I thought there was supposed to be a certain percentage of brick so was also surprised.

What is wrong with the Hyatt Place?

What is wrong with the Hyatt Place?

It does look different in this rendering for the AC than the one for the Hyatt at the top of this page:

Article Photos: Architects hope third time's a charm when submitting designs for hotel in Oklahoma City's Bricktown Gallery (http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/5473781/1/pictures/4043427)

Maybe that's just because the AC didn't accurately represent it in these renderings...?

Gotcha - yes let's hope that is not an as yet unseen revision.

Looking at pics of AC hotels it doesn't seem that architecturally they are a good fit for Bricktown. It is kind of like trying to put a square peg in a round hole, by people who don't want to damage the square peg.

Here are the latest plans...

They go before the Bricktown Urban Design Committee next week but only on a informational basis to get more feedback.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ac020316a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ac020316b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ac020316c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ac020316d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ac020316e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ac020316f.jpg

So what's the percentage of brick required?

So what's the percentage of brick required?

By code?

0%.

I thought bricktown had a brick % requirement

I really like that new design.

i like this design.

By code?

0%.

I thought that the Bricktown Urban Design Overlay called for around 80%? That may be different than code, right?

That's what I was getting at, it seems more like 50% brick than 80% so was trying to validate what the correct number was...

I don't think there is a hard and fast percentage of brick required for new construction.

I found this from the Regulations and Guidelines for Bricktown design:


§7150.K.(2), Brick Building Facades
“Brick building facades, preferably varying shades of red brick,
are an established and a critical characteristic of the District’s
core. New and renovated facades should enhance or
complement this characteristic. Innovative design and creative
use of building materials such as glass, concrete, and
architectural metals are encouraged. Mirrored glass and vinyl
siding are discouraged.”

Ah-ha. Thanks. I always thought there was a percentage stated SOMEwhere.

Ah-ha. Thanks. I always thought there was a percentage stated SOMEwhere.

There may be but I wasn't able to find it anywhere.

Very nice, not groundbreaking, but looks clean and will age well. I think this is a good compromise from the original and updated revisions. Build it!

This looks really nice! I like it! I really hope they go ahead with this design.

I like how the bar is right at the corner with outside seating.

Bars in AC Hotels are cool and lively, so this will add much to that intersection and hopefully energy to the street as well.

I bet this will be viewed as a fair compromise.

Just to be clear to those who questioned what he said after he commented, nobody who posts here knows more about Bricktown design ordinance than cafeboeuf.

I think the changes are very good. Having been to two of the BUDC meetings where preliminary designs on this building were presented, I would guess that this re-work will get very favorable response.

Just to be clear to those who questioned what he said after he commented, nobody who posts here knows more about Bricktown design ordinance than cafeboeuf.

Right and had I seen his post before I made mine I would have merely quoted him and said the same thing and saved myself some time and effort. :)

Wasn't meant as a negative or anything against cafeboeuf, just thought I had fuzzy memories about Sheridan hotels getting rejected for "not enough brick" so presumed there was some guidance on what was "enough".

Wasn't meant as a negative or anything against cafeboeuf, just thought I had fuzzy memories about Sheridan hotels getting rejected for "not enough brick" so presumed there was some guidance on what was "enough".

Yeah, and I didn't mean for that to sound nasty at all - sorry if it did - just letting anyone who doesn't know that his word is as trustworthy as it gets on that topic. He's forgotten more about it than I will ever know, and I'm closer to it than most.

I think the "not enough brick" comments came during a time when some since-departed committee members really didn't understand what they were there to do and spent too much time just trying to impose "nice" on the neighborhood without understanding that "nice" is completely subjective. They were imposing personal taste and a misguided understanding of their role, IMO. They were often pushing for buildings to mimic rather than do what is described in the ordinance language Pete posted, which is to "...enhance or complement this [brick] characteristic." I think it is also important that the language says "innovative design and creative use of building materials such as glass, concrete, and architectural metals are encouraged..." This design fits those expectations very well from a materials standpoint. Even in a true HP district (which Bricktown is NOT), new construction is usually supposed to complement rather than mimic. That is, it should have similar scale, window openings, unifying materials, etc., but should not attempt to be indistinguishable from the historic.

Makes sense and I agree

It's nice to see the massing extended to the corner. It wasn't bad before, but this is certainly better.

Just to be clear to those who questioned what he said after he commented, nobody who posts here knows more about Bricktown design ordinance than cafeboeuf.

I think the changes are very good. Having been to two of the BUDC meetings where preliminary designs on this building were presented, I would guess that this re-work will get very favorable response.

Aww, gee, thanks. :)

I should have added more to my comment... the BUDC committee members have always been extremely brick-supportive, but the ordinance hasn't ever (or for at least the last 7 years) had a minimum percent required. The ordinance is very suggestive, and when it was split into west and east Bricktown, the west portion (west of Joe Carter), was much more focused on brick, and east Bricktown was encouraged to play with other architectural materials. The east side ordinance was crafted to reflect the Stewart metal buildings and other non-brick structures on the east side of Bricktown. When the zoning code merged the two into one district, some of the language from the east portion was folded in to allow for, and encourage, different materials on the east end in order to avoid the Disney-fication, so-to-speak, of Bricktown. The code was originally written to preserve the existing brick character and reinforce a brick warehouse/industrial feel elsewhere.

I like the use of architectural metals and glass on the east side, so conceptually I think the AC proposal works well. I'm not sold on the corner treatment and the physical layout though, personally. Something about the vertical and horizontal breaks feels off to me...

Thanks that's informative. I didn't realize there was an enforcement different between east and west.

I'm not sold on the corner treatment and the physical layout though, personally. Something about the vertical and horizontal breaks feels off to me...

Though the same things.

Kind of ironic the east code was written to encourage compatibility with buildings that no longer exists - and it comes to light on the very lots where they stood. Reminds me of the new police station being designed to match the old police station that itself is being torn down for parking for the new police station.

Looks nice IMO. Build it, today!

Perhaps this will 'force' the HGI to raise its' bar as well?

One quesiton though, why are the loading docks so near the street? I suppose it has to be there due to the locn of the kitchen, but seems odd that there isn't a better way to conceal the backhouse in the true backhouse of the building.

They've started work on both the AC and Hyatt Place:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hyatt041616.jpg

Wow, this is all moved so fast I love it, 5 projects all in the last 3, 4 months

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/steelyard051516b.jpg

By next Spring this area will look completely different. Do they have any idea on the timeline for completion?

12710

Groundbreaking officially is next Wednesday, June 22nd, 10 AM on the construction site- see flyer above for details.

http://lodgingmagazine.com/newcrestimage-to-build-modular-ac-hotel-in-oklahoma-city/

The modular style build of the AC Hotel will be very neat to watch over 4 days.

Groundbreaking officially is next Wednesday, June 22nd, 10 AM on the construction site- see flyer above for details.

http://lodgingmagazine.com/newcrestimage-to-build-modular-ac-hotel-in-oklahoma-city/

The modular style build of the AC Hotel will be very neat to watch over 4 days.

the number of pending openings of Element Hotels in the region has me amazed there's not one announced for OKC, with all these other boutiques (Wichita! Omaha! Bentonville! 6 new locations in Texas!)

here's the list

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/element/directory/hotels/all/list.html?language=en_US

<wasn't sure where to put this, maybe one in Midtown would work>

Lol, bits, that's a top notch username. Deserves a compliment.
"I' not gonna lie, that smells like pure gasoline."

Lol, bits, that's a top notch username. Deserves a compliment.
"I' not gonna lie, that smells like pure gasoline."

I hear that 60% of the time, it works every time.

I hear that 60% of the time, it works every time.

Had a good chuckle there.

$9.4M building permit issued for this hotel, as mentioned in the Steelyard thread (http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=28942&p=967510#post967510). Drove by the site after lunch and they've already got plumbing stubbed out; foundation pour will likely happen quite soon.

This thread won't drop from latest posts. Glitch in the matrix.

Well, that did it. Weird.

Professing my ignorance here. Is it common for developments to begin ground work (plumbing, foundation) before actually obtaining a building permit? I know this project started 2-3 months ago, so I was surprised to here of the building permit just now getting issued.

^

Yes, you can do do foundation only work without having the commercial building permit issued.

Of course, it's a bit of a gamble in that there are no assurances until the permit is formerly obtained.

This thread won't drop from latest posts. Glitch in the matrix.

That was happening for me with another thread on Friday. Very annoying.

Steve Lackmeyer reported on Friday that AC Hotels would not agree to having a restaurant in that corner near Sheridan and Joe Carter... that's an incredible shame. I wonder why AC was opposed to a restaurant?

http://newsok.com/how-are-the-pivot-projects-coming-along/article/5518412

Because they want that key corner for their hotel and operations.

Because they want that key corner for their hotel and operations.

Will they at least have a restaurant somewhere in the hotel?

Will they at least have a restaurant somewhere in the hotel?

See the final plans here:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=40462&page=3&p=937445#post937445

See the final plans here:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=40462&page=3&p=937445#post937445

So, no. It looks like the kitchen will just be for breakfast and maybe the bar area. I hope the Steelyard can get a restaurant or two. They will need it close by with all the hotels opening in the area.

Frankly, I'd rather have the hotel guest go out and patronize the local restaurants. Tons in the immediate area.

AC Hotel Bricktown will have a vibrant, upscale, and modern designed public area, truly unlike anything currently in Bricktown. The bar and patio will indeed be the main feature on the corner of Sheridan and Russell Perry Dr., and will feature spanish inspired tapas plates, local craft beer, and a large wine selection including spanish favorites.

The way they handle this bar space is pretty exceptional as they promote it during the day as a creative co-working space that is meant to smoothly transition into a social space as the evening comes.

Not only that, the breakfast is pretty awesome and will be a differentiation from the area. From the site "Sweet and savory Spanish egg tarts take the place of traditional eggs. Imported freshly-sliced Iberico ham and French croissants, fresh fruits, cheeses, muesli, yogurt, Nespresso coffee and more are all included in the price. It's breakfast elevated deliciously."

I can say that AC realized that this corner was extremely valuable and to give it to a 3rd party operator would mean a large amount of lost revenue. What will exist is an extremely vibrant atmosphere that is cohesive to the rest of the hotel lobby.

I agree with Pete about the local restaurants. AC Hotels have less amenities than a typical Courtyard/Hyatt Place/Hilton Garden Inn. I stayed at the one in Kansas City. Breakfast was just pastries, yogurts, cold meats, cheese, and a quiche thing. I was hungry an hour later. The bar did look cool in the evening but I don't recall any food menu for it.

Also, we paid about $16 per person for breakfast at the AC in KC.

AC Hotel Bricktown will have a vibrant, upscale, and modern designed public area, truly unlike anything currently in Bricktown. The bar and patio will indeed be the main feature on the corner of Sheridan and Russell Perry Dr., and will feature spanish inspired tapas plates, local craft beer, and a large wine selection including spanish favorites.

The way they handle this bar space is pretty exceptional as they promote it during the day as a creative co-working space that is meant to smoothly transition into a social space as the evening comes.

Not only that, the breakfast is pretty awesome and will be a differentiation from the area. From the site "Sweet and savory Spanish egg tarts take the place of traditional eggs. Imported freshly-sliced Iberico ham and French croissants, fresh fruits, cheeses, muesli, yogurt, Nespresso coffee and more are all included in the price. It's breakfast elevated deliciously."

I can say that AC realized that this corner was extremely valuable and to give it to a 3rd party operator would mean a large amount of lost revenue. What will exist is an extremely vibrant atmosphere that is cohesive to the rest of the hotel lobby.

Pryor Tiger knows!

Thanks so much for the details. Sounds really cool and should be a great gateway into the East Bricktown area.

^^^^^^^
Yeah, Pryor Tiger DEFINITELY knows

^^^^^^^
Yeah, Pryor Tiger DEFINITELY knows

It's almost like he has some sort of inside knowledge on the Bricktown hotel scene. Maybe he's the Bricktown Hotel Ghost Whisperer!

It's almost like he has some sort of inside knowledge on the Bricktown hotel scene. Maybe he's the Bricktown Hotel Ghost Whisperer!

I believe he's the manager of the Bricktown Holiday Inn Express.

I believe he's the manager of the Bricktown Holiday Inn Express.

Yes, I know. I tend to be a bit sarcastic. He also happens to be a hell of a trumpet player!