Hammons’ next project: downtown Oklahoma City

Bricktown is a converted historic warehouse district with restaurants, clubs, boutiques and galleries bordering the Bricktown Canal.

Construction on the new Residence Inn is under way and is expected to culminate late next year. John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts LLC would manage the hotel, the first extended-stay property to be built in Bricktown.

“The downtown district is undergoing an incredible transformation and presents an excellent opportunity for development,” Hammons said in this morning’s news release.

A construction cost was not disclosed.

“We are proud to see the property coming on line,” added Joe Van Bullard, director of Oklahoma City's Urban Renewal Authority. “The high standard of quality and service associated with Mr. Hammons’ properties will certainly serve to benefit the revitalization of the downtown district.”

Springfield-based Bass Pro Shops already has a presence in Bricktown – the 104,000-square-foot Outdoor World. The store recorded year-to-date sales of $26.92 million through October, compared to $26.81 million for the same 10 months last year, according to the Urban Renewal Authority. Privately owned Bass Pro is required to report the store’s monthly sales based on the financing agreement, which has the city paying about $18 million for the store’s construction. An independent consultant had projected a 2 percent annual increase in sales, which company officials refuted.

Other Bricktown tenants are Ford Center, a sports and entertainment facility, Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ballpark, home of the Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. There also are plans for the Toby Keith Entertainment Complex.