1676516639_n.jpg

...No one likes to dine alone because you feel looked down up by all the other diners like there's something wrong with you. ...

Oh, so that's why. all these years, I thought it was because I was so durn funny looking.

There's a bigger indoor pool, right? That thing only looks twice the size of the Ambassador pool.

There's a bigger indoor pool, right? That thing only looks twice the size of the Ambassador pool.

Nope, that's it.

It's more for standing around and sipping cocktails than swimming.

Oh, so that's why. all these years, I thought it was because I was so durn funny looking.

Buddy, you are NOT ALONE. I have thought the same thing... not about you, but about me. :)

From their FB page:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10013684_449380158529908_1348784558_n.jpg

I would love to buy this building and turn it into a 24hr Donut/Coffee shop with a mini convenience store having a rooftop patio.

Like

Any word on a restaurant operator yet?

No, I don't think they've signed a deal yet.

I know they were looking for a very specific type of operator who would be open for breakfast and then late as well.

They said they had several fish on the line.

No, I don't think they've signed a deal yet.

I know they were looking for a very specific type of operator who would be open for breakfast and then late as well.

They said they had several fish on the line.

I keep wishing the Local (from Norman) would move up here.

I went up with my boss a couple days ago to grab some of our Valet signs that were up there to use temporarily at another property. I snapped a pic of the lobby and when we got back in the car he told me that pic better not end up on OKC TALK.

lol... I guess he knows he pretty well.

I went up with my boss a couple days ago to grab some of our Valet signs that were up there to use temporarily at another property. I snapped a pic of the lobby and when we got back in the car he told me that pic better not end up on OKC TALK.

lol... I guess he knows he pretty well.

Ha!

Why would he care if it was posted here?

We are on very good terms with the people running that hotel -- I've talked to them directly several times and they are happy to share info and like it when we post photos.

This is why I have no boss.

I went up with my boss a couple days ago to grab some of our Valet signs that were up there to use temporarily at another property. I snapped a pic of the lobby and when we got back in the car he told me that pic better not end up on OKC TALK.

lol... I guess he knows he pretty well.

Was it you that told us that you got fired for getting pics atop the Colcord?