Level Apartments

[Pete]

The great thing about the modern / minimalist approach used in the hallways and other areas is that it's very easy to change if need be.

Tile or carpet the floors, add some paint and art and nothing has to be pulled out or wasted.

I'll reserve judgment until the whole thing is finished but I give them credit for trying something somewhat bold and new to OKC.

[Pete]

Took a good look around yesterday and two things:

The build out for Native Roots is just now getting started, with some metal studs going in. The building permit was issued some time ago but it looks like they are only now commencing, so they are a couple of months out I would say.

The area in front of Level and at the corner of Walnut is a complete mess. Almost impossible to even cross the street there. I know they still have landscaping to do but with people living there and them trying to market the property, they need to get this taken care of ASAP. Probably some things outside their control like utilities, but it needs to get done.

[lindsey]

The crew at LEVEL has been working pretty diligently and made significant progress in the last week or so - pouring concrete for parking spots and planting trees. I expect them to be done fairly soon.

You really think Native Roots is a few months away? Gosh - tell me it isn't so.

[Spartan]

I went by today and saw counters being installed inside, maybe a month? I think they'll be open sometime soon.

I agree on a personal level with Pete's assessment that the street corner there isn't even walkable. Really, nothing around LEVEL is walkable atm.

Btw Pete - so McKown's next project is on the triangle-shaped block between Harrison and Bradshaw's Maywood Apartments?

[Pete]

Btw Pete - so McKown's next project is on the triangle-shaped block between Harrison and Bradshaw's Maywood Apartments?

See below:

[Spartan]

Oh alright, that makes more sense. AHMM again?

[lindsey]

Went to Native Roots in Norman a few days ago...asked about when the OKC location was opening. They said "August" is what they have been told from LEVEL. And then fed me some line about how it's the biggest construction project or something. Yeah. Right. I'm sad because I really wanted the store to be open this month - which is clearly not going to happen.

[Spartan]

Well I guess LEVEL will have its own 3-month period of being the largest current construction project...unless Aloft being 7 stories makes it bigger, none of which matters when Pitman breaks ground on his next hotel, but I digress..

[catch22]

NE 2nd St & Oklahoma Ave by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

NE 2nd St & Oklahoma Ave. by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

LEVEL Urban Apartments by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

LEVEL Urban Apartments by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

LEVEL Urban Apartments by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

NE 2nd St by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

LEVEL Urban Apartments by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

LEVEL Urban Apartments Courtyard by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

LEVEL Urban Apartments Courtyard by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

LEVEL Urban Apartments by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

LEVEL Urban Apartments by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

NE 2nd St Streetscape by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

NE 2nd St by Matthew Bridges, on Flickr

[dankrutka]

Wow! Looks like they're getting very close! I love this project. Great attention to detail, and it offers something different for OKC.

[Good_lance]

Is it only me that feels that the LEVEL feels cheap and has not taste. IMO deep deuce has a character to it... still trying to figure out what the design is all about

[dankrutka]

A lot of people in the aLoft thread having been questioning the quality of the LEVEL build. Do most people feel like LEVEL will not hold because it was built cheaply and quickly?

[Corey]

A lot of people in the aLoft thread having been questioning the quality of the LEVEL build. Do most people feel like LEVEL will not hold because it was built cheaply and quickly?

I don't feel like they're cheap. Maybe they could've chose something better than this fake wood vinyl flooring in the units, but overall definitely better quality than the place I lived before here, Montclair Parc Apartments.

[Urbanized]

Stick-built is not a problem for that type of residential development. It is still the most common construction you will see for all types of housing, including upscale. At only 4 stories it doesn't require structural steel or they type of build you would see for a high rise.

As a hotel, Aloft is a different animal. They are using individual tilt-up panels on some pretty massive foundation work, and it should be highly durable. But I think due to the difference in application they each used very appropriate techniques.

[OSUMom]

Something occured to me the other day, that would probably be a big hit going in one of the retail spots at Level or in the brick units to the west of Level. A liquor store. Where is the closest liquor store to downtown?

[CaptDave]

Byron's on 23rd and Broadway?

[Sean]

There's one on 8th and Broadway.

[betts]

Yes, Broadway Wine Merchants on 8th and Broadway. They've got a lot more than wine, and I buy all my alcohol products there, as I find them very helpful and they're got nice wines and beer.

[Corey]

There's one on 8th and Broadway.

Yes, Broadway Wine Merchants on 8th and Broadway. They've got a lot more than wine, and I buy all my alcohol products there, as I find them very helpful and they're got nice wines and beer.

Hey good to know!

[Soho]

A lot of people in the aLoft thread having been questioning the quality of the LEVEL build. Do most people feel like LEVEL will not hold because it was built cheaply and quickly?

Living across the street and having a Birdseye view, I have taken >1000 pictures during construction. When I get time (don't hold your breath), I will share the best of which on this site.

While I am not in the construction business, there never appeared to be shortcuts or shoddy workmanship. I believe the photos will be proof of that. One example: they worked 24 hours a day last summer (at the expense of pissed off neighbors!), to pour concrete during the coolest time of day. That had to add extra cost, if for no other reason than overtime pay.

The only thing I have noticed that is concerning, are the streaks that are already beginning to show around the windows, staining the white stucco.

[onthestrip]

While I am not in the construction business, there never appeared to be shortcuts or shoddy workmanship. I believe the photos will be proof of that. One example: they worked 24 hours a day last summer (at the expense of pissed off neighbors!), to pour concrete during the coolest time of day. That had to add extra cost, if for no other reason than overtime pay.

The only thing I have noticed that is concerning, are the streaks that are already beginning to show around the windows, staining the white stucco.

In summer months it's not uncommon for big concrete pours to start in th early morning hours. I'd be surprised if they were actually working 24hrs straight but maybe they were. And I know a lot of concrete companies don't like to pay overtime so maybe they had different crews alternating.

Also, the white EIFS (fake stucco) will definitely stain with rains over time, and will most likely get worse. Probably not the best color to go with

[Soho]

In summer months it's not uncommon for big concrete pours to start in th early morning hours. I'd be surprised if they were actually working 24hrs straight but maybe they were. And I know a lot of concrete companies don't like to pay overtime so maybe they had different crews alternating.

Also, the white EIFS (fake stucco) will definitely stain with rains over time, and will most likely get worse. Probably not the best color to go with

24 hours may sound like an exaggeration if you weren't there, in fairness, the klieg lights (only slightly dimmer than the sun) would come on at ~10pm and workers would start setting forms and re-bar. A crew of former American Airlines baggage handlers would throw re-bar bundles around like tinker toys. Then at ~2am the cement trucks and pumps would rev up like a covey of NASCAR wannabes and run until 8 or 9am. This went on until October.

The good news is, I have learned more Spanish from listening to the workers yell at each other.

[dankrutka]

Also, the white EIFS (fake stucco) will definitely stain with rains over time, and will most likely get worse. Probably not the best color to go with

How can this be addressed to keep the building looking clean?

[Urbanized]

I've noticed those stains too. It doesn't seem to be degradation of the exterior cladding but rather from something rusting and the rusty water running down the facade. I'm guessing they are from hardware or other metal that was used where stainless steel should have been used instead.

[onthestrip]

How can this be addressed to keep the building looking clean?

I'm really not sure. I own a building that has white eifs crown on top of the brick and has stained where water runs off. The only thing on top of it is a coated metal cap that isn't rusting so I don't know what causes it. Might be the caulking around the windows that is somehow leaking color when it gets wet.

As far as fixing it, applying another coat of the color is all I can think of. I don't think eifs is something you should power wash