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An applicant is seeking approval of a shipping container boutique hotel in downtown Weatherford, such as The Middleton Hotel in Graham, as seen here.
A hotel room at The Middleton in Graham.
An applicant is seeking approval of a shipping container boutique hotel in downtown Weatherford, such as The Middleton Hotel in Graham, as seen here.
A hotel room at The Middleton in Graham.
WEATHERFORD — An applicant specializing in hotels from shipping containers was granted a conditional use permit from the city for a location in downtown Weatherford Monday night.
ATH Hotel Group, LLC, which created the Middleton Hotel in Graham, had its sites set on a portion of the southeast corner of the square, including part of the old Cotten-Bratton building.
The group was proposing a 16-room boutique hotel constructed from shipping containers, along with a coffee/cocktail bar, restaurant, event space, courtyard and private pool. The container rooms are proposed to be placed in the southeast corner of the empty lot directly adjacent to existing structure at 117 College Avenue, while the carports along the southern wall will be removed as part of the courtyard conversion and installation in the open lot, with hedges, a fountain and artificial turf.
The bar, restaurant and courtyard will be open to the general public, according to the applicant.
Resident Jamie Bodiford, who spoke during the public hearing, said she met with the applicants and took a tour of the location in Graham.
“It’s so exciting to see something very classy ... I think we’ve needed something like this in Weatherford for several years,” she said, adding that both developers have ties to Weatherford, including the grandson of former WC President E.W. Mince.
John Helm, who owns a home catty corner to the proposed site, said his main concern was looking out the kitchen window and seeing shipping containers.
“I don’t care how you dress them up, it’s still a shipping container,” he said, adding that he has visited with the developers and feels confident they will screen it properly. “But I’m also an attorney, and owners change, circumstances happen, property flips.
“I want to make sure the screening stays there in the future.”
Several councilmembers admitted they had been on the fence, at least initially.
Mayor Pro Tem Heidi Wilder had concerns over whether the hotel fit the branding of Weatherford, particularly the monochromatic texture of the storage containers.
“I wasn’t 100 percent sold at first, but there’s lots of benefits ... they’re saving a building that very well could be the next theater, or building that gets torn down,” Kevin Cleveland said. “And if it’s not successful, you’ve got a beautiful [restored] building and containers that can be taken out.”
The original stucco finish on the exterior of the existing building will be repaired and bricks and tile will be refreshed and repaired as needed, according to the application. The metal awnings along College Avenue will be removed from each window to expose the stained glass, which will also be repaired with a new set to protect the original design.
Interior remodeling will be limited to basic restoration, with minor updates to electrical, plumbing and ADA restrooms, and installation of a bar will be the largest conversion on the interior.
Councilmember Matt Ticzkus said it seemed “kinda crazy” when he first heard it, but noted it would bring a unique experience to downtown.
“People don’t stay on Interstate 20 and come and enjoy our beautiful downtown,” Zack Smith added. “This is on target to bring more people to the downtown area and I feel like others might get on board in terms of dining, entertainment...”
Mayor Paul Paschall reiterated that the applicants were not making any architectural changes to the building.
“If we don’t take care of things in our community that we love so much, that are historic, we know they won’t remain,” he added.
He said he, too, had toured the hotel in Graham and was "vastly impressed" with the property, including the containers which were "very nice" inside and adorned with artwork from local artists. Paschal said that general concept is also planned for the Weatherford property.
The applicant has plans to begin construction immediately once all approvals and permits are obtained, according to documents submitted to the city of Weatherford.
The Planning and Zoning Commission Oct. 11 unanimously recommended approval of the conditional use permit subject to several conditions, including meeting screening requirements for all refuse and service areas; conforming exterior finishes and signage to the Central Business District zoning ordinance; requirements for length of the south boundary wall, retaining wall and privacy fence; and adding an art-deco façade consistent with the primary structure to the exterior western and southern faces of the shipping containers.
Councilmembers sought clarity Monday on the final condition, establishing that the applicant would be required to produce “art deco or landscape screening of the south and west sides” of the shipping container hotel “consistent with primary structure subject to staff approval, prior to occupancy.”
The conditional use permit would also be void if construction does not begin within eight months of ordinance approval, or if construction is not completed within 20 months.
The permit was unanimously approved.
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