New Dallas Hotel Announces Time Capsule Project

Whatever they are, owners and designers of the new Aloft Hotel in downtown Dallas say they want to seal them in a time capsule for the next 50 years.

"This is a pivotal moment in the history of Dallas. We are truly as a crossroad regarding the life of this city and the downtown district, in particular," said Aloft Developer Ajay Kothari. He stood Friday morning in the foyer of the new hotel being built inside the 85-year-old Santa Fe railroad building on Young Street. "With the Arts District on the verge of completion, the Deck Park now under construction, and hotels like this one breathing new life into the city, we feel this year will be seen as the tipping point."

Kothari and his partners want Dallas residents to submit their suggestions for items to be included in the time capsule. "We are hoping that Dallas citizens will suggest objects that typify Dallas and modern life in general," said Kothari. For the next six weeks, his development team will be taking suggestions sent to ideas@timecapsuledallas.com. Submissions will be considered on an individual basis. People who submit winning ideas will receive coupons for a free two-night stay at the Aloft Hotel. Contractors plan to seal the time capsule in an underground chamber just off the front lobby of the new hotel. "We honor the past by preserving it," said Kothari. "And we hope that the next generation will respect our efforts and ideas, as well." The time capsule is scheduled to be re-opened in 2059.

The developers are renovating the old railroad warehouse as the latest incarnation of "aloft," Starwood's newest hotel concept. But instead of removing the antique brick walls and massive concrete pillars of the warehouse, they have embraced the raw, urban motif and used it to define the new hotel's interior.

"Obviously, we are enamored with history," said Kothari. "This is a classic industrial gem from the Roaring '20s and we wanted to embrace the city's history instead of destroying it."

The hotel will open August 27th, with a grand opening gala September 18th.

For more information, contact Ajay Kothari @ 972.281.9555 or Brady Media Group @ 214.265.5670.