New Hotel News

[SOONER]

Hey guys, I'm new to the board, but wanted to share some news about the proposed Embassy Suites planned for Bricktown. Talked to Mr. Hammons himself and told me plans for construction are to begin late 06 (added it would be ten stories, personally wish it was a bit taller). He wouldn't share the location, but did say it's definite. I know it's been talked about for some time, but at least it can be confirmed, sort of. He plans on making an official announcement soon.

[Patrick]

Hey Sooner. Glad to have you participate here! Thanks so much for the information. Glad to hear Embassy Suites is still a go for Bricktown. A 10 story Embassy Suites will be a nice addition to the area. Would give us 3 hotels in Bricktown, the other two being the Residence Inn and the Hampton Inn.

[BricktownGuy]

Yes, the Embassy Suites is a go.

The delay apparently has been caused by an underground electrical line had to be rerouted and a deep sewer line caused a change in the exact location of the building.

Location: between Bass Pro and Sonic headquarters. 250 rooms.

This hotel brings Hammons investment in Bricktown to $118 million.

[Doug Loudenback]

Yes, the Embassy Suites is a go.

The delay apparently has been caused by an underground electrical line had to be rerouted and a deep sewer line caused a change in the exact location of the building.

Location: between Bass Pro and Sonic headquarters. 250 rooms.

This hotel brings Hammons investment in Bricktown to $118 million.

Bricktown Guy, are you sure that you're not talking about the RESIDENCE Inn, under construction in the area you mentioned? See pics below ...

[BricktownGuy]

hmm. what I had posted is what I had read recently.

[Nuclear_2525]

on that Residence Inn, is that parking lot facing the canal, or is the hotel going to be right up next to the canal?

[Doug Loudenback]

on that Residence Inn, is that parking lot facing the canal, or is the hotel going to be right up next to the canal?

The parking lot faces Reno and the canal is a bit south of the Residence Inn tract - it does not abut the canal on the south. If you look at the pics, above, particularly the 3rd which looks west and a little southwest on Reno from the corner of the Residence Inn tract, you can see (left to right at the right side of the pic) Toby Keith's, Harkins and Sonic, which should give you the correct perspective.

[downtownguy]

Just to clarify. John Q. Hammons was going to build an Embassy Suites between Sonic and Bass Pro Shops. He switched that to a Residence Inn, which he is building now. He is about to announce an Embassy Suites somewhere else in Bricktown and/or downtown.

[Patrick]

Hmmm....notice downtownguy mentions "and/or downtown." Interesting.

[BricktownGuy]

alright. What I had posted some something I had read from a good reputable source. But, I guess it must have been a misprint. I had just read this about 1 month ago, but still must be incorrect.

Sorry, about causing confusions.

[Doug Loudenback]

The parking lot faces Reno and the canal is a bit south of the Residence Inn tract - it does not abut the canal on the south. If you look at the pics, above, particularly the 3rd which looks west and a little southwest on Reno from the corner of the Residence Inn tract, you can see (left to right at the right side of the pic) Toby Keith's, Harkins and Sonic, which should give you the correct perspective.

It appears that I was wrong, above, when I said that the southern boundary of the Residence Inn tract will not abut the canal. I took several new downtown & Bricktown pics on Monday and the pic below looks north at the Residence Inn tract ... and it surely looks as though the property will be very near the canal.

[Nuclear_2525]

wouldn't it be nice if hammonds was clearing off that land next to the canal to build some retail areas...even though I know that is not the case.

[swake]

Hey, I am just going by his name, but I bet Bricktownguy (R. Patel) knows a lot more about the hotel industry than he is letting on.

I worked in telecom for a number of years and a lot of my customers were hotels. Well over half of those hotels were owned and/or run by people whose last name was Patel. I had one such gentleman tell me that 75% of the hotels in the United States were owned by members of the Patel family. I had no reason to doubt him based on what I saw. Must be a big family.

[brianinok]

From what I understand, Patel is like Smith. More than one family.

Also, from what I understand, the Residence Inn will have a small, skinny pool beside the canal (behind a fence or wall), then the building will go up. So, it is very much "on the canal."

[Doug Loudenback]

From what I understand, Patel is like Smith. More than one family.

Also, from what I understand, the Residence Inn will have a small, skinny pool beside the canal (behind a fence or wall), then the building will go up. So, it is very much "on the canal."

Thanks! That adds some clarity.

[BricktownGuy]

Yes, Patel is like Smith, fairly common.

But, I would say that probably 75% of the hotels in the United States are owned by Patels.

[mranderson]

Yes, Patel is like Smith, fairly common.

But, I would say that probably 75% of the hotels in the United States are owned by Patels.

My family has a friend who has the last name Patel. He calls himself the Smith of India.

[BDP]

the Residence Inn will have a small, skinny pool beside the canal (behind a fence or wall),

So, they're building on the canal, but walling off the property from it?? Sometimes I wonder why we even built the thing with how the developments on the lower end seem to ignore it rather than incorporate it.

[swake]

So, Bricktownguy, do you own or are you planning on soon owning a new Bricktown hotel? Is there a plan you can share?

[BricktownGuy]

lol. It is a possiblity in the future. Although, I may stay a silent investor.

Currently weighing all options. My investments may not be limited to just hotels, though.

[Nuclear_2525]

lol. It is a possiblity in the future. Although, I may stay a silent investor.

Currently weighing all options. My investments may not be limited to just hotels, though.

Hotels are boring anyway...I say go for high-rise residential!!!

[shane453]

Okay, how does everyone here feel about the Residence Inn having a green roof? Or a pitched roof at all?

It's not consistent with Bricktown architecture. Nothing in Bricktown has a pitched roof. I wish they would have realized that before starting construction. It's going to look terrible, if you ask me.

I suppose it wouldn't be too late for them to realize their error and correct the roof design. But I just wanted to know why no one else noticed the inconsistency? I think it's a pretty tacky design...

[John]

Okay, how does everyone here feel about the Residence Inn having a green roof? Or a pitched roof at all?

It's not consistent with Bricktown architecture. Nothing in Bricktown has a pitched roof. I wish they would have realized that before starting construction. It's going to look terrible, if you ask me.

I suppose it wouldn't be too late for them to realize their error and correct the roof design. But I just wanted to know why no one else noticed the inconsistency? I think it's a pretty tacky design...

The roof and roof lines match those of Bass Pro and the Courtyard. Two of downtown/bricktowns finest examples of architecture!

[BG918]

I won't judge it completely until it's done but it sure doesn't impress me much from the renderings. I could come up with a much better design that incorporates the canal and has canalside retail/cafes and no surface parking. I still don't understand why they had to deviate from the entirely brick warehouse theme. That is what makes the area cool and they are ruining it.

[brianinok]

So, they're building on the canal, but walling off the property from it?? Sometimes I wonder why we even built the thing with how the developments on the lower end seem to ignore it rather than incorporate it.

Well, incase you have forgotten, it is illegal to not have a pool behind a fence. From what I understand, it will be behind a wrought iron fence, with some landscaping. The pool and courtyard area will tie the canal to the hotel building itself. It's not meant to be "separate."

I know we all want the best for Bricktown, Downtown, and all of OKC, but I am getting sick of everyone (and I have been guilty, too) complaining about every single project that is announced. The reason I have been coming on this board less and less lately is that every story has a negative spin on it. Is there another board that is at least middle-of-the-road that I can go to? :surrender