New Hotel Proposed Across from Arena

[Renaissance]

This sounds like an incredibly intelligent, downtown-sensitive project.  It's obvious that you and the others have spend a lot of time considering exactly what Tulsa needs to fill that space in a way that is most beneficial to the immediate area.

Here's wishing you and the developer best of luck with dealing with a capricious, aritrary TDA as well as tight credit markets.  FOTD's percent likelihood was, unfortunately, more observation of reality than naysaying.  Please keep us posted on progress--and feel free to ask for our input (though it appears you already have been doing so on the sly). [8D]

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by Floyd

This sounds like an incredibly intelligent, downtown-sensitive project.  It's obvious that you and the others have spend a lot of time considering exactly what Tulsa needs to fill that space in a way that is most beneficial to the immediate area.

Here's wishing you and the developer best of luck with dealing with a capricious, aritrary TDA as well as tight credit markets.  FOTD's percent likelihood was, unfortunately, more observation of reality than naysaying.  Please keep us posted on progress--and feel free to ask for our input (though it appears you already have been doing so on the sly). [8D]

The credit for the design goes to our architect, Larry Gordon Wilson, and we are always listening.  []

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by Floyd

Here's wishing you and the developer best of luck with dealing with a capricious, arbitrary TDA as well as tight credit markets.

If the TDA sold itself the property back-and-forth (using pseudo-corporations) to inflate the price, it could end up requiring some sort of taxpayer rescue when the costs go over.
Hopefully the taxpayers will be enjoying a better economy by then.

[carltonplace]

This is great news. Thanks for all of the inside info and the renderings Gaspar.

[Gaspar]

Channel 8 was just here too, so I have to give them a shout out.  You can get more info on both 2 and 8 tonight.

[AVERAGE JOE]

Gaspar, I also appreciate the thoughtful way this project has been conceptualized. Especially your thoughts about not breaking up the sidewalk. It seems unlikely from the renderings that the garage access points would align with the curb cuts for the alley that ran north/south through the block. But the alleys have proven that one mid-block curb cut still allows for a good pedestrian environment. Seems as though that's generally your aim, which is a good plan IMHO.

[TheArtist]

I like it so far. Glad to see the other side with the pedestrian friendly stuff facing the arena. I know the garage side cant be perfect. There is the old saying pertaining to pedestrian friendliness, "If you try to make every street a perfect street, none of them will be."  You just have to decide which streets you want to be your "A" streets that will hopefully connect to other "A" streets and areas... and which will be your "B" streets. This looks to be the obvious approach in that respect.

However... you can make even blank walls more interesting to people who will have to walk by them. Course it adds to the cost but perhaps some simple, creative ideas like....

If during construction some panels are delineated in whatever the wall material is so that artwork can be painted on them [8D] like such...

Would be a very inexpensive way to add life, color and interest to what could otherwise be a boring wall.


Then have local artists, TCC art students, etc. volunteer to do some funky colorful artwork in each panel. It would liven up that side of the building. Situate each panel between the trees. You could even set some paramaters. Do whatever you like but have an art-deco theme to it. Or just let em have at it... after you approve it of course lol. Also that wall could use a "wainscotting" of a different color to add something extra to it.

I will volunteer to do one of the panels. []


Btw, style wise. My first impression was more contempo/retro 50s than deco. But regardless, I like either lol.

[TulsaEx]

Gaspar,

I'm sure it has already been considered, but in case it hasn't, that roof space above the retail would make for a spectacular rooftop bar, restaurant or beer garden.  The views of the arena and the rest of downtown would be amazing and would rival the best rooftop bars in Austin, San Diego and Denver.

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by TulsaEx

Gaspar,

I'm sure it has already been considered, but in case it hasn't, that roof space above the retail would make for a spectacular rooftop bar, restaurant or beer garden.  The views of the arena and the rest of downtown would be amazing and would rival the best rooftop bars in Austin, San Diego and Denver.

Yes there are some plans for the roof space.  Thanks.

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist


Btw, style wise. My first impression was more contempo/retro 50s than deco. But regardless, I like either lol.

there are definitely deco elements there.  The problem for art deco is that the main movement didn't have the advancements of glass technology we have now.  you sort of have to take a new outlook on art deco because of this.

There are actually quite a few structural and material advances that allow the style to better accentuate the Deco style and make many of the Deco elements functional as well.  

You have to understand that Art Deco is not just a single style.  It's very wide in its interpretation.  Usually the recognizable element of Art Deco is the use of accentuated geometry that extends beyond the "necessary."  It can be very jagged and geometrically ornate or very streemlined, or it may contain elements of both.

It has a mechanical aspect that makes it seem modern.  Today we have the materials and engineering to build in this style and actually make the "accentuated" elements functional parts of the design rather than simply ornamentation.

DT Tulsa still has many Art Deco elements, but over time we have added a majority of simple rectangle and square glass structures.  I think this design will help to re-invigorate the architectural diversity in downtown and hopefully spur other designers and architects to revive Tulsa's unique Art Deco pedigree.

It's a really fun style to work with because it lends immense creative opportunity and as I mentioned before, we now have materials that will make sure elements of this style are useful economical and stand the test of time.

I can't predict how this development will end up.  To a large extent, the Hotel, and anchors may dictate the ultimate style, but so far we have gotten a huge rush of support for what we are proposing, and this will certainly help us to maintain a strong influence over the end product.

People look at the arena and think Wow!  
So lets surround it with buildings that continue that emotional response.

There are still several parcels of land available downtown for very reasonable prices.  I think as good developers realize these opportunities and gain a comfort level working with the city to produce the absolute best project for each site, we will see an explosion downtown development.

I just hope that the city feels that our project is a fit for this land.  We have our fingers crossed.

[sgrizzle]

I saw the story on Channel 2 last night and was impressed even more. From what I have heard in the past, I don't think you will have a problem with TDA. They mishandled the Greenwood deal but that is because they were dealing with several things that they have never dealt with before, whereas this is a fairly cut-and-dry deal.

[sgrizzle]

Channel 8 story, with video:
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/1008/558155.html

[Renaissance]

My only concern about TDA and the Mayor's office is this: Old City Hall is ostensibly on the market as well as a potential site for a convention hotel.  That site won't be ready for development for some time, but it still concerns me that, as in the case of Novus homes, there is potential for the development priorities of the TDA and the Mayor's office to get sideways.  

Get your popcorn ready.

[PonderInc]

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar


Yes retail all around. The only break will be for entrance to the hotel and parking structure, but we are working to make that have the least impact on the frontage.  What you see on the East side of the structure (the part with no windows) is due to the fact that the garage entry location is still under consideration.

There is approximately 45,000 s.f. of retail/restaurant facing the street.  

Thanks for the info!  Sounds like a great plan!

[MDepr2007]

Questions:
Why would the city allow more convention space.?

Does Tulsa need more convention space downtown or anywhere in town with more than a 100 to 200 occupancy rate?