Holiday Inn Express

[SouthsideSooner]

I disagree with the "too busy" and "flatten out" comments.

I think the design is good, if they would just do it all brick.

I prefer this design to a square brick box.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Square brick boxes are what make bricktown.

I like the idea of at least incorporating portions of the facade of the old building.

[jbrown84]

All brick is only boring if you just slap it on around rectangle windows. You only have to look around Bricktown to see how creative use of brick with stone (or even concrete) accents can make a very unique design.

I don't have major issues with the design they presented. Perhaps the main problem was the set back on the right side in the picture. The part on the corner looks good, but it appears to be set back maybe 20 feet as you go east.

[mheaton76]

Did I read correctly that they said 39 percent stucco on the original drawings? that seems awfully high. I hope they do all brick ultimately, or at least keep the stucco to a bare minimum...



www.unitedstatesofmichael.com

[Luke]

I'm assuming it meant 51% brick 49% stucco.

[jbrown84]

no, it said in the original short article 61-39

[Luke]

no, it said in the original short article 61-39

Actually, here's the original article quote:

Demolition of the building is not a certainty. Committee members unanimously criticized the proposed design by Quinn & Associates, which included a facade of 61 percent brick and 49 percent synthetic stucco.

That's why I'm assuming they meant 51% and 49%. Either that or 61% and 39%. But since they weren't pleased with the ratio, I assumed the former.

[jbrown84]

The Bricktown Urban Design Committee criticized the designs submitted by Kusum Hospitality, which include 39 percent synthetic stucco in the exterior facade. The committee also criticized the shape of the building proposed for 101 E Main, which members called “busy” and not in step with the old warehouse district.

Either way, it's too much.

[Luke]

Either way, it's too much.

Agreed!

[Patrick]

The original short article said 39% stucco. I think the 49% was a typo on the second article.

By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer

Developers of a proposed Bricktown Holiday Inn Express were given tentative approval Wednesday to demolish an old dairy — but only if they get approval for the hotel design.

The Bricktown Urban Design Committee criticized the designs submitted by Kusum Hospitality, which include 39 percent synthetic stucco in the exterior facade. The committee also criticized the shape of the building proposed for 101 E Main, which members called “busy” and not in step with the old warehouse district.

Committee members agreed the existing building on the site, formerly Steffen’s Ice Cream, was beyond salvaging.

John Sweeney, vice president of operations for Kusum, promised to return to the committee next month with revised drawings that will include more brick and will better conform with district standards.

[Patrick]

If the dairy building is really in bad disrepair, I'd be in favor of tearing it down, but only for the right building.

I think in the picture, the dark red represents brick, and the lighter colors in the middle represent the stucco. Why not just use a different color of brick in place of the stucco? You can still have differing colors in the facade using brick. I think that's where the architect is coming from....solid dark red brick would look boring, and the stucco gives you a color variation. Well, like I said, you can do the same thing by using different colors of brick.

Also, the structure may be a little too busy. I like some variation though, so I hope the architect doesn't just turn it into a big square box. Maybe flatten out the right side some, and we'll be set.

Maybe they need to go look at JDM Place. It is mostly brick, but the architect used concrete here and there to give some variation to the structure.

As for incorporating the old boiler and north side facade into the structure......I haven't seen it, so I don't know....it might be historically significant, and architecturally interesting.

In one of the old warehouse buildings in Wichita that they converted into a Courtyard by Marriott, they simply used the facade of the old warehouse building, and demolished the interior and rebuilt it up to 4-5 floors. That could be a possiblity here.

[John]

Go all brick or go home!

[Pete]

Here's a photo from 2007 (per county assessor):

[betts]

There are other things you can do with brick: you can do portions in a herringbone or other pattern. Or, you can increase the number of windows or add some cast stone. If you look at the old dairy building, it's not an architectural marvel, but the all brick facade looks nice. I was driving downtown today and noticed the back of the Deep Deuce apartments are dark colored stucco like that shown in the Holiday Inn plan, and I think it's unattractive. I'm hoping that when the vice president of operations says "more brick and will better conform with district standards" he means "all brick".

[solitude]

Here's a photo from 2007 (per county assessor):

I wonder if the plant was still in use by Farm Fresh when that photo was taken or if its lot was just being used for parking. Does any one know when it was last used? I only know Farm Fresh was the last tenant but don't know when they shut down operations.

[Pete]

It's been unoccupied for years, so it was definitely vacant in that photo. It's just one block north of Sheridan and therefore a good place to park and walk to the Brewery or elsewhere.

I actually really like the southern facade of that building. I like how there is lots of variation and interest in the brick.

If they tear it down in favor of new construction, everything possible should be done to make the new structure look like it's been there for quite a while.

[John]

I actually really like the southern facade of that building. I like how there is lots of variation and interest in the brick.

If they tear it down in favor of new construction, everything possible should be done to make the new structure look like it's been there for quite a while.

I agree on both points.

One way to definately make it stand out and look new is EIFS, which is not the direction things need to go in Bricktown.

[Pete]

If keeping the facade is cost prohibitive, how about the design committee insisting that the design be maintained or at least most of the detailed brickwork be duplicated on that exposure?

They could also use used brick to obtain a more period feel.

All the buildings around there are renovated brick structures. No matter how nice, a modern-looking structure is going to look very out of place at that location and detract from the character of the district -- especially since it will be taller and larger than most.

[wsucougz]

If not for cost, then why do brick and stucco seem to be the only two options for building exteriors in Bricktown? Is there no one around who has the expertise to work with the paneling surfaces or other modern options that have gained popularity around the world and in other U.S. cities?

Here are two holiday inn expresses from Europe:

Note the use of paneling here. Incorporating these types of resin/composite/metal board accents with brick structures would look cool in bricktown, I think. The blue glass might also be a nice contrast to the deep red of brick, as it is to the crimson paneling here:



Another interesting one:

[betts]

I really like the second hotel posted above. Something like that would work. It has a very traditional feel, and yet there's a contemporary take on it.

[solitude]

I really like the second hotel posted above. Something like that would work. It has a very traditional feel, and yet there's a contemporary take on it.

I agree, betts. The second picture would make for a perfect match with that lot in Bricktown. I was sorry to hear that the Steffen's building is unsalvagable, but something like this would fit nicely.

wsucougz: Thanks for finding and posting the pics. Nice finds.

[Doug Loudenback]

Very very nice, wsucoug, especially the 2nd image ... perfect!

[shane453]

I've always imagined Core to Shore having a look similar to that first rendering. Reminds me also of designs of some East Wharf buildings.

[Pete]

Isn't everything in Bricktown proper -- apart from the top two floors of the new Hampton Inn -- completely brick or painted brick?

And haven't all the newer buildings had a historic feel to them?

[Patrick]

Everything except the ugly looking red painted parking garage next to the ballpark.