Oklahoman reporting Jonathan Russell has sold the vacant lot at 12 NW 6th just east of Broadway to a developer who is planning an 8-story TownePlace Suites by Marriott.

TownePlace is an extended-stay concept and there is an OKC location on SW 15th and Meridian; it is at the far lower right of the last photo.

http://newsok.com/eight-story-hotel-planned-for-oklahoma-citys-automobile-alley/article/5586801


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace3.jpg

Interesting. What do we know about their history of designing more "urban" concepts? Obviously the design of the Meridian location is not appropriate for 6th and Broadway.

8 stories should be prominent. Can't say I'm excited though. When I think of extended stay hotels I can't say I imagine anything high end.

8 stories should be prominent. Can't say I'm excited though. When I think of extended stay hotels I can't say I imagine anything high end.
My thoughts exactly. The flag was disappointing.

TownPlace Suites in downtown San Diego

http://jwdainc.com/projects/towneplace-suites-by-marriott/

https://www.hotels.com/ho661582624/towneplace-suites-by-marriott-san-diego-downtown-san-diego-united-states-of-america/

https://exp.cdn-hotels.com/hotels/21000000/20650000/20643300/20643207/bd10e6dd_y.jpg

https://exp.cdn-hotels.com/hotels/21000000/20650000/20643300/20643207/31d8eb83_y.jpg

Remember that when it comes to franchised hotels, the franchisee matters way more than the brand itself.

The proposed developer is Kriya Hotels and they haven't done anything remotely urban:

https://www.kriyahotels.com/our-hotels/

Remember that when it comes to franchised hotels, the franchisee matters way more than the brand itself.

The proposed developer is Kriya Hotels and they haven't done anything remotely urban:

https://www.kriyahotels.com/our-hotels/
Yep - bad news.

Also, is it just me or is Jonathan Russell starting to prove himself as a pretty worthless developer? He’s bought up loads of land, but what good projects is he actually delivering on? Apologies if I’m confused on what he’s done, but it seems like he owns a lot around OKC and isn’t doing much of anything of note.

Lazio, I was also somewhat optimistic by finding some good urban TownPlace projects like this throughout the US.

But after looking at Kriya Hotels' portfolio the Pete posted, Yikes....

The good news here is that the lot itself is small and there is a large, very under-utilized parking garage directly south.

So, if they want to create an urban design they certainly can.

Surely the Downtown Design committee (or whichever entity is responsible for guiding development in Automobile Alley) can require an urban design, correct?

Surely the Downtown Design committee (or whichever entity is responsible for guiding development in Automobile Alley) can require an urban design, correct?

Every single downtown hotel has had to go through design review and yet you see what we have and what is being built.

Things have improved but we still have some clunkers and at the end of the day I don't think any development is ever stopped, they just work around the edges a bit.

True. Here's hoping they are learning their lessons!

Man, not one design proposal yet, and people on here are already having coronaries...

Man, not one design proposal yet, and people on here are already having coronaries...
No one is having a coronary. Just some pessimism regarding past performance. I'll be happily surprised if it's better than every other project they've done.

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This one from Champagne, IL isn’t bad.

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This one from Champagne, IL isn’t bad.
That's not bad at all. Nice find.

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Feel like this a great example of hopefully what we get! This is in Lawrence, KS!

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^^^That's the response that they gave me after I emailed them. I guess and you shall receive.

The Oklahoman story says eight floors. Will be the tallest building in the immediate area.

Kevin Lee, that’s quality information. Thank you.

I will say, the size of the lot does go a certain way towards making me feel better about the design.

^^^The fast response impressed me. Usually you might get a reply in a few days if your lucky.

Oklahoman reporting Jonathan Russell has sold the vacant lot at 12 NW 6th just east of Broadway to a developer who is planning an 8-story TownePlace Suites by Marriott.

TownePlace is an extended-stay concept and there is an OKC location on SW 15th and Meridian; it is at the far lower right of the last photo.

http://newsok.com/eight-story-hotel-planned-for-oklahoma-citys-automobile-alley/article/5586801


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace1.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace3.jpg

A hearty “meh”to the announcement of TownePlace Suites. What a weird concept for that important
location. I’m glad that corner is being developed but the builder better step up their design game. Can you imagine buying one of the million dollar condos across the street and having your view obstructed by a run of the mill, suburban limited-service franchise.

Hope the city sets the bar high on this!

Oklahoman reporting Jonathan Russell has sold the vacant lot at 12 NW 6th just east of Broadway to a developer who is planning an 8-story TownePlace Suites by Marriott.

TownePlace is an extended-stay concept and there is an OKC location on SW 15th and Meridian; it is at the far lower right of the last photo.

http://newsok.com/eight-story-hotel-planned-for-oklahoma-citys-automobile-alley/article/5586801


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace1.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace3.jpg

A hearty “”meh” to the announcement of TownePlace Suites. What a weird concept for that important
location. I’m glad that corner is being developed but the builder better step up their design game. Can you imagine buying one of the million dollar condos across the street and having your view obstructed by a run of the mill, suburban limited-service franchise.

Hope the city sets the bar high on this!

double post

A hearty “”meh” to the announcement of TownePlace Suites. What a weird concept for that important
location. I’m glad that corner is being developed but the builder better step up their design game. Can you imagine buying one of the million dollar condos across the street and having your view obstructed by a run of the mill, suburban limited-service franchise.

Hope the city sets the bar high on this!

The corner isn't being developed. The lot is in the middle of the the block on 6th Street. It doesn't front Broadway. It won't obstruct the condo's view of downtown because it isn't directly across from them or within their sightlines to downtown.

I'm not really sure how an 8 story hotel on that small of lot wouldn't be an urban design. Hopefully they put together a nice urban design like they said they intend to do.

This issue isn't if it will be some sort of urban design, because it pretty much has to be.

It is the developers and the architect they are to use are likely to be inexperienced with these types of projects and we've seen some pretty disappointing results when suburban hotel developers decide to build in the core.

Hoping for the best but the concern is based on recent history.

1451314513
This one from Champagne, IL isn’t bad.

Good catch. I think that is probably along the lines of what we will see.

For what it is worth, design guidelines for this will - or at least will in theory - be even more stringent than in most parts of downtown because Automobile Alley has established historic fabric, and I would expect staff recommendations and DDRC review to reflect this. I would assume that there will also be pressure from the Automobile Alley organization to hold this to a high standard. Of course that district pressure was viewed as a bad thing by some posting here when it involved the building at Broadway and Park Place. Inconsistency can be a two-way street.

For what it is worth, design guidelines for this will - or at least will in theory - be even more stringent than in most parts of downtown because Automobile Alley has established historic fabric, and I would expect staff recommendations and DDRC review to reflect this. I would assume that there will also be pressure from the Automobile Alley organization to hold this to a high standard. Of course that district pressure was viewed as a bad thing by some posting here when it involved the building at Broadway and Park Place. Inconsistency can be a two-way street.

I really respect you as a poster, but this is an extreme oversimplification of the Broadway Park fiasco

I really respect you as a poster, but this is an extreme oversimplification of the Broadway Park fiasco

^^ This

This is great - another under-utilized lot being developed along the streetcar route.

This is great - another under-utilized lot being developed along the streetcar route.

My only "complaint" thus far is that I wish it were a few blocks more to the north. I think a hotel close to 10th and Broadway would be great.

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That's a pretty good response.

Is there any information available on what architecture firm they are using?

I really respect you as a poster, but this is an extreme oversimplification of the Broadway Park fiasco
Well thanks for that, but in return I will say that I believe that the Broadway Park situation, as it seemed to be viewed by many here, was itself an extreme oversimplification of what actually happened. Not to derail the discussion further on this hotel project.

The hotel group paid $620,000 for this .32 acre parcel.

The hotel group paid $620,000 for this .32 acre parcel.

I thought that too at first. The transaction was split between two deeds (Book 13680, page 1205 & 1209), each deed consisted of 4 lots for a sale price of $620,000.
In total, Sirius Hotels, L.L.C. (Kriya) paid $1,240,000 for 28,000 square feet (0.6428 acres) for a price per unit of $44.29/sf.

Book 13680, page 1205 conveys lots 17 through 20. Lots 19 and 20 include the Oklahoma City Geological Society parking lot (see 14525). The Geological Society has a share access agreement (Book12459, page 1126) over a 20' strip of Lot 20 with Land Run (see 14527), so I wonder if Kriya will develop all or any of Lot 20.
If they don't develop Lot 20, they would have essentially paid $1,240,000 for 24,500 square feet or $50.61/sf.

14526

^

Thanks, and you are absolutely right.

I got caught up between the two parallel County Assessor systems and their map, which only links to the old, outdated records.

Well thanks for that, but in return I will say that I believe that the Broadway Park situation, as it seemed to be viewed by many here, was itself an extreme oversimplification of what actually happened. Not to derail the discussion further on this hotel project.

Haha fair enough, yeah I don’t think anyone wants to rehash that whole deal esp. in an unrelated thread

On a recent roadtrip I stayed at a newish TownePlace Suites.

This was a typical version, not in the suburbs but certainly not urban.

All rooms come with a small kitchen and my standard version really wasn't much different than a simple hotel room with a small kitchen setup along one wall of the entry corridor. The bathroom was smaller than normal to somewhat make room for the small frig, 2-burner stove and cabinets. Interestingly, it had a pretty full set of pots and pans and tableware.

Really, pretty typical of a Fairfield Inn or any number of those better-than-budget hotels, just the rooms are configured a bit differently. You can pay more and get a bigger room with a larger kitchen.

The lobby was almost non-existent. It had a small seating area that was in the middle of what is effectively the breakfast room, as they provide that meal for free, although since it didn't start until 7 we didn't even get to partake.

There was a very small indoor poll and workout room but those were completely separate from the lobby and you really had to go looking for them.

Nothing special as a chain so it will be all about how they design this for the urban setting. I doubt it will have a bar or anything that will be interesting to the general public.

I don't think it's necessary for a hotel to have an attraction that will draw in the public. After all, attracting the public could very well just redistribute many of the locals who would have visited the area anyways. I think it's more important to draw in new visitors, which is exactly what this development will accomplish.

Currently, the closest hotels to this neighborhood are the Ambassador and the Skirvin. Guests at those hotels may not ever make it to Automobile Alley because they have other quality dining options nearby. Having a hotel actually within AA, even if it limited service, will bring a regular stream of out-of-town visitors, most of whom will likely visit one of the local shops or restaurants at least once during their stays. As long as the design fits the area, I think this will be a huge positive for the neighborhood.

Forgot to mention they do have a coin-operated laundry facility, which is actually a really nice feature if you are staying any length of time.

I stay in them regularly. In Dallas I have seen families obviously there for the long term who were displaced by hurricanes in New Orleans and Houston. They obviously would have preferred to be in their own homes but expressed that the rooms were very comfortable. The kitchenettes were adequate for these folks needs under the circumstances.

Now that Rand designed a new building next to this development, I wonder if TownePlace Suites is gonna really stand out like a sore thumb.

Now that Rand designed a new building next to this development, I wonder if TownePlace Suites is gonna really stand out like a sore thumb.
Have you seen any designs or have insight it will?
Maybe they will surprise the nay sayers and design something good.

Why would it stand out like a sore thumb?

I think extended stays in downtown are great. Those people who stay there will be looking for good and convenient restaurants, bars, dry cleaners, drug stores, etc., etc. It will not be a full service hotel, so AA should benefit greatly by the foot traffic it should generate. And, since it is within easy walking distance to the banks and companies in city center, perhaps it will spur more retail at street level as presumably foot traffic to the core will increase. Seems like a real win-win.

Why would it stand out like a sore thumb?
Just based on previous urban designs for TownePlace suites in the US. I’m wondering if it’ll fit well and be very urban, especially since there is a possibility of Rands design happening.

To borrow from a page ago:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14518&d=1520959166

There's still the question of how the eventual renderings look, but at the very least they claim to be planning on an urban design.

Just based on previous urban designs for TownePlace suites in the US. I’m wondering if it’ll fit well and be very urban, especially since there is a possibility of Rands design happening.

Why especially with Rand's building happening? Do you think it will affect the design of this hotel in some way?

Genuinely asking for the sake of clarity :D

Why especially with Rand's building happening? Do you think it will affect the design of this hotel in some way?

Genuinely asking for the sake of clarity :D

I mean in reality Rands design is a very modern approach, the new offices across the street also will do that. Although we know the design will be urban, my concern really is that they will end up building something that stands out for the wrong reasons.
14551
I attached an image that shows a recent one they finished. Obviously ignore the layout, but i think elements of it are interesting and should be used. Id just love to see something more modern.

These discussions (and I admit sometimes I have gotten involved in them in the past) are what gets this site a bad name.

We haven't seen any designs or renderings, let's wait and see what they come up with before we pass judgment.

They don't really have the room on that piece of land for a sprawling suburban design. I doubt it's going to be built of the most expensive materials, but it'll probably be pretty urban. They aren't going to have to worry about parking with that giant garage nearby.

https://newsok.com/article/5619599/first-glimpse-at-automobile-hotel

https://newsok.com/article/5619599/first-glimpse-at-automobile-hotel

I’m confused.. so strange looking... that’s pretty bad design

I like that the garage is actually below the rooms. So tired of getting separately structured parking and avoiding height.

There's a Drury Hotel near me that has this same design and I always thought it was pretty sharp. The key is to not make the garage look so much like a garage.

https://www.druryhotels.com/locations/st.../drury-inn-and-suites-st-louis-creve-coeur

EDIT: The URL doesn't seem to work. It's the Drury Hotel in Creve Coeur, MO if anyone's curious.

I’m a big fan of the design honestly. I can’t wait to see work start

we definitely need more of this type of design/thinking (integrated garages)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/townplacesuites010819.jpg

https://www.kriyahotels.com/our-hotels/



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/towneplace010818a.jpg