Fordson Hotel (formerly 21c Museum Hotel)

[Pete]

Heard the 21c people were in OKC this week interviewing general contractors.

Hopefully, this project will soon get rolling.


Still can't believe this is happening, but very glad it is!

[bchris02]

Heard the 21c people were in OKC this week interviewing general contractors.

Hopefully, this project will soon get rolling.


Still can't believe this is happening, but very glad it is!

This is an example of a developer looking to the future and at trends and taking a risk. It's a stark contrast to what we see from people like Rainey Williams and many national retailers. I am pretty certain, barring an economic collapse, this hotel will spur significant development along with it.

[Spartan]

This is an example of a developer looking to the future and at trends and taking a risk. It's a stark contrast to what we see from people like Rainey Williams and many national retailers. I am pretty certain, barring an economic collapse, this hotel will spur significant development along with it.

Ie., vision.

[Urbanized]

Granted this is a bit if a different animal, but in general hotels have a much easier time with site selection than do retailers. They usually get most of their customers through a reservation system, not from surrounding neighborhoods. Their customers are looking for a brand, and a general location, often dictated fully or in part by proximity to companies they are doing business with, attractions and highway access.

Typically, a hotel locating in a business or industrial area isn't being especially courageous. See I-40/Meridian. That said, this hotel is different than most. I suspect what drew them was heavily influenced by the building itself and its owners (their new partners).

[OKVision4U]

This is an example of a developer looking to the future and at trends and taking a risk. It's a stark contrast to what we see from people like Rainey Williams and many national retailers. I am pretty certain, barring an economic collapse, this hotel will spur significant development along with it.

This is what I mean by, we need outside money. They are used to speinding it in large sums. Projects move through concept to completion much quicker (as all the players are usually lined up). I want both the local & outside investments.

They (outside developers ) also have their own financing sources that are more comfortable & agressive as well. I'm ready for 21c Museum Hotel... Welcome!

[Urbanized]

The last time a risk was taken in building a downtown hotel was in 1999 with the Renaissance, which itself was not much of a risk. People should attempt to understand and consider the fundamental differences in businesses and their respective models/customers before riffing on them.

That said, I'm not saying this hotel development isn't more risky/visionary than others; it is.

[Spartan]

Granted this is a bit if a different animal, but in general hotels have a much easier time with site selection than do retailers. They usually get most of their customers through a reservation system, not from surrounding neighborhoods. Their customers are looking for a brand, and a general location, often dictated fully or in part by proximity to companies they are doing business with, attractions and highway access.

Typically, a hotel locating in a business or industrial area isn't being especially courageous. See I-40/Meridian. That said, this hotel is different than most. I suspect what drew them was heavily influenced by the building itself and its owners (their new partners).

I don't know why you're being defensive of retail site selection when the point was made that that process, which exists primarily to stamp out visionary pie in the sky stuff (for better or for worse, we can all agree on that), is contrary to the business philosophy here. These 21c guys take risks and are reaping huge rewards with a brilliant concept.

I agree with you totally that hotel site selection has less constraints on it than other processes, which goes to economic development 101, from which I always enjoy getting your perspective on. It's funny because I usually back you up and bash bchris, but he had an excellent point. They aren't a brand yet and they are pioneering a location as well, west of Film Row. It's similar to what you've accomplished as Bricktown's only stable, long-term retailer when all of us on here are constantly bashing Bricktown and Downtown for failing to attract retailers (though it clearly now is, and the best type of retail with the surge in local offerings).

I think you may be right that this is about the building, which will make them successful, and their partners in the owners and the city which gave them the TIF. This speaks as to why historic preservation is so vital to economic development, because as long as the best building stock is kept standing, those opportunities will work themselves out over time and they will be smashing hits.

[betts]

This speaks as to why historic preservation is so vital to economic development, because as long as the best building stock is kept standing, those opportunities will work themselves out over time and they will be smashing hits.

Amen.

[Urbanized]

The only point I am trying to make is that - despite the fact that posters here are treating them as similar animals for comparison sake - hotel site selection and retail site selection have very little in common. Much in the same way that site selection for a truck stop has almost no similarity to picking a spot for a Cheesecake Factory. Sometimes folks here fail to consider use and intended/desired consumers when spouting on a subject. At its most basic, they really are the most fundamental aspects of business.

Also, thanks for the props, but do want to point out that both Bass Pro and Painted Door Gallery predate our efforts.

[bradh]

At first I was very skeptical of this site, but after driving around the area again last week after a late lunch at Joey's, it's not as bad as I originally thought. I think the connection to the rest of the expansion in Film Row will happen rather quickly.

[Spartan]

The only point I am trying to make is that - despite the fact that posters here are treating them as similar animals for comparison sake - hotel site selection and retail site selection have very little in common. Much in the same way that site selection for a truck stop has almost no similarity to picking a spot for a Cheesecake Factory. Sometimes folks here fail to consider use and intended/desired consumers when spouting on a subject. At its most basic, they really are the most fundamental aspects of business.

Also, thanks for the props, but do want to point out that both Bass Pro and Painted Door Gallery predate our efforts.

It's an insult to compare you and Avis to Bass Pro, but that is noted. I'll hit up the Painted Door anytime I need some chochky whatnot. I admire that you merch actual stuff.

[Pete]

[Urbanized]

Man I love that building. Always dreamed it would be some great loft housing someday. But this is awfully close, and really, might be better. Better because I'll be able to spend the night there sometime!

[jccouger]

It really is an amazing building. And knowing the people at 21c will spare no expense to rehab just makes me incredibly giddy. This is the kind of project that spurs development all around it. Think about how many upper to upper upper class people that will want to stay there. Then think about all the money those kind of people are willing to spend. High end shops are going to pop up all around here just because they are gonna have that target market right next door. Its gonna be spectacular, and I wouldn't be surprised if Film row becomes the fastest growing district after this is finished.

[Pete]

I hope there is a rooftop bar. Seems to be pretty standard at most their hotels.

Will also be very interesting to see what the Jones family has in store for the surrounding properties, as Steve has said a few times that they plan to invest some money.

[DammitDan]

I seem to remember a vodka distillery that was based here for a while that has since left for greener, less law-restrictive pastures. Am I wrong?

[Urbanized]

Not exactly. They shut down entirely. It's a shame, too. They were making good vodka.

One more thought on that: they were actually a few years in front of the handcraft distillery craze, which is somewhat amazing. They might have survived if they had opened now instead of then...especially if the distiller whiskey instead of vodka.

[pure]

somewhat random, but about 10 years ago or so, A local Christian rock band (that made it "big" in the Christian rock world) shot a music video at this building on the roof. They also shot a video at the old Green Door club when it was in Bricktown.

[Urbanized]

Christian Rock and Roll? Does God know about this?

[Pete]

^

That's cool! Also, I kind of like their sound.


It will be interesting to see if they keep the water tower on the roof and if so, if they paint it, put 21c on it, etc.

Can't wait to see what they do with the interior.

[Urbanized]

Haha snuck that post in on you Pete. Don't you hate it when that happens?

[catch22]

Having played drums in a music video before, makes them hard to watch. Knowing how fake all the performances are. Lol. I like their sound but not a fan of the vocals.

[UnFrSaKn]

somewhat random, but about 10 years ago or so, A local Christian rock band (that made it "big" in the Christian rock world) shot a music video at this building on the roof. They also shot a video at the old Green Door club when it was in Bricktown.

Wow, had no idea. What I do know though is about that music video they did at Green Door. If you watched the music video, I'm in the first 3 seconds of footage. It turned out to be their last concert because they broke up.

Found the video. Don't want this to go off topic though. I'm at the :08 mark on the left. To edit this video, they replay the song many many times and each one people were asked to go crazy like it was one take. It got kinda repetitive but was the only music video I could say I was or will ever be involved in.

[ljbab728]

Does anyone know if the plans are to keep that water tower on the top of the building? I think that could be a fun feature to incorporate into any rooftop design.

[Urbanized]

If they are accepting historic tax credits (I believe they are..?) the removal of the water tower would probably be discouraged if not outright forbidden.

I do think that it would be allowable or even encouraged for them to remove the late-nineties era Fred Jones logo and replace it with the classic script FJ logo or even the Ford logo that probably existed when it was a Model T assembly plant. Knowing the Halls, they would probably hope to preserve the Fred Jones portion of the history, as I know they are genuinely (and rightfully) proud of that heritage.