New Convention Center?

[thoth]

Were the renderings of the convention center that we've seen so far the actual preliminary design and look, or were those just used for the vote? Also, do the renderings of the convention center in the core to shore plan have any relevance anymore?

[FritterGirl]

Likely no, and no. They really won't be able to put together anything definitive until the go through site selection. Once that's been determined, and land acquired, environmental and other engineering studies conducted, then they'll put forth actual renderings.

The renderings used during Core to Shore were just a mock-up to show participants and stakeholders "what could be." It's the same with any of the renderings used for these kinds of large initiatives. They give you an "idea," but until other critical factors have been determined, the rendering is just there to forward a concept.

[thoth]

That's good. I really didn't like the renderings they put out for the vote. In fact, I thought they were pretty awful looking. I hope that they design something that is really innovative and beautiful looking.

[jbrown84]

I preferred the "rose rock center" design in Skyline Ink's animation over the one shown in MAPS materials.

But neither are necessarily what will be built.

[soonerguru]

God help us if they refer to our convention center as Rose Rock Center.

[jbrown84]

If it looks like a giant rose rock, why not? haha

[betts]

Hopefully not. I actually liked the design that had the apartments on the side of the convention center facing the park, with all the balconies. Trouble is, I don't want the convention center to face the park. So, I'm all for a new design. If the city is getting inundated with calls from architects, like we're told, we should be able to do a little negotiating on price and get a good one. There's not that much in that price range going up around the country right now.

[Thundercitizen]

...If the city is getting inundated with calls from architects, like we're told, we should be able to do a little negotiating on price and get a good one.

and we're fortunate to have several top-notch A-E firms in our backyard.
The thing is everyone will want to face the park, or eventually, the river.

[OKC@heart]

and we're fortunate to have several top-notch A-E firms in our backyard.
The thing is everyone will want to face the park, or eventually, the river.

Unfortunately for those great local A-E Firms, rarely do they get selected to design the really large projects that make a statement, rather usually it is one of the more national firms in Dallas, that get tapped for the job.

However, since the economy is still abysmal, even the most large named architects are hungry and so we might be able to snag a big name architect to help us with an iconic structure that rolls out the welcome mat to conventions who want to be here because of the facility as well as the great things OKC has to support it! Calatrava, Hadid, Hull, partnered with say Gensler or RTKL?

Either way it is going to be exciting to watch events unfold!

[lasomeday]

I think the city should have a competition and get architects from around the world to do some designs for two locations one between the Mill and the "boulevard" and one next to the park.

Maybe we will have some that think outside the box and incorporate the existing buildings or build around them and they could convert the existing buildings into the offices or cafes.

They should also do an international competition for the Central Park. That way we have more options, that possibly incorporate more of the existing buildings instead of building new ones of the restaurants like Hargreaves suggests.

[jbrown84]

I'm pretty sure Hargreaves has the job.

[Spartan]

I am still pulling for them to do the convention center on the mill site AND incorporate the mills. That could really be something cool. For a reference, check out the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis -- they used an old grain mill on the Mississippi River on the northeast side of the river and built a very contemporary museum complex around it. Very edgy and innovative.

I also loved the rose rock center design, but I wanted to throw up in my mouth every time I saw the MAPS 3 rendering. I know that it won't end up looking anything like either of those two.. but I just can't believed they even bothered changing the placeholder design to that hideous look with the garish awnings. Who did they pay to come up with that?? Seriously. And it's no wonder the convention center was so unpopular when those were the images they kept showing everybody.

[betts]

I am still pulling for them to do the convention center on the mill site AND incorporate the mills. That could really be something cool. For a reference, check out the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis -- they used an old grain mill on the Mississippi River on the northeast side of the river and built a very contemporary museum complex around it. Very edgy and innovative.

That's exactly what I've been thinking. I think the mill actually has a very unique look, and could possibly be incorporated. And, after thoroughly looking at all the sites on a bike tour of the area, my husband and I both agree that it is our favorite site. Not that that's going to have any affect on the decision.

[thoth]

Any news about the convention center having a large hotel attached to it?

[bdhumphreys]

I think the city should have a competition and get architects from around the world to do some designs...

Completely agree. But the location should be selected first through the open "consensus building" process promised by the Mayor. Otherwise, it will be too difficult to separate the debate about site selection from the debate about design.

Why wouldn't we do a design competition? It is one of the best ways to get allow the community to see what is possible and choose the best fit.

[lasomeday]

Having a competition will also bring more national attention to us. Architects from around the world will come and visit the site. They might possibly see the potential of OKC while they are here, and maybe do another project.

[Spartan]

Completely agree. But the location should be selected first through the open "consensus building" process promised by the Mayor. Otherwise, it will be too difficult to separate the debate about site selection from the debate about design.

Why wouldn't we do a design competition? It is one of the best ways to get allow the community to see what is possible and choose the best fit.

There really isn't anybody that I've heard of, besides the City, advocating for it to go on the C2S site.. so that begs the question what the deal is.

[lasomeday]

That city planning department has a department of MBA's/marketing people that are fighting for Core to Shore to be the concrete plan for the area. The group has no design or planning experience.

[Spartan]

The problem with that though, from a marketing perspective, is that true urbanism I think sells itself better. People know the real thing when they see it. I think that's why people in OKC generally favor the mill site over the Shields site. I also think that's why locals are so critical of Lower Bricktown, Bass Pro in particular.

[rcjunkie]

Any news about the convention center having a large hotel attached to it?

Maybe John Q. Hammons will take a look at this location for yet another downtown hotel, he already has 3 in the Downtown/Bricktown area, plus 1 in Norman and 1 in Tulsa.

[Spartan]

A JQH hotel isn't quite what we're looking for in a convention hotel. I'd be expecting a brand more like a Hyatt, Four Seasons, Omni, etc etc..

[Larry OKC]

Aren't most hotel chains just franchises anyway? Can all have the same owner but different brand names on the doors?

[rcjunkie]

A JQH hotel isn't quite what we're looking for in a convention hotel. I'd be expecting a brand more like a Hyatt, Four Seasons, Omni, etc etc..

I disagree, a few months back I stayed at the Renaissance Resort at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine Fl. a John Q. Hammons Hotel and something like this would be a welcome addition to our City.

[Dustin]

The rose rock design looks like it would cost a gazillion dollars! Would be nice though..

[soonerguru]

I would hope we would shoot for the moon on convention center hotel brands.