The New Marriott Residence Inn

[BDP]

Other urban Courtyards:
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/PHLDC
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/PITCY
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/WASCN
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DENCD
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/HOUDT

Our urban Courtyard:
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/OKCDT

This is great comparison. You can see that even in side by side, "apples to apples", comparisons our "urban courtyard" doesn't look very urban and is pretty bland compared to others in the same class. But the real point is that the Courtyard was built on the only available lot that sat right next to our new 20k arena and directly across the street from our large and updated convention center. Time will only tell, but that lot would have been much better suited for a much bigger hotel. And, because of the hotel market in which it was built, it was a big compromise for that location and in retrospect was a huge missed opportunity. Hopefully, in 10 to 20 years, OKC will be worth the risk.

I am not saying that the Courtyard and the Residence Inn are bad hotels on their own or that we don't need their low price points in our inventory, but they are eating up prime development space that could have, and I guess I feel should have, been used for more ambitious hotels. I don't think the residence property needs to be bigger, but it is pretty unoriginal, even with the brick. It doesn't incorporate the canal very well and, yes, looks very much like a Meridian Ave development.

Yes, they are better than empty pad sites in the short term. My point was that in the long term, if we really wanted be able to host larger conventions, these projects will be in the way more than they are an asset. In the long term they could be a factor in stunting our convention and tourism industries, because the prime locations on which any ambitious hotel would need to be located to justify and recoup its expense have all been developed with ponderous ones. Neither are flagship developments that would look favorable in comparison to most modest hotels in other markets, yet they are on our most important properties.

I think many still have the approach that "it's good enough for OKC". But if you want to grow and attract visitors and conventions who have dozens of similar options, you want things that are both distinguishable and memorable, as well as accommodating. The most logical thing would be to commit your most visible spaces for development to those goals. These do not do that.

I am not saying that everything has to be a Colcord or Skirvin. All I am saying is that this is a very pedestrian hotel on what was supposed to be a very defining public attraction. This and the Courtyard are compromises anyway you slice it and, hopefully, in 10 to 20 years OKC is regretting those compromises instead of still having to make them.

[Doug Loudenback]

If I'm not mistaken, this was not announced but rather discussed. I usually stay on top of these issues and attend any planning meetings I can and to my recollection it was merely discussed. I know possible other uses for the current location included restaurants or housing. I personally like the architecture and history of the building, it just needs to be cleaned up.

I agree ... it's a nice little piece of our history, built in 1941 ...

[brianinok]

The Residence Inn is up on Marriott.com.
Residence Inn Oklahoma City Downtown/Bricktown: Suites and amenities for corporate travel

It will open in December. Also, I think it is good to note that while it may not be a full-service hotel, it at least will have a restaurant open for all 3 daily meals for its guests. I think that is a plus. Most Residence Inns just have a small room for breakfast and that is it.

Club House
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

[HOT ROD]

I'm still in love with Marriott for this:

Oklahoma City Hotels: Marriott's quality accommodations for business or family fun

[ChristianConservative]

What a bummer that it's going to have an outdoor swimming pool. How urban is that?

[brianinok]

The Sheraton's pool is outside. Indoor pool done not necessarily equal urban, and outside pool does not necessarily equal suburban.

[Keith]

Here are some updated pics of the Marriott Residence Inn, the Bricktown Police Station, and the NEW Walnut Bridge.





The two above pics are of the new Walnut Ave. Bridge, looking towards the north.



The Bricktown Police Substation (south side)



The Bricktown Police Substation (east side)



The new Residence Inn (north side)

Bricktown is looking great!

[Doug Loudenback]

Very nice, Keith!

[Spartan]

How can you say, "Bricktown is lookin great" after taking a photo of that thing?

[floater]

I may be the odd man out, but the Residence Inn is looking better and better as it develops. Now I just hope its connection to the canal is tastefully done. Anything gated would defeat its site on the canal.

[Spartan]

Howabout a nice green gate to match the green roof?

[writerranger]

This is not a pile-on of all the criticisms of lower Bricktown, but I sure wish they would have used red brick. The light colored brick doesn't seem to fit.

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[metro]

I drove by today. The covered entryway is now up and I'd say about 80% of the brick is complete. I bet it is open by December.

[brianinok]

The pool area will have to have a gate around it. It's the law.

[Luke]

The pool area will have to have a gate around it. It's the law.

That and you don't want random folks hoppin' in the pool from the canal sidewalk.

[ChristianConservative]

I can't believe they're going to have an outdoor pool. How silly. I sure wouldn't want to be swimming out there with water taxis passing by. If the hotel had any class it would have an indoor pool.

I agree with the assessment on the brick. It could have at least been red brick.

[Watson410]

I also disagree with the whole outdoor pool. They shouldn't even have put in a pool if they were going to do that. Why are you guys so against the light brick? Have you seen an ariel view of bricktown? It looks pretty bad! Everything is nothing but red buildings, absolutely no character. Why not add a little different color of brick in the mix instead of the same ol' boring red brick?

[Easy180]

I agree with Watson...If all the new builds in Bricktown had similar brick it may start resembling a bad Home Creations - Stepford Wives neighborhood

[Patrick]

Should we change the name to Brick&Stuccotown?

[Spartan]

Or Brick,Stucco,&FightTown.

In fact, let's all go get drunk and get in a fight ourselves. Actually I'm a teetotaler, so howabout if we load up on O'Doul's and then get in a fake fight and get on the news?

And we could be fighting over "The New Marriott Residence Inn, See Page 4!!" while we're at it.

[BDP]

it may start resembling a bad Home Creations - Stepford Wives neighborhood

I don't think any kind of brick could have saved this thing. Lower Bricktown looks like a bad home Creations neigborhood for sure. The saddest thing is that the hotel, as ugly as it is, fits in perfectly with everything around it.

[metro]

maybe we can get the lady from the tv commercial that offers to buy houses with the little dog and say "does your neighbor have a tastefully designed home?, is their squirrels in your attic, we'll come on down to Lower Bricktown and stay at the unsightly Residence Inn"

[BG918]

I was down there last night, and I actually don't think this hotel will look all that bad. I kinda like the green roof and the pool/courtyard area will be nice if they landscape it well and add lots of tables and chairs. It is too bad though that there is not a poolside restaurant, that would have been nice.

[Easy180]

Was thinking the same thing when I drove by this morning...It's no Ritz, but it doesn't look half bad...Certainly not an embarrasment to bricktown

[writerranger]

Was thinking the same thing when I drove by this morning...It's no Ritz, but it doesn't look half bad...Certainly not an embarrasment to bricktown

No doubt. It's activity and shows progress. You are right, it doesn't have to be a Ritz - that comes later.