There were three very interesting transactions last month in Deep Deuce and East Bricktown.

They are shown in pink below and labeled 1, 2 & 3. All were purchased by Atul Patel, a prominent local cardiologist.

#'s 1 & 2 comprise about .6 acres and were purchased for a total of about $680K.

#3 is really strange... Purchased from Robert Meinders (owner of the W W Steel buildings and proposed site of the East Bricktown hotel and apartments). Only .63 acres in a very odd location but price was $1.16 million.

I suspect another hotel deal may be in the works for that #3 site and would include the Meinders property immediately west and the OCURA property to the east. He also might be trying to put together a hotel deal on sites 1&2, hoping to acquire the The Wedge property to the west.


In an article about a hotel he's opening in Enid, there was this additional information: "A practicing doctor at Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Patel also owns Enid Best Western, Guthrie Holiday Inn Express, Four Points by Sheraton in Oklahoma City, Holiday Inn Express in Ponca City and “several others outside the local area.”




http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/deepdeuce6.jpg

BTW, the Four Points Sheraton that Patel owns is the one by Quail Springs:

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/3846/R140736045001rA.jpg

The "wedge property" meaning what? The grass to the west?

The "wedge property" meaning what? The grass to the west?

Sorry, I meant The Wedge pizzeria that is just west of the other grassy lot (owned by ODOT).

Sorry, I meant The Wedge pizzeria that is just west of the other grassy lot (owned by ODOT).

Going west from the "1 lot" is a parking lot then the Mahaffey&Gore PC building, then a few old foundations/surface lots, then the Wedge Pizzeria.

Yes, my mistake.

So you think they are trying to get the grass lot or the grass lot+parking or grass lot parking and building?

I did not mean to come across as a smart aleck on this but I want to understand your thinking.

BTW, the Four Points Sheraton that Patel owns is the one by Quail Springs:

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/3846/R140736045001rA.jpg

I don't mind this design if this hotel is built with a smaller footprint but several more stories added. However, if these plans are indeed for more hotels, this area between Deep Deuce and Bricktown seems to be dangerously close to being overrun by hotels. Can none of these be built near the Health Sciences Center or in Midtown? I know that Midtown is getting the upscale hotel from Coury, but the area around the HSC absolutely has a need for a quality for patients' families and visitors. A tall Sheraton similar to the one posted would do very well near the hospital campus I would think...

I'll have a story in tomorrow's Oklahoman.

Ordinarily I would say that the Deep Deuce site is an odd location for a hotel. It's not on a through street, and it's kind of the back door of Deep Deuce. But, if there's going to be one immediately southeast of that piece of land, maybe it's not so odd. I just hope it's not some cheesy EIFS-laden Best Western though. Although Aloft isn't going to have the highest-end exterior materials, it's unique enough to rise above it's composition and certainly well built.

Marriott Springhill Suites east of the Wedge.

Bricktown emerges as a prime hotel corridor | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/bricktown-emerges-as-a-prime-hotel-corridor/article/3708693)

Sounds like my fears have been realized. "Pretty nice" isn't all that reassuring.

Patel said design work is already under way for a Marriott Springhill Suites for NE 1 and Russell Perry, a hotel that will be six to eight stories high with a room count of between 120 to 145.
“It will be pretty nice — it will have a lounge and bar area, conference rooms, fitness center, a pool; it won't be a typical Springhill Suites,” Patel said.


Read more: Bricktown emerges as a prime hotel corridor | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/bricktown-emerges-as-a-prime-hotel-corridor/article/3708693#ixzz268QzFLB8)

*cough*ConventionCenter*cough*

Here's an updated graphic with the latest information:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/deepdeuce7.jpg

great job pete ... . and thanks for the good story steve ....

3 new hotels ... great news for bricktown ... and okc

*cough*ConventionCenter*cough*

Door is quickly closing on this option with all the new development occuring.




It seems even more silly now that there is stand alone Mcdonalds taking up all that space.

Yes, with all this activity little has been happening to the south, along Reno and the new boulevard.

I'm sure that will change very soon.

Good news, but I am not going to get too happy until I see some designs, the way these hotels are designed will make or break Bricktown's emergence as an urban or suburban destination.

Mr. Patel, Please don't Northwest Expressway My Bricktown!

The two hotels on Sheridan & Byers are under the purview of the Bricktown Design Review Committee (boundaries are Reno to the south, I-235 to the east, RR tracks to the west and old RR right-of-way to the north). They've been pretty strict; see the recent many revisions for the Garden Inn / Homewood Suites project that is just starting.

The Springhill Suites site on NE 1st falls under the Downtown Design Review Committee.


Both of these groups operate under specific standards. They've been pretty good about upholding them.

Do both of these lots fall under the BUDC?

Edit: nevermind, Pete read my mind and posted at the same time.

Kind of rhymed....

I just posted a map of all design review districts here:

http://www.okctalk.com/other-urban-development/31681-urban-design-districts.html

Pete, can we shade LEVEL Blue, it is, for all intents and purposes, finished.

Springhill Suites Chicago...

2594

...well, it's nice to dream anyway.

I wonder if Patel would consider doing the hybrid hotel option with the two hotels planned for E. Sheridan, and push the development up to 12-15 stories.

Can we not do another single thread for three separate developments?

Once we have specific plans I'll break them out.

If I were The Hill developers, I'd be very worried how this might impact my next phase of buildings. If this hotel is cheaply built or doesn't fit in well with the neighborhood, I'd be reluctant to move into a $400,000+ home right across the street from it.

If I were The Hill developers, I'd be very worried how this might impact my next phase of buildings. If this hotel is cheaply built or doesn't fit in well with the neighborhood, I'd be reluctant to move into a $400,000+ home right across the street from it.

I never thought that The Hill chose their spot with a view of I-235 thinking all the rest of it was panoramic beauty.

I was in downtown Chicago and the lakefront yesterday, it's amazing how high of quality and very interesting developments are everywhere. Even smaller projects are of incredibly high detail and very well thought through. Aloft is a start and hopefully these are of good quality too, both aesthetically and structurally.

Given the other hotels developed by Atul Patel I can understand the concern over quality. Most of his properties are pretty cheapo suburban stuff.

But I trust the respective design review committees. Not only are their specific standards in place, they've been good about holding developers to them.

I'm sure the Pittmans will tell you they can be real sticklers.

I would like something like this for the E. Sheridan hotels, one 8 story and one 6 story hotel development in Toronto:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Obsceneeyedog/IMG_6174Model90degree.jpg

The design committee will definitely ensure certain standards, but those standards are minimums. Aloft, at least by the renderings and construction plans show a development that is going above and beyond those standards aesthetically at least (I have no experience with structure so I can't speak to that). Modern and creative looking.

I'm definitely afraid of the potential of a boring looking structure that does nothing to promote an interesting and diverse urban environment.

The one hotel near The Hill will have to be pretty vertical because it will sit on only .62 acres.

That alone will make it more urban and I would expect something along the lines of the existing BT Hampton Inn.


Not sure what they are going to do for parking. May have a deal worked out with Robert Meinders for part of the East Bricktown development.

Ideally developers are aware of their surroundings and try and fit their development into a broader landscape. The design of SpringHill Suites ought to be both reflective and contrasting with The Hill and the rest of Deep Deuce. Since it will stick up from the general 3/4 story landscape by up to twice that height, it ought to also play off of Aloft since it will be the closest thing in the district with a similar height.

I think something like this, with maybe a little more glass incorporated would actually serve as a great transition piece architecturally between Bricktown and Deep Deuce

2596

Ideally developers are aware of their surroundings and try and fit their development into a broader landscape. The design of SpringHill Suites ought to be both reflective and contrasting with The Hill and the rest of Deep Deuce. Since it will stick up from the general 3/4 story landscape by up to twice that height, it ought to also play off of Aloft since it will be the closest thing in the district with a similar height.

I think something like this, with maybe a little more glass incorporated would actually serve as a great transition piece architecturally between Bricktown and Deep Deuce

2596

Pete, you should incorporate a dislike button...lol...that pic says Northwest Expressway all over it...

Ideally developers are aware of their surroundings and try and fit their development into a broader landscape. The design of SpringHill Suites ought to be both reflective and contrasting with The Hill and the rest of Deep Deuce. Since it will stick up from the general 3/4 story landscape by up to twice that height, it ought to also play off of Aloft since it will be the closest thing in the district with a similar height.

I think something like this, with maybe a little more glass incorporated would actually serve as a great transition piece architecturally between Bricktown and Deep Deuce

2596

Looks like the St Anthony hospital on SW 134th and I-44

how about something like this for the Deep Deuce hotel:

http://www.sleepermagazine.co.uk/siteimage/scale/800/600/105367.png

That's preferable...

But it's going to be a SpringHill Suites....I'm trying to be realistic.

Given the other hotels developed by Atul Patel I can understand the concern over quality. Most of his properties are pretty cheapo suburban stuff.

But I trust the respective design review committees. Not only are their specific standards in place, they've been good about holding developers to them.

I'm sure the Pittmans will tell you they can be real sticklers.

I'm starting to agree with Rover here. Too many middlebrow properties. Not excited about a bunch more. Hopefully the UDC will be borderline fascists about the design details.

No more mfing eifs!!!!

No more mfing eifs!!!!

This.

It's not only about urban design (pushed to the sidewalk, ground floor retail, defined corner, landscaping, etc.). We need to start having stricter standards for aesthetics as well. When you create a memorable experience for visitors (both out of town, state, etc. as well as local visitors -- suburbanites in the city center for recreation, entertainment, etc.), you create a desire for that person to return and tell others about their experience. And we all know what happens when people flock to something: you get foot traffic, you get higher demand for services such as retail, housing, more restaurants, etc.. We can't call it a victory if we don't get that "Wow" factor. Sure we can urban canyons, zero setback etc. But what good is it if it's not memorable, if it doesn't create memories or inspire the imagination? It's just a bunch of buildings with no character that happen to be pushed to the street.

Honestly, and this is going off topic, but Level is exactly what I am describing. It fits every definition of urban, but it really does not have the "Wow" factor. There is not really much architectural substance, and there is not much sense of character. Aloft, even though it is still under construction, based on the renderings is still very urban. Yet, I understand doesn't completely fit the bill by having exposed parking on one side of it, but I think having a modern and creative exterior makes up for that. It will have that "Wow" factor while still sticking to most urban design principles.

how about something like this for the Deep Deuce hotel:

http://www.sleepermagazine.co.uk/siteimage/scale/800/600/105367.png

I fear that Bricktown is becoming too homogenous for its own good...you can only take the Brick so litterally so far before it loses its identity and seems institutional. I love the district and ache for what it could be, and hope that as it matures that it might attain it, however these new ones worry me. I think the example above would be a great addition. You want some juxtoposition and contrast from old and new and if you try to mimic the old too much it strips it of its character and gets muddy. Hope that makes sense...

OKC is still a lowest-common denominator town when it comes to zoning. The council has been historically controlled by developers. Things are changing, but not fast enough. I agree that Level, while pretty cool, is fairly disappointing in terms of materials. I prefer Deep Deuce, although the retail / grocery and parking garage in the center of Level is awesome.

The old, "We can't do THAT here" attitude still pervades city government, particularly among the old timers.

I will say, however, the Devon Tower is absolutely fabulous beyond belief, and raises the overall standard for OKC -- but it sticks out like a sore thumb!

The one hotel near The Hill will have to be pretty vertical because it will sit on only .62 acres.

That alone will make it more urban and I would expect something along the lines of the existing BT Hampton Inn.


Not sure what they are going to do for parking. May have a deal worked out with Robert Meinders for part of the East Bricktown development.

i'm sure they could work out a deal with the city to use the parking lot just to the south .... if they made such a deal i'm sure they would be happy to put a sidewalk all the way down the west side russell perry

I fear that Bricktown is becoming too homogenous for its own good...you can only take the Brick so litterally so far before it loses its identity and seems institutional. I love the district and ache for what it could be, and hope that as it matures that it might attain it, however these new ones worry me. I think the example above would be a great addition. You want some juxtoposition and contrast from old and new and if you try to mimic the old too much it strips it of its character and gets muddy. Hope that makes sense...

YES. When I was staff to the Bricktown Urban Design Committee I tried to urge allowing completely new structures to use less brick. The current Committee wouldn't have it. We want the historical brick structures to stand out as "Bricktown" and let new pay homage to the brick nature, not mimic and dumb it down.

i'm sure they could work out a deal with the city to use the parking lot just to the south .... if they made such a deal i'm sure they would be happy to put a sidewalk all the way down the west side russell perry

Yes, hopefully this will push the City to make pedestrian improvements to the area. Russell Perry Ave, and E. Sheridan both lack basic pedestrian aesthetics such as landscaping, sidewalks, lighting, benches, etc...

Moreover, it would be nice to see the E. Sheridan street completely redone to 2 lanes, with center turning median with landscaping.

Yes, hopefully this will push the City to make pedestrian improvements to the area. Russell Perry Ave, and E. Sheridan both lack basic pedestrian aesthetics such as landscaping, sidewalks, lighting, benches, etc...

Moreover, it would be nice to see the E. Sheridan street completely redone to 2 lanes, with center turning median with landscaping.

I wouldn't mind seeing both Sheridan and Reno redone through Bricktown with landscaped medians like what was in P180/90/45/??. Some wonderful landscaping and trees in center medians would be awesome.

I really think they should look at the east side trail idea earlier (a Deep Deuce to Boathouses scenic route) and major upgrades for Sheridan are definitely in order.

whats the plan for the metal fabrication land?

whats the plan for the metal fabrication land?

search east bricktown apts

Is the Springhill Suites on 1 and Perry still happening. Seems when I drove by the other day the "SOLD" sign had been removed. The For Sale sign was still up.

Is the Springhill Suites on 1 and Perry still happening. Seems when I drove by the other day the "SOLD" sign had been removed. The For Sale sign was still up.

I hope not, Patel probably realized there were too many hotels planned for the immediate area...I don't blame him. That would be a great spot for a CVS or Walgreens.

There are not to many hotels planned

Staybridge and any other proposed, vastly inferior hotel, isn't going to happen. In that context, there are definitely not too many hotels planned,