Depending on which rendering I'm looking at, it just doesn't look like it fits under the "urban title". But, we have to start somewhere (as in making more modern buildings).

Huh? It's a multilevel building with street interaction (e.g., coffee shop, restaurant) that goes out to the curb. Again, how is this not "urban?"

The overgrowth of trees to the south of the property, where the parking garage is going to be, needs to be trimmed back.

The overgrowth of trees to the south of the property, where the parking garage is going to be, needs to be trimmed back.

That's where all our neighborhood birds roost. I'd hate to see it too manicured.

Huh? It's a multilevel building with street interaction (e.g., coffee shop, restaurant) that goes out to the curb. Again, how is this not "urban?"

this

Depending on which rendering I'm looking at, it just doesn't look like it fits under the "urban title". But, we have to start somewhere (as in making more modern buildings).

I am also confused by this.

Let's start with this: There are 2 renderings of the Aloft in this thread, which one is correct? I simply think one is urban, and the other one is not.

Well, the design with the white aLoft is what is being built... The problem with your analysis remains. Both designs were urban, but I could see how you could be mistaken by the first design because it did not clearly show the location of the building to the street. While there are two designs, they were functionally the same.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/misc/aloft.jpg

This is the old rendering. The new rendering is based on this, but with some slight revisions and improvements made. Most people think the new design is more tasteful.

I found detailed schematics on the web and have attempted to illustrate the main components below.

It's a bit disappointing that the main bar / lounge will be on the east side on the first and second floors, as here won't be any type of view from there. The terrace shown on the 6th floor is part of the meeting space.


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

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

GROUND LEVEL
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft1.jpg

EAST END OF SECOND LEVEL (the rest of this floor is guest rooms)
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft2.jpg

WEST END OF 6TH LEVEL
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft6a.jpg

EAST END OF 6TH LEVEL
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft6b.jpg

These are the new renderings.

I concur. I like the changes made in the new rendering. It's going to be a great addition to an urban neighborhood (it feels good to say that).

Yeah, doesn't happen very often..

From Metro:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft42512.jpg

is it me, or is this project moving really slow?

This. I understand that it's an insanely tedious process to get a project started, but damn... They are moving at an absurdly slow pace.

For not being huge, this is a pretty complicated project.

I suspect they will start to pick up the pace now that most the foundation work is in place.

is it me, or is this project moving really slow?

Billy, Good things take time. Also the building is on a slope and the foundations will be split level, so that adds some complexity to it. Level wasn't as tall, so it didn't have to add as much support infrustructure.

Level was entirely stick built, with the exception of the parking garage. This is all poured concrete and rebar. And, if you actually look at the structure as it stands, it's not just four walls and level, as noted above. They're working there every day.

I thought I would offer some insight from a civil engineering educational background, hope this answers some previous questions about the pace of the building's construction. I referenced the University of Memphis Department of Civil Engineering below:

1266

During the first week to 10 days of curing it is important that the concrete not be permitted to freeze or dry out because either of these, occurrences would be very detrimental to the strength development of the concrete. Theoretically, if kept in a moist environment, concrete will gain strength forever, however, in practical terms, about 90% of its strength is gained in the first 28 days.

Aloft's foundation was placed in the beginning of November 2011. Depending upon the time line of construction events they may be a little behind, but not by a considerable amount.

On most of my projects in Vegas, once the podium was poured, they were pouring one to one and a half floors per week.

On most of my projects in Vegas, once the podium was poured, they were pouring one to one and a half floors per week.

Isn't membrane curing more routine in LV, rather than water curing?

Are they water curing the Aloft? I would also assume membrane is most common because it is easier and cheaper, but still effective. Not to mention how rapidly water Evans in Vegas.

I know little about concrete construction but I know I've walked on many upper concrete floors in Vegas which seemed to be wavy.

Then you need to stay in better hotels there. Lol.

Then you need to stay in better hotels there. Lol.

Either that or I need to stay away from the bars.

From today; Aloft starting to take shape:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft5112.jpg

You can really start to get a sense how Aloft is going to dominate that interesection. It is only 2 stories in that photo and it is already a prominate feature and it still has 5 more stories to go. NE2 is going to have a pretty good streewall along that block.

What you see now is pretty much the full footprint of the building.

The indention on the south side is for the pool; just south of that, all those concrete piers are for the parking garage.

The 2-level bar on the east end is going to become quite a spot IMO.

Subbed...

Is the parking garage going to block the view of downtown from the pool?

Is the parking garage going to block the view of downtown from the pool?

NM...was thinking of Level...

NM...was thinking of Level...

the answer is yes for both projects

Crain up at this site between the building and the parking deck

Crane up at this site between the building and the parking deck

I was beginning to wonder if this project was going to have a crane, glad they finally did. :Smiley199

Does anyone know if this construction is causing the street lights to be out on 2nd Street?

Does anyone know if this construction is causing the street lights to be out on 2nd Street?

I believe that's the reason. That's what I was told anyway.

I was agreeing earlier with the poster that it is a problem (I do believe street lighting is vital to public safety which people have a right to expect downtown), and pointing out the countless other areas where the city is not turning the lights on despite the street lights existing. This was a problem in Film Row for a long time until the city finally got around to turning them on, after months of criticism even from Steve Lackmeyer on the issue.

I agree that temporary lighting needs to be a concession made with building permit applications in this area. It's very routine for urban building permits to come with accommodation strings attached (ie., a sidewalk guard, maintaining street/ped access, etc).

Why was my post deleted? I was agreeing earlier with the poster that it is a problem (I do believe street lighting is vital to public safety which people have a right to expect downtown), and pointing out the countless other areas where the city is not turning the lights on despite the street lights existing. This was a problem in Film Row for a long time until the city finally got around to turning them on, after months of criticism even from Steve Lackmeyer on the issue.

I agree that temporary lighting needs to be a concession made with building permit applications in this area. It's very routine for urban building permits to come with accommodation strings attached (ie., a sidewalk guard, maintaining street/ped access, etc).

Nobody can give a straight answer...who should I contact?

Looks like some pre-fab panels were going up on the second floor today.

Looks like some pre-fab panels were going up on the second floor today.

Yup, something's going up.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/uptheundagrnd/photo-2-1.jpg

Looks as if some progress has been made - even since this picture! I'll try to snap one to put on here. I am very excited about this hotel opening up.

Photo from Urban Pioneer showing the portico for the Aloft... The project is starting to take shape:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft61212.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1617&d=1337174535

the ramps for the parking garage have been started

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/7559019766_f4691ed62f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7559019766/)
aLoft Hotel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7559019766/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7559025090_b54676c8f7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7559025090/)
NE 2nd St (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7559025090/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7559030246_20c229cd52.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7559030246/)
NE 2nd St & Oklahoma Ave (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7559030246/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr

I walk by this every day going to and from work. If you ever want a photo or something just let me know.

I walk by this every day going to and from work. If you ever want a photo or something just let me know.

If you have the chance, could you snap a photo of the grocery store going in at Level?

The next floor is starting to go up now. It won't be long before it's taller than LEVEL.

Why am i the only one that thinks this project is moving so slowly? It seems as if they have been working on this forever, with nothing really getting done. It certainly has been at a much slower pace than LEVEL.

Why am i the only one that thinks this project is moving so slowly? It seems as if they have been working on this forever, with nothing really getting done. It certainly has been at a much slower pace than LEVEL.
Agree 100%.

Agree 100%.

LEVEL used a much faster method of construction. Except for elevator shafts and the parking area, I don't recall seeing much concrete or steel construction, mainly wood. aloft, on the other hand, is using mainly concrete, which takes longer.

Driving down I-235, you can see the top of the second floor slab, just briefly. When this next floor is added, it should be much easier to spot from a distance.

LEVEL used a much faster method of construction. Except for elevator shafts and the parking area, I don't recall seeing much concrete or steel construction, mainly wood. aloft, on the other hand, is using mainly concrete, which takes longer.

Exactly. Aloft is a structure that will be around for a long long time. It does worry me a bit about the longevity of Level with it being stick built

Why am i the only one that thinks this project is moving so slowly? It seems as if they have been working on this forever, with nothing really getting done. It certainly has been at a much slower pace than LEVEL.

You are most certainly not the only one that thinks this. It may be just you and me, but I guarantee you are not alone in that, haha.

Exactly. Aloft is a structure that will be around for a long long time. It does worry me a bit about the longevity of Level with it being stick built

I agree about LEVEL. My father built high rise apartment buildings in the 60s and 70s and he would never have considered building without steel framing. His buildings are still in great shape 50 years later.

But, having a bird's eye view of Aloft, they're building it the right way and if that means it takes awhile to complete thats just fine. Haste isn't always a good thing.

Their target date for opening isn't until April of '13 anyway. They're coming along at a standard pace I'm sure.

Their target date for opening isn't until April of '13 anyway. They're coming along at a standard pace I'm sure.

It was originally January; it doesn't matter though, it's going to be a great breath of life to put deep deuce over the top.

...and you know they're going to have some cool lighting on the outside.

Downtown is just becoming more and more vibrant!

They still on the 2nd level or have they picked up the pace a bit?

3rd level, a lot of this just went up very recently. They brought in a bunch more of those giant concrete slabs today.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/uptheundagrnd/photo1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/uptheundagrnd/photo2.jpg

Precast concrete structures (other than parking garages) are pretty unusual in these parts. Cool.

I was at an Urban Neighbors meeting a few months ago where ALOFT made a presentation and they said opening date was June 2013