Looking back in the thread this looks much better than the previous proposal for this site from a number of years ago.

The hotel building looks great! Love the idea of an infinity pool hanging out over the canal area. What's with the blank wall next to it? Surely they aren't tearing down the building next door. Is it just a lazy rendering?

The renderings on this one are weird. It's like none of them have accounted for the surrounding properties like we are used to seeing. I am not one to complain about projects, but I would think you would want the renderings to show what it would look like against the canal, the Renaissance to the north, Brickopolis to the east, etc.

Infinity pool!! Awesome! Just like Hotel Joule downtown Dallas.

The renderings on this one are weird. It's like none of them have accounted for the surrounding properties like we are used to seeing. I am not one to complain about projects, but I would think you would want the renderings to show what it would look like against the canal, the Renaissance to the north, Brickopolis to the east, etc.

I thought this too, but I believe they just threw this one together to get in front of the design committee and if they get the go-ahead they will get better more detailed renderings.

I thought this too, but I believe they just threw this one together to get in front of the design committee and if they get the go-ahead they will get better more detailed renderings.

They don't need to render the entire landscape of downtown to have functional renderings. SMH.

This is so exciting. I hope it happens. Not sure what the comments on Instagram are about ? What do these people want.

This is so exciting. I hope it happens. Not sure what the comments on Instagram are about ? What do these people want.

They want other people to feel as miserable about everything as they do.

The views from there would be killer.

The canal needs more of these types of projects. You'd think any hotel there would kill it and at the same time there would be associated bars/restaurants on the water.

Ironic. My wife and I strolled along the canal Sunday evening. We stopped for a drink at the putt putt canal side bar and I commented to her that it was a shame no one had added a hotel to the upper floors of the building directly alongside the canal

Ironic. My wife and I strolled along the canal Sunday evening. We stopped for a drink at the putt putt canal side bar and I commented to her that it was a shame no one had added a hotel to the upper floors of the building directly alongside the canal

I had a drink at Bourbon Street last week and every time I do that I think, "What will it take to get the rest of the canal activated?"

I had a drink at Bourbon Street last week and every time I do that I think, "What will it take to get the rest of the canal activated?"

I'd say this and the Boardwalk towers are big steps in the right direction of activating the rest of the upper canal (Thank you, Pete, for all your coverage on these projects). I don't want to daydream too much, but exciting to think about what over 1,000 units of hotel rooms/apartments/condos could make more economically viable to have in the direct area--more shopping options even. Plus, just having more people walking around the canal area will make it feel more inviting to first time visitors--right now the portion of the canal west of Oklahoma Ave. feels so different (for me, at least) than the portion east of it for that very reason.

I also hope that the parking garage for the Boardwalk towers (and maybe another one put somewhere east of the ballpark if needed) will give future justification for the removal of the canal-facing parking lots that could then be built upon.

A hotel on the canal is awesome and needed. I'm a little curious about location and rendering. I've been hoping for one on the lot next to the old zios location, but maybe both can happen.

Is this just taking over the old Magarita mamas space? Because that's rather tiny, not sure how to fit X amount of rooms on that. There's Yucatán stand building to the west, and that mini golf to the east is very popular, one of the more popular attractions on the canal. I'd hate to see the mini golf go, but a five story hotel is more important in the long term for the canal. I hope there's a way to build this and keep what's around it.

Is anyone familiar with what would be required structurally to add that many floors to an existing building? I assume they had studies done about that.

That particular building is constructed using reinforced concrete pillars. Commercial structures of that type and vintage were built with the intention that they could expand up, which was often done over the years. I mean, I’m sure they’ve had structural engineers confirming it before they ever got to this point; my office is across the canal and we’ve been observing surveyors plus other workmen coming and going from this building over the past few weeks. I suspect that they’re not guessing at this point.

They don't need to render the entire landscape of downtown to have functional renderings. SMH.

My statement has nothing to do with whether it is functional or not. I guess some developers want the public to use their imagination more.

The renderings are certainly not very sophisticated.

The new ownership/developers are also not known.


Sure hope this happens but there is cause for skepticism after two big projects previously announced for this site completely fell through. Let's hope the third time is a charm.

My statement has nothing to do with whether it is functional or not. I guess some developers want the public to use their imagination more.
Renderings aren’t created for public consumption. Granted, some are made robust and extra-appealing when a developer wants/needs to gain investors or sway opinions, but in general drawings like this exist to communicate intent, scale, materials and the like to those who issue permits. In many cases they’d just as soon the public never see drawings.

Story in Oklahoman said it is the old Margarita Mamas site.

I think it said they plan to put a steel skeleton inside the existing brick to provide necessary support for the entire structure. Maybe it's kinda like the way they redid the White House in the late 1940s?

Renderings aren’t created for public consumption. Granted, some are made robust and extra-appealing when a developer wants/needs to gain investors or sway opinions, but in general drawings like this exist to communicate intent, scale, materials and the like to those who issue permits. In many cases they’d just as soon the public never see drawings.

Yeah, I wouldn't want the public to see that drawing at all. It does seem that larger developments like Chisholm Creek, The 1/2, and The Oak have asked their marketing team to use those pretty renderings quite a bit lately. Just sayin, for something that isn't for public consumption, it sure does help the marketing team sell the idea of the development.

My statement has nothing to do with whether it is functional or not. I guess some developers want the public to use their imagination more.
They aren’t doing it just to satisfy the cravings of a few of the citizens whose only interest is curiosity.

Yeah, I wouldn't want the public to see that drawing at all. It does seem that larger developments like Chisholm Creek, The 1/2, and The Oak have asked their marketing team to use those pretty renderings quite a bit lately. Just sayin, for something that isn't for public consumption, it sure does help the marketing team sell the idea of the development.

It really isn’t for curious citizens, it’s to attract investors, developers, etc.

Story in Oklahoman said it is the old Margarita Mamas site.

I think it said they plan to put a steel skeleton inside the existing brick to provide necessary support for the entire structure. Maybe it's kinda like the way they redid the White House in the late 1940s?

Yes, I saw that explained in Steve's article. They will gut they current building including the current floors and roof and then put a new steel structure inside of it.

It really isn’t for curious citizens, it’s to attract investors, developers, etc.

You made your point...move on!

You made your point...move on!
Lol.

Good grief. I hope they consult an architect before they take this project much further.

^^^^^^^
They’ll have to. As drawn it wouldn’t come close to passing BUDC review.

BUDC made a lot of good comments on this project this morning. Applicant said projecting $30MM in cost. But they do not have financing at this time.

Just some notes:
Current structure is not able to support hotel structure and would essentially need to be demolished and rebuilt. BUDC made comments to have nod or elements reflecting the existing structure in design elements of hotel.

Also BUDC has no recourse for allowing demo of a structure and then project failing to materialize. Applicant does promise that demo would not take place without full plan able to materialize.

^

Thank you!


The no financing part is troubling.

We've had no less than 3 ambitious projects announced for this site and none of materialized as yet.

...
Applicant does promise that demo would not take place without full plan able to materialize.

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

The top two floors are just horrible, please stick with the warehouse/industrial architectural style Mr. Jose Rodriguez. It's like they don't know what else to draw when they get to those floors. SMH.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2023/10/12/bricktown-canal-okc-developers-looking-buy-brickopolis-demolish-hotel/71146549007/

https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/11/NOKL/71145563007-bricktown-hotel-002.JPG?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/11/NOKL/71145562007-bricktown-hotel-003.JPG?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

The no financing part is troubling.

We've had no less than 3 ambitious projects announced for this site and none of materialized as yet.This specific project will most likely require venture capital. Not too many banks are going to put themselves on the hook for ~$20-25MM towards this highly-speculative project. I would get laughed out of the room if I presented this proposal at my bank.

Now, if it was in the $3-5MM range for renovations, upgrades, etc., it might be a fairly easy approval.

The top two floors are just horrible, please stick with the warehouse/industrial architectural style Mr. Jose Rodriguez. It's like they don't know what else to draw when they get to those floors. SMH.

I think this will make more sense visually in person- I see what they're going for and I think it will fit in nicely. Also I'm glad this new design has 8 floors instead of 7!

I think this will make more sense visually in person- I see what they're going for and I think it will fit in nicely. Also I'm glad this new design has 8 floors instead of 7!

It will look something like this, :Smiley099!

Front:
https://costar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/27547a4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/2048x1152!/quality/100/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcostar-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc0%2F4d%2F18131ab748 a99f0211aeea7dc987%2F319519554.jpg

and Back:
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/119721288_209777277151612_8828183952485826784_n.jp g?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dd63ad&_nc_ohc=QHmY7B0seeMAX8bKgql&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC-cGLOJ9pIHnJC8Z8--aXpbGGKFrW5GD0wv9L8cWYhng&oe=654F72DD

Bricktown landlords and architects: please consider sticking to something like this, sometimes creativity isn't really the solution.

https://www.ramsa.com/sites/default/files/A10048-ESTO-2014A46.454_0.jpg

I hate the top two floors with a passion, but I like the overall project. Seems pretty ambitious though. I wonder if Jose will chime in here?

I understand the mini-golf has always only been a placeholder for that property, but i am still sad to lost it. That place (and Brickopolis in general) is always super busy and brings so much more life to Bricktown than a parking garage ever will.

Parking garage…. On the canal? Sounds like a disaster

I understand the mini-golf has always only been a placeholder for that property, but i am still sad to lost it. That place (and Brickopolis in general) is always super busy and brings so much more life to Bricktown than a parking garage ever will.

My understanding is that the mini golf course and Brickopolis will remain and the parking garage will not be on the canal and instead on the surface lot at Oklahoma and Reno.

My understanding is that the mini golf course and Brickopolis will remain and the parking garage will not be on the canal and instead on the surface lot at Oklahoma and Reno.

Isn’t this exactly what the article said? They want to incorporate Brickopolis into their hotel offerings and build the garage on the corner surface lot.

The theorized garage would go directly in front of the hotel's alley entrance. Basically where there is currently a dumpster enclosure and surface lot.

The mini golf would remain.

I understand the mini-golf has always only been a placeholder for that property, but i am still sad to lost it. That place (and Brickopolis in general) is always super busy and brings so much more life to Bricktown than a parking garage ever will.

Mini golf not only not going away under this proposal, but they would like to incorporate it into the hotel's amenities.

Isn’t this exactly what the article said? They want to incorporate Brickopolis into their hotel offerings and build the garage on the corner surface lot.

Agreed, was just addressing the two above posts.

I think it looks pretty good, I don't understand what's wrong with the top but I guess that's just personal opinion.

I think it looks pretty good, I don't understand what's wrong with the top but I guess that's just personal opinion.

I don't like the use of 3 different brick colors but other than that its fine.

Mini golf not only not going away under this proposal, but they would like to incorporate it into the hotel's amenities.

This is what I get for skimming the article

I understand the mini-golf has always only been a placeholder for that property, but i am still sad to lost it. That place (and Brickopolis in general) is always super busy and brings so much more life to Bricktown than a parking garage ever will.

the hotel is on a different property

The top two floors are just horrible, please stick with the warehouse/industrial architectural style Mr. Jose Rodriguez. It's like they don't know what else to draw when they get to those floors. SMH.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2023/10/12/bricktown-canal-okc-developers-looking-buy-brickopolis-demolish-hotel/71146549007/

https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/11/NOKL/71145563007-bricktown-hotel-002.JPG?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/11/NOKL/71145562007-bricktown-hotel-003.JPG?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

Design review should approve this with the caveat that the brick needs to look like Bricktown and not brick colors chosen by someone drunk.

Design review should approve this with the caveat that the brick needs to look like Bricktown and not brick colors chosen by someone drunk.

i don't believe that there is any brick color requirement in the ord

I couldn't find the appropriate thread, so Pete, you can move this to the correct thread, but the boutique hotel (formally The Falls, I believe) on the canal filed for a building permit.

It is called the Gem Hotel.

18577

I couldn't find the appropriate thread, so Pete, you can move this to the correct thread, but the boutique hotel (formally The Falls, I believe) on the canal filed for a building permit.

It is called the Gem Hotel.

18577

For clarification, these plans are labeled "Preliminary Review Only". This is commonly done when a developer is looking for feedback before putting the project out to bid.

As far as I know, this project does not have financing. I believe they are putting all this out there in advance in hopes of finding investors and/or a lender.

For clarification, these plans are labeled "Preliminary Review Only". This is commonly done when a developer is looking for feedback before putting the project out to bid.

As far as I know, this project does not have financing. I believe they are putting all this out there in advance in hopes of finding investors and/or a lender.

they also have not yet received BUDC approval (they presented in dec and it was continued )

Recently made a trip to San Antonio and stayed at a hotel right on their canal. Greatly enjoyed being able to take an elevator down and immediately walk out to the River Walk. Does make me surprised how OKC doesn't already have a similar hotel concept in Bricktown. The Residence Inn somewhat does fit the bill as a canal-side hotel, but the pool/basketball court doesn't give the same urban feel as a hotel entrance with canal-level restaurants. Really makes me hope this project gains some ground and moves forward (as well as some more future activation of Lower Bricktown in the long term--it'd be a dream to walk the canal and barely be able to see parking lots due to buildings and or landscaping on both sides).

As per the Oklahoman, this project is dead:


The latest proposal, an eight-story, 60-room hotel that would have required demolition of the current building, died earlier this year without any explanation as to why.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/07/15/hotel-project-along-okcs-bricktown-canal-cancelled/74317313007/?itm_medium=recirc&itm_source=taboola&itm_campaign=internal&itm_content=BelowHomepageFeed-FeedRedesign

As per the Oklahoman, this project is dead:



https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/07/15/hotel-project-along-okcs-bricktown-canal-cancelled/74317313007/?itm_medium=recirc&itm_source=taboola&itm_campaign=internal&itm_content=BelowHomepageFeed-FeedRedesign

That doesn't surprise me but that sure is a disappointment.

The whole thing seemed a bit iffy to start.

This property has seen at least 3 ambitious proposals that all died.

Bummer. A hotel overlooking the canal would be so cool, it's a shame there isn't one. The canal in general needs more activation.