I really think we are going to start to see financing loosen up soon.

Banks HAVE to loan money in order to make any and many have received a lot government funding and are expected to put that money to work out in the communities. Of course they are all a bit gun-shy but that's mainly because most of them were so completely capricious in the past -- and mainly with residential homes and condos.

More and more hotels, shopping centers and office buildings seem to getting funding approvals. It may take one more year but there is no doubt things are turning around.
We have been extremely busy for the past 6 months and have more and more "dirt and a dream" proposals that we have been working on in the Austin and San Antonio areas. Some seem real close to moving forward.

Yes, this is the official line. Which relates to Pitman and Bricktown how..?

Just saying financing isn't a slam dunk like people think. As long as the developer is borrowing money to complete the project there is a risk of it not going forward. I see lots of good hospitality prospects still not being funded yet.

Well I'm not sure, but I would imagine Pitman has more than just the $7M profit he made on the Hampton deal. It's hard to tell just how much would need to financed, but it does seem like if someone in the world could possibly be a "slam-dunk" in getting a loan if such a thing existed, it would be Pitman..

Followed by someone wanting to build rentals downtown, of course. :-p

It is amazing to me, that in the land of brick, we see so much EIFS. If you combined some metal and glass with brick, you could get a nice modern look that would blend in quite well in bricktown.

http://www.catfishbilly.com/images/brick-glass-metal.jpg

I am in favor of the brick and glass modern look. Great example. I think this would work well in Bricktown.


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/bricktown/newhotels1_800.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/bricktown/newhotels1.jpg)

My main issue with the project is that it looks exactly the same as the Hampton but with a different color of brick. They gotta do more than that. Throw some glass in there. Even that example of a Sheraton adds some varied depth to the facade that would make it different enough.


But the stated desire is that everything in RedBricktown look the same.

No it's not! I don't know why you are so cynical lately. Blame it on Obama I guess. There is plenty of room for a variety of architecture in Bricktown while still incorporating brick elements. Just because the committee doesn't like EIFS doesn't mean there aren't other options available.

I would be in favor for a EIFS (stucco), steel, glass modern look (I am not convinced that the above picture isn't just that).

Do we know that is actually brick?

No it's not! I don't know why you are so cynical lately. Blame it on Obama I guess.

Maybe. However, I did suggest that maybe Bricktown relax some of the brick standards and that idea got shot down by, well, everyone.

Maybe. However, I did suggest that maybe Bricktown relax some of the brick standards and that idea got shot down by, well, everyone.

Kerry, it's just a list of priorities... I think it's more important that right now we focus our attention on getting the new Goodwill Donation Center warehouse to locate in Heritage Hills, helping Norman's Campus Corner gain an OSU spirit shop, getting Focus on the Family to set up an office at 39th and Penn, and attracting some Memorial Rd-style strip mall retail to the new boulevard. After all of those priorities have been met, then, and only then, do we have the time to help Bricktown get some EIFS non-brick buildings. Then it'd be nice to have a central park surrounded by a convention center.

So see, we're really not all that against your idea, after all..

If there is one hotel I've always wanted to see in Bricktown, it's Embassy Suties. Although the Reniassance is somewhat similar. But Embassy Suites is my favorite hotel chain. Would definitley stay a few weekends a year and spend the night out downtown.

Not exactly in Bricktown, but is this close enough?

In Thursday's Oklahoman there was a blurb that said construction could begin on an Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center (NE 8 & Phillips). The Urban Renewal Authority granted an extension giving them until July 15 to "commence construction of the $25 million, 196 room hotel"

I think it's close enough. Although it's across the Broadway Extension, I see this area as a natural extension of our downtown core, personally. I think, especially if ultimately there's mass transit available to the Health Sciences Center in the form of a streetcar, that while it would obviously offer lodging for people being seen at the Health Sciences Center or with families admitted there, it could serve as overflow for downtown events as well.

I just hope they actually do get the project off.

I just hope they actually do get the project off.

OCURA extensions don't inspire confidence in me.

OCURA extensions don't inspire confidence in me.

Haha, very, very true.

Does anyone know who the Architect of Record was on the Hampton Inn?

As sucessful as the Hampton inn has been I think it would be an amateurish type move to take the approach that it worked with a similar design lets do it again! That is not the way it works. Each hotel should have its own identity in form and articulation.

Does anyone know who the Architect of Record was on the Hampton Inn?

It was a firm in Madison, Wis.

As sucessful as the Hampton inn has been I think it would be an amateurish type move to take the approach that it worked with a similar design lets do it again! That is not the way it works. Each hotel should have its own identity in form and articulation.

Unless they're just wanting to make it a continuation of the Hampton Inn, especially with how close it's going to be to the Hampton Inn.

I know, lets just make a giant Hotel Court (similar to a food court) with multiple brands under the same roof!

Are there any updates for this project?

Not exactly in Bricktown, but is this close enough?

In Thursday's Oklahoman there was a blurb that said construction could begin on an Embassy Suites in the Oklahoma Health Center (NE 8 & Phillips). The Urban Renewal Authority granted an extension giving them until July 15 to "commence construction of the $25 million, 196 room hotel"

I like them too, as a rule, but they seem to vary in service and quality more than some chains.

Here are the latest renderings courtesy of the latest Bricktown Urban Design Agenda, which can be found here (http://okc.gov/planning/index.html) to the right of the page: OKC.gov (http://okc.gov/planning/index.html)


http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/6163/unled1vw.png

Nice find. Looks better with the darker brick.

The change in brick color makes it a lot more acceptable to me. I like it.

Thanks Architect2010!

In the same meeting minutes, the proposed patio bar south of Mickey Mantle's on the grassy lot is discussed.

Maybe we should create a thread on it.

No problem!

Actually. Turns out that isn't on the grassy lot in Bricktown. It's actually on the north side of the canal at 103 E California. The proposed all-outdoor patio bar would be constructed at canal level on the built-in patio areas that are part of the canal architecture. I think this is really neat because I've always found those spaces awkward and unused.

Look to page nine of this PDF (http://www.okc.gov/planning/planning_library/bricktown_ud/11-00003.pdf) for further reference.

Looks better but still boring as hell.. It definitely fits in with 'brick'town.

Eh... yup. That'll do. Standards met. Spartan happy.

That wasn't so difficult, I guess. Why can't more projects "correct themselves" like this?

Sorry about that :doh: That might be a better spot for it anyway, leaving open the possibility of a more substantial building on the grass...

Will we ever live to see hotel/condos like this?

http://www.urbancondospaces.com/olive-8-condos

http://www.urbancondospaces.com/files/2010/08/olive8.auction.jpg

Will we ever live to see hotel/condos like this?

http://www.urbancondospaces.com/olive-8-condos

http://www.urbancondospaces.com/files/2010/08/olive8.auction.jpg

Not in Bricktown; Core to Shore perhaps?

Agreed. And it's a neat concept that'll hopefully bring some more life onto the actual canal-walk. Interesting I think.

These newer renderings are definitely better than last proposed and it looks a quite bit more detailed than it's counterpart to the west; although still pretty similar.

I'm still pretty worried about the stair-stepped effect of the matching EIFS on the hotel buildings next to each other...I'm afraid to have a ribbon of EIFS. I hope it doesn't look that way..

But that would be going beyond what should be the requirements of a building in Bricktown, and I'm at least glad and ecstatic that this project certainly meets requirements for tasteful, urban projects. So I'm going to stay positive there and not criticize anything about the design!

And yeah, I want hotels like that too, Will. Perhaps we should just steal it? It's in Seattle...

Will we ever live to see hotel/condos like this?


http://www.urbancondospaces.com/files/2010/08/olive8.auction.jpg

How about the Ford Dealership site.. One on the westside of the property, another one identical to it on the east side with landscaping between the two towers to connect the Gardens and Central Park. One tower could be Condos/Apartments and the other tower could be Commercial/Business. Just a thought.

I was just in Seattle and saw that building, the blue top really made it stand out. Would love to see something like that here. But I doubt it will happen any time soon.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5611728267_851fce0358.jpg

The new design for the hotel is definitely an improvement. Can't wait to see it built.

On a side note, I believe it was in this thread that there was much talk about the building codes in Bricktown. Why couldn't something like the attached picture ever work down there? I found this building in the Gastown area of Vancouver (an area very similar to Bricktown IMO). I thought it fit in well and made an older area look modern and fresh. Thoughts?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5612310772_2fafdd4c5e.jpg

I agree that more glass should be incorporated into future Bricktown buildings in a way that accents the bricks without dominating them.

I think there is great potential for buildings like this at the Stewart Metal site or the body shop site north of McDonald's.

The new design for the hotel is definitely an improvement. Can't wait to see it built.

On a side note, I believe it was in this thread that there was much talk about the building codes in Bricktown. Why couldn't something like the attached picture ever work down there? I found this building in the Gastown area of Vancouver (an area very similar to Bricktown IMO). I thought it fit in well and made an older area look modern and fresh. Thoughts?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5612310772_2fafdd4c5e.jpg


I would have to agree that I think something like this would work very well in Bricktown. The glass portion manages to simultaneously look somewhat modern, while giving a nod to European train station style. Couple that with the brick buildings adjacent and I think it looks great.

I concur that OKC should incorporate more Vancouver urban design (as many other cities that OKC looks up to has - see Austin, Charlotte, Seattle, Denver, San Diego, more - all benchmarked Vancouver).

I do have one question, looking at the canal-side cafe. I don't have a problem with it per-se but I noticed the city badge said 'City of Oklahoma'. ....

Was this a typo or did the badge get cut off somehow?

Another benefit of a glassed-in area like that is that you also create an instant indoor space that allows for access to the floor level retail. What that can create is an instant small shopping area. Small shops lining either side on the inside.

San Antonio took the concept 20 steps further and created a whole mall area this way. But the canal does go through it, so it's apples and oranges, but same basic concept.

Eh... yup. That'll do. Standards met. Spartan happy.

That wasn't so difficult, I guess. Why can't more projects "correct themselves" like this?

I think too many people got hung up on the fact that the applicant's initial presentation was a presentation of ideas, not an actual application. The "correction" was done in a way that really helps... the applicant wasn't out any time or money, they just got to present ideas and get initial feedback. I felt for the applicant and his architect - they were presenting initial sketches and got blasted by some as though they were set on the design... how dare they suggest such things like an EIFS and glass elevator shaft!?!

RE the EIFS: I was worried about a ribbon appearance as well, but since this is 2 floors taller, I think that won't be as apparrent.

I think too many people got hung up on the fact that the applicant's initial presentation was a presentation of ideas, not an actual application. The "correction" was done in a way that really helps... the applicant wasn't out any time or money, they just got to present ideas and get initial feedback. I felt for the applicant and his architect - they were presenting initial sketches and got blasted by some as though they were set on the design... how dare they suggest such things like an EIFS and glass elevator shaft!?!

RE the EIFS: I was worried about a ribbon appearance as well, but since this is 2 floors taller, I think that won't be as apparrent.

I don't think he got blasted...I think a lot of people, early on, thought that this was a refreshing way to reach a community consensus on a downtown project. I certainly appreciated them not coming to the BUDC with a finished plan until they got the feedback from the city..

No problem!

Actually. Turns out that isn't on the grassy lot in Bricktown. It's actually on the north side of the canal at 103 E California. The proposed all-outdoor patio bar would be constructed at canal level on the built-in patio areas that are part of the canal architecture. I think this is really neat because I've always found those spaces awkward and unused.

Look to page nine of this PDF (http://www.okc.gov/planning/planning_library/bricktown_ud/11-00003.pdf) for further reference.

Interesting that this is being developed by Norm Bekoff, owner of Water Taxi...reason for the name Capt. Norm's!!


Anyways, glad to see that large patio finally being used by something. Glad it's going to be used as an outdoor patio for dining/drinking. We need more patio bars and restaurants on the canal side. Just to clarify the location, it will be to the left of Hooters, except at canal level. To the right of where the Dungeon Ride/Haunted Warehouse was located. It's the old Hunzicker Brothers building.

Now if we can just get something on the patio to the west, in the old Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co building, where the old Dungeon ride/Haunted Warehouse was located.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/528360548_797977b72a_z.jpg

Love the name too....Captain Norm's Dockside Bar !!

Sounds like a great watering hole.

I'm still pretty worried about the stair-stepped effect of the matching EIFS on the hotel buildings next to each other...I'm afraid to have a ribbon of EIFS. I hope it doesn't look that way..

I don't think that will be a problem. There will be space between the towers, and the Hampton Inn will be shorter than the Holiday Inn/Homewood Suites.

I wonder if Shakey's is going to be finished any time soon, next to the new froyo place.

Spartan, I must have missed something...what "Shakey's" are you talking about?

Spartan, I must have missed something...what "Shakey's" are you talking about?

Larry, don't take everything that Spartan says seriously.

dang, I keep falling for it too...thanks ljbab728

I meant Sammy's Pizza...I guess I was having a "senior moment."

Probably best that people do not take me too seriously, BUT it doesn't change the fact that there is a pizza establishment going into the Brewer space right between the froyo chain and Capt. Norm's Dockside Bar, and I'm very curious how the pizza establishment is coming along...

gotchya

I wish I could find an Okie Calzone like Sammy's and many of the spawn of Sammy's in OKC down here in Austin.

Hilton Garden Inn is an incredible hotel for business travelers - glad to see one coming to Bricktown. They are competing in that space head-to-head with the Courtyard. In my opinion, they are the best dollar to value hotel anywhere. Jim Thompson (aloft guy) owns one on NWX and May that is a perfect model Hilton Garden Inn. At night, his two hotels there at NWX and May are lit at the edges all the way around in multi-colored neon. Okay, it's probably not real neon gas, but it certainly looks like it, I just I don't know what you call what they use for that look now. Sharp looking hotels at night. But that's Jim, he doesn't do anything half way.

No one has mentioned the fact that the parking garage attached to the Hampton Inn is not brick at all rather painted concrete.

Can anyone explain the strange peaks of brick on the store fronts? It is almost as if the facade was planned for something else.

No one has mentioned the fact that the parking garage attached to the Hampton Inn is not brick at all rather painted concrete.

Can anyone explain the strange peaks of brick on the store fronts? It is almost as if the facade was planned for something else.

Do you mean the arched windows over the "Meeting Hall" building?

Here are the latest renderings courtesy of the latest Bricktown Urban Design Agenda, which can be found here (http://okc.gov/planning/index.html) to the right of the page: OKC.gov (http://okc.gov/planning/index.html)http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/6163/unled1vw.png

No one has mentioned the fact that the parking garage attached to the Hampton Inn is not brick at all rather painted concrete.

Can anyone explain the strange peaks of brick on the store fronts? It is almost as if the facade was planned for something else.

Would you rather them just be plain squares?????

And the parking garage was built long before the Hampton. Do you remember when it was just concrete and not even painted?

You know, something that really is missing from all of these projects is a good cap to the building. You could easily brick to the top and put some design interest in with some capstoning or design or SOMETHING rather than a straight line. Just look over on the north canal at what could be done...and those were just freaking warehouses when they were built! It's always dissapointing when a plain brick wall goes up. But better that than a wall of stucco.

No one has mentioned the fact that the parking garage attached to the Hampton Inn is not brick at all rather painted concrete.

Can anyone explain the strange peaks of brick on the store fronts? It is almost as if the facade was planned for something else.

I was talking about the strange peaks and brick lines on the bottom level of the existing parking deck. They seem so out of place and unplanned.

I was talking about the strange peaks and brick lines on the bottom level of the existing parking deck. They seem so out of place and unplanned.

They were part of the original plan, to be storefronts.

And the parking garage was built long before the Hampton. Do you remember when it was just concrete and not even painted?

I do not. I only moved here at the end of September to train at the USRowing Olympic Training Center down on the river.

wschnitt, thanks for the clarification. Welcome to OKC!

As a side note, it was in Thur's Oklahoman that the Bricktown Urban Design Committee approved the revised plans

Any estimate on when construction could start on this once everything has been approved?

Here are the latest renderings courtesy of the latest Bricktown Urban Design Agenda, which can be found here (http://okc.gov/planning/index.html) to the right of the page: OKC.gov (http://okc.gov/planning/index.html)


http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/6163/unled1vw.png

Will the existing buildings along Sheridan be incorporated into this design?

It almost appears to me that the pic above with the building labeled "Meeting Hall", could be the 3 smaller existing buildings reworked to make this possible.

I know they have cleared the building on the corner of Sheridan and Stiles, but the 3 buildings to the west are remaining and are in better condition than the one that was demolished.