here is a little update on this project from last nights Urban Neighbors meeting. the developers spoke ..

they plan to break ground in april and will take 18 months construction ... about 6 months behind LEVEL apts ...

will have 140 rooms with a 809 sports bar a coffee shop a WXYZ bar and a L bar (lobby) all owned by the hotel side walk dining all along 2nd the length of the property ...

it will have a multi story (w/ outside terrace) restaurant space for lease

it will have a work out facility that will sell memberships to area residents

it will have a 2 story parking garage behind and built into the hill .. so it will appear to be 1 story from the 2nd street side along with some surface paking on the west end of the lot

it will have meeting rooms and a roof top terrance for events ..

also a Huge (10 foot) neon very cool aLOFT sign will be outside the east end by the sidewalk ..

this is a very cool project and they are very excited to get started

The surface parking on the west end between the hotel and the mini-park. Do you know if it's going to be a lot, or minimal parking? I'm assuming minimal, or hoping it is anyway.

Thanks very much for the update, Boulder.

I know Aloft always has their bars/lounges on the ground floor but not having something like this on the top level is a big missed opportunity for this property. The views of the skyline will be unrivaled.

Glad to hear they will be offering memberships to their workout facility, as that will be a nice amenity to those in the area.


What about a pool??

ah .... pool ... they will have a fireplace in the lobby that will be 2 way with the outside facing the court yard that will have a pool and hottub

Thanks very much for the update, Boulder.

I know Aloft always has their bars/lounges on the ground floor but not having something like this on the top level is a big missed opportunity for this property. The views of the skyline will be unrivaled.

Glad to hear they will be offering memberships to their workout facility, as that will be a nice amenity to those in the area.


What about a pool??

The flip side of that is that they will be using the street life as part of the "urban feel." If it was all on the roof....well, you get the idea. My other thought is that since they are are going to use the rooftop terrace for meeting rooms and special event rentals, that will make for an impressive spot for many things. You are so right about the downtown views.

I don't know, Mike..I'm a huge sucker for rooftop skyline views when done right. But realistically, there have been a surprising number of such rooftop terraces popping up all over downtown. Steve Mason put an amazing one in over the 1000 Broadway block. Cafe do Brazil's and the OKCMOA's are still legendary. Nonna's has always had a nice one with a beautiful view of Bricktown with a skyline backdrop. I agree that the view from this Aloft could perhaps rival the breathtaking skyline view from the okcmoa.

Boulder, did McKowns say that LEVEL will have a fitness center? He was either going to include it in that development or work a deal with another nearby gym. It sounds like LEVEL's gym will be across the street.

don't remember anything about a gym in level .. but i could have missed it .. or you could be right it could be in this project across the street

I was told there will be some sort of fitness center on 2nd street to the west of the restaurant, but don't know if they've changed their mind. The leasing office will go there as well.

You mean the restaurant in LEVEL or the Deep Deuce Bar & Grill/Sage area?

The restaurant in LEVEL. It was on the plans I saw, immediately to the west of the restaurant.

Quick question:

I can't figure out which way the main length of the hotel will run from the rendering. I assume it will be on the south side of 2nd, facing north, so as to better interact with the Levle Apartments. However, the way the rendering looks it seems that it could be on the west side of walnut facing east. Anyone know?

Either way, it will be a great addition!

Quick question:

I can't figure out which way the main length of the hotel will run from the rendering. I assume it will be on the south side of 2nd, facing north, so as to better interact with the Levle Apartments. However, the way the rendering looks it seems that it could be on the west side of walnut facing east. Anyone know?

Either way, it will be a great addition!

It will be in the SW corner facing north like you originally thought.

I stayed in the aloft hotel in Dallas over the past weekend. It was a wonderful hotel, huge room, great amenities and secured at a reasonable price. I look forward to this coming to OKC.

New renderings:
http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2011/02/16/new-aloft-hotel-renderings/

Nice, very very nice. I like these way more than what we were originally shown.

Nice, very very nice. I like these way more than what we were originally shown. I agree. It looks very urban and sophisticated.

Two thumbs up.

Nice, very very nice. I like these way more than what we were originally shown.

Me too, how did that happen? Usually we see the best pic first and the watered down pic when it is ready for construction.

Very impressive, this hotel will be a huge success, may need to start booking rooms now.

Me too, how did that happen? Usually we see the best pic first and the watered down pic when it is ready for construction.

Very impressive, this hotel will be a huge success, may need to start booking rooms now.

Funny you say that because I clicked the link fully expecting to be let down and seeing something like this:

http://www.cardcow.com/images/set361/thumbs/card00389_fr.jpg

I like those renderings much better. All of the other hotels they have look like that. The originals didn't. The original looked like a Babalonian garden.

That's what I'm talking about!!! AWESOME!!

Lookin' good.

Come on, guys. Surely someone has something bad to say about it. That's not like you. LOL

^^^
just so you aren't disappointed, I preferred the original renderings.

Those look really good.

great looking .. that will make a wonderfull hotel and gateway to bricktown

great looking .. that will make a wonderfull hotel and gateway to bricktown

I think it makes a better gateway to Deep Deuce.

Really like that rendering. Glad to see dowtown getting a true modern design hotel.

There will be a lot of white, between it and the LEVEL apartments. I'm not a huge fan of white, but I must admit that in the picture it looks better than the pinky-beige of the original renderings. I don't know if that will be the case when it is actually built, but I'm also quite sure my opinion is irrelevent.

There will be a lot of white, between it and the LEVEL apartments. I'm not a huge fan of white, but I must admit that in the picture it looks better than the pinky-beige of the original renderings. I don't know if that will be the case when it is actually built, but I'm also quite sure my opinion is irrelevent.

I think Jim Thompson, Ron Bradshaw, and Richard McKown care a lot more about what neighbors think than other downtown players. I think these projects will build Deep Deuce into a neighborhood in which the sky is truly the limit. The entire Deep Deuce neighborhood, from the BNSF tracks to I-235, could soon become one of the best urban districts in this part of the country. When we see the last bits of infill go in, and the modernist architecture finally becomes cohesive and no longer divided by vacant cow pastures and abandoned buildings, I think we'll see a paradigm shift. It will become obvious in OKC that not only is urban and impressive possible, but it can be viable too. There will be a huge presence of diversity in the neighborhood, and it will be extremely active. I just think there's a tremendous amount of excitement building up in Deep Deuce for the future. We do a lot of bickering on this board about whether the cost of the brownstones or other pioneer urban properties are worth it, and I think the value of those properties will be redeemed when the neighborhood builds up around them.

Deep Deuce could legitimately be "finished" in 5 years (excluding however many decades it takes Canfield to finish The Hill). That's the reality, now. It's going to be contingent on OCURA deciding it wants to unload all of its remaining land in the district, and repossess and rebid all of the parcels that Somerset failed to develop in the Deep Deuce Apartments.

I agree Spartan. I'm very excited about my neighborhood. It's already a fun place to live, but when I imagine it essentially finished, it's very exciting. And I think the Hill will probably get a lift from more people, more restaurants and a grocery store in the neighborhood too. It's not my idea of the perfect urban development, but it's OK.

I must admit, though, after a week in Chicago I just wish we had developers who would build row houses like they're building. They're all different but blend and the architectural styles are very appealing. Some are for sale in their entirety and some have single floors for sale. If it weren't for the winters, I'd be tempted to move there. We only got in a car once and walked or rode the bus all week. They think a four block walk to a bus stop is being close to public transit.

Passing by the "Public Inebriate Alternative Center" (drunk tank) last night, I had a chance to visit with the gentleman in charge. He said they have been notified of a June 1st move date to the Linwood site, he also confirmed that actual construction of the Hotel will commence prior to that date, as the drunk tank sits on what will be the parking lot.

On another note, I looked inside and was shocked to learn that there is NO security to speak of. The building was divided into Men's and Women's sections separated only by a conventional door. In the rooms were rows of bunks reminiscent of an old Army hospital ward, spaced about two feet apart. The young man running it was very fit but completely unarmed. In case of an uprising he has to call for Police support.

Reminded me of an Andy Griffith set - but at least Barney had one bullet.

Passing by the "Public Inebriate Alternative Center" (drunk tank) last night, I had a chance to visit with the gentleman in charge. He said they have been notified of a June 1st move date to the Linwood site, he also confirmed that actual construction of the Hotel will commence prior to that date, as the drunk tank sits on what will be the parking lot.

On another note, I looked inside and was shocked to learn that there is NO security to speak of. The building was divided into Men's and Women's sections separated only by a conventional door. In the rooms were rows of bunks reminiscent of an old Army hospital ward, spaced about two feet apart. The young man running it was very fit but completely unarmed. In case of an uprising he has to call for Police support.

Reminded me of an Andy Griffith set - but at least Barney had one bullet.

"Passing by", that is what we all say when we stay the night there. lol

Anyway, thanks for the updated info. June 1st a few months away but good news for the move.

Yeah, you're a real OKC Talk trooper for going to the drunk tank just to ask some questions for us. Of course, that's what I'd do if I got thrown in...just start talking the officer up about the development in the surrounding neighborhood..

Ever hear of taking one for the team? Besides, it wasn't my fault, I was "over served". :kicking:

Starwood has a hotel in Dallas called The Joule..
http://www.thejouledallas.com/
I really wish OKC would have something as nice as this.. I have never been in such a nice hotel.. I definately suggest staying here if you ever stay in Dallas..

I stayed there once and it's really nice but VERY expensive. You can get the same experience at the W for half the price. Both have great pools.

What is the latest on the Aloft hotel?

I thought March was the start date for this project.

What is the latest on the Aloft hotel?

I thought March was the start date for this project.

I'd heard April. But I also heard they would only be doing dirt work until the Drunk Tank is moved. Maybe there's a delay in moving it. There is no dirt work going on, which is a shame. It would be nice if they could make a mess at the same time as LEVEL.

Someone posted on here that during a "visit" to the drunk tank, the guard/officer told him they were moving in June to the new location.

I think Steve also said that they would start in June or July.

Dirt work could start now though on the south side of 2nd.

$16 million building permit applied for today for Aloft site.

Work should start soon!

Wooo!!!

Yay! The Inebriate Alternative is still in business. I wonder if they're actually going to be able to move June 1.

the inebriate facility .. was sold from the city to Urban Renewal to Aloft developers along with a quick claim deed at the tuesday council meeting ...


i would guess that work will start very very soon

I've been watching. There are still cars parked at the Inebriate Alternative, and I haven't seen any moving trucks. Hopefully that will happen very soon. I'm ready for construction. I'd like it all to occur as close together as possible, since it's already a pain to drive around the area and there's lots of dust whipping around.

The Inebriate Alternative still seems to be operational, but there is a very large backhoe on the property now, some of the fence has been taken down and all the parking on the south side of the street is blocked off. So, it looks as if demolition or site preparation is going to begin soon.

It will be amazing how this perspective of the city changes in the next 9-12 months. I think this is a catalyst infill project to get the momentum re-started.

Asphalt is coming up today. They've added a construction fence to the west side of the property and the site is full of people and trucks. Looks like it's on its way.

I drove by about 30 minutes ago and saw the same thing betts did. That area will be great when the construction is over.

Glad to see they have finally broken ground.
Here is a quick pic I snapped from my window showing today's progress.
Looks much better already...


http://members.cox.net/bstipes/aloftFar.jpg

Thanks for the photo!

The ALoft is going to have a huge impact on that area and can't wait for it to open.

Nice to see them razing that parking lot. Looks as if the Detox Tank has yet to be brought down. I can't wait to see this area blossom and I will not be traveling down Walnut for Thunder games, lol.

They put signs up for the hotel on the east and west ends of the property. It's going to blend really well with LEVEL, looking at the pictures.

And, looking at the pictures in closer detail tonight, the main entrance will be on Walnut, with two sidewalk cafes on the 2nd St. Side of the hotel. There is a very small amoung of parking picturd west of the hotel....about six spaces and you can see images of a two story parking garage south of the hotel.

And, looking at the pictures in closer detail tonight, the main entrance will be on Walnut, with two sidewalk cafes on the 2nd St. Side of the hotel. There is a very small amoung of parking picturd west of the hotel....about six spaces and you can see images of a two story parking garage south of the hotel.

This will be a super development. Do you know if the timetable is still what they originally announced?

This will be a super development. Do you know if the timetable is still what they originally announced?

Their website says opening in 2013.

You would hope they could open late 2012... It seems like that would enough time to get this hotel done, no?

Regardless, when Aloft and LEVEL are done this area has amazing potential. I could see some bars and clubs opening in this area as a sophisticated alternative to Bricktown. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together...

These two developments are the kind of catalyst that area needs to take it to the next step. Very exciting.

Here are a couple pics of the new signage in front of the Aloft lot that betts mentioned earlier:


Looking West
http://members.cox.net/bstipes/aloft_east.jpg

Looking East
http://members.cox.net/bstipes/aloft_west.jpg