View Full Version : Historic Hotels in downtown OKC



HOT ROD
12-19-2009, 05:09 PM
Hi everyone. I was reading an old thread about the Myriad Gardens and I started thinking:

with the success of the Skirvin as a Hilton and more particularly the Colcord as a boutique hotel - are there any other historic office properties in downtown that could be converted into hotel properties?

It would be very nice if downtown had a stock of say 500 rooms of historic boutique space, ala Colcord. I would also settle if a few buildings could become chain managed like Skirvin.

I think this could be a HUGE additional boost for downtown in that 1) we rid ourselves of most-likely C class office space 2) we add much needed 'boutique' rooms and just hotel rooms downtown in general 3) we preserve what historic buildings we have left in downtown 4) with Devon building and then moving into their new skyscraper, any businesses in these historic property conversions could have the opportunity to absorb space elsewhere in downtown.

While excited about the 1600 rooms we have downtown now, I personally think downtown needs 3500 rooms at many different price points to be successful. These hotels would have restaurants and other amenities that add to downtown and would make OKC even more thriving and attractive for development.

Anybody have any ideas of buildings downtown that could be candidates for Colcord like conversion? :) Also, maybe any worth apartment conversions?

Let's try to be specific (Name/Address/Pic) as possible.

Doug Loudenback
12-19-2009, 07:05 PM
Well, two would be the usual suspects ... both owned by Sandridge. At least one other thread has discussed both of these buildings.

(1) Braniff Building at SE corner of Robinson & McGee, designed by Solomon A. Layton, built in 1923. ...

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1923.braniff2.jpg http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1923.braniff.jpg

(2) Originally the 1928 expansion of the Oklahoma Savings & Loan, NE corner of Kerr & Robinson, and slated by Sandridge for destruction in favor of creating an open space entry/plaza.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/oksavingsloan.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/downtown_misc/oklahomafederal.jpg

bluedogok
12-19-2009, 09:36 PM
It would be great if someone like Magnolia Hotels (http://www.magnoliahotels.com/brand.aspx) could get a hold of properties like that. I have stayed in their properties in Downtown Houston and Denver, they did a tremendous job in the conversions. Their namesake was the Magnolia Building in Downtown Dallas, that was always a great old building, I haven't seen it but if they did it anything like the Denver and Houston properties, I am sure it was outstanding.

ronronnie1
12-19-2009, 11:28 PM
I still can't believe that those buildings posted by Doug are slated for destruction. I mean, did we not learn ANYTHING from urban renewal? They should be converted to hotels. At the very least they should just be LEFT THE HELL ALONE! Good god.

And this one being torn down still makes me ILL just thinking about:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/ronRonnie_2006/biltmore.jpg http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/ronRonnie_2006/bilt2.jpg

usgwarchives.org & yentering.com respectively

Seriously, this crap needs to stop.

gen70
12-19-2009, 11:47 PM
I guess it's just ego but, I wish I could build a bldg. in downtown OKC that some people would like to save.

Spartan
12-20-2009, 12:16 AM
From what I've heard, the Bricktown Merc building is probably OKC's next best prospect, which Gary Cotton sold to a more able developer. The only problem with that is that in 2006 we were looking at a surge of new downtown hotels coming into Bricktown and now that's pretty much gone off the radar.

shane453
12-20-2009, 01:34 PM
I guess it's just ego but, I wish I could build a bldg. in downtown OKC that some people would like to save.

If only all the developers of the world thought like that.

In fact, it should be the 'Hippocratic Oath' of real estate and architecture. "I want to build something that people would like to save one day."

jbrown84
12-20-2009, 04:41 PM
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/oksavingsloan.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/downtown_misc/oklahomafederal.jpg

Are those really the same building?? Looks like they removed a lot of the detail and trim for those ugly grey panels. WHYYYYYYYYY??


Anyway, I don't think either of those are right for a hotel conversion. Not quite attractive enough and not the best location. Better for residential.

I think the best candidate is the Hightower Building. It's got that great Upper East Side look to it and I think it would make a great small hotel. It would be right across from Devon's park.

Doug Loudenback
12-20-2009, 05:25 PM
Are those really the same building?? Looks like they removed a lot of the detail and trim for those ugly grey panels. WHYYYYYYYYY??

Anyway, I don't think either of those are right for a hotel conversion. Not quite attractive enough and not the best location. Better for residential.

I think the best candidate is the Hightower Building. It's got that great Upper East Side look to it and I think it would make a great small hotel. It would be right across from Devon's park.
I don't know but maybe Steve does about the building's change but as a guess I'd say maybe it was when Kerr-McGee 1st acquired it.

You may be right about the location for hotels and best use being apartments. I hadn't thought of the Hightower ... yes, that would make a fine hotel.

HOT ROD
12-21-2009, 04:20 AM
didn't Hightower used to be a hotel once? Wasnt it the Hotel Black?

anyways, I agree - it would be a perfect candidate for a 'return' to being a boutique hotel; two boutique hotels within a stone's throw of Devon's corporate skyscraper. haha

try that out for recruiting. ...

redland
12-21-2009, 05:12 AM
didn't Hightower used to be a hotel once? Wasnt it the Hotel Black?



The Hotel Black, now an office building, was on the northwest corner of Hudson and Sheridan (Grand), just west of the new Devon tower. The Hightower Building, northwest corner of Hudson and Main, was never (to my knowledge) a hotel.

Kerry
12-21-2009, 07:53 AM
First National Bank building needs to go hotel/residential or both. It will never make it has an office building again. Here is the 909 Walnut building in downtown Kansas City. This is the only future for FNC (well, that or the eventual wrecking ball). 909 Walnut is now 159 apartments.

http://www.kc-lofts.com/bldgs/909walnut.jpg

If they tear down the FNC addition built in the 60's and put in a parking garage with a pool and tennis courts on the top deck they could make a go of it.

Midtowner
12-21-2009, 07:58 AM
didn't Hightower used to be a hotel once? Wasnt it the Hotel Black?

anyways, I agree - it would be a perfect candidate for a 'return' to being a boutique hotel; two boutique hotels within a stone's throw of Devon's corporate skyscraper. haha

try that out for recruiting. ...

It's always been an office building and it's always been in the same family. They're excellent landlords and the amenities in that building are fairly impressive. The last time I was there (a few months ago), they still had elevator operators. The insides of the offices, especially on the middle floors leave a lot to be desired as far as layout goes. There used to be a lot of vacancy. But the 1st floor and the top several floors (which used to be occupied by an oil company, no idea who is up there now) are extremely nice.

Doug Loudenback
12-21-2009, 08:06 AM
The Hotel Black, now an office building, was on the northwest corner of Hudson and Sheridan (Grand), just west of the new Devon tower. The Hightower Building, northwest corner of Hudson and Main, was never (to my knowledge) a hotel.
Completely correct, redland. Hightower began, and remains, a family owned office building in the west side of the city. 1 N. Hudson, though, was the Black Hotel until contemporary times.

For reference, here are a few images ...

The Black Hotel

As it was ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/hotels/black01_metlib.jpg

As it is ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/hotels/black02_dl.jpg

Hightower

Exterior

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/52.jpg

Interior Lobby

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1920.hightowerlobby.jpg

Platemaker
12-21-2009, 08:58 AM
I've always thought the Lawyer's Title Building... beautiful art deco building at 11th and Robinson... would make a cool boutique hotel. It has a great marble lobby too.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/lawtitle.jpg

Midtowner
12-21-2009, 09:02 AM
I've always thought the Lawyer's Title Building... beautiful art deco building at 11th and Robinson... would make a cool boutique hotel. It has a great marble lobby too.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/lawtitle.jpg

I always thought it looked like it was constructed with leftover pieces of the courthouse.

Spartan
12-21-2009, 01:01 PM
That building is currently under renovation..

jbrown84
12-21-2009, 05:56 PM
I've always thought the Lawyer's Title Building... beautiful art deco building at 11th and Robinson... would make a cool boutique hotel. It has a great marble lobby too.

I've always loved that building.

CCOKC
12-23-2009, 07:58 AM
I was in Lawyers Title last week and did not notice any renovations. It could be a good building but needs a lot of work at this point.

Platemaker
12-23-2009, 08:11 AM
There is a large room in the back with two story glass windows that has been perpetually 'under construction' for about three years. There is an 'Available' sign out front... along with the old Christian Science church across the street.

USG '60
12-26-2009, 06:26 AM
I always thought it looked like it was constructed with leftover pieces of the courthouse.

Isn't this the old Baptist Building? If so it DOES deserve a new life.

Doug Loudenback
12-26-2009, 08:06 AM
Isn't this the old Baptist Building? If so it DOES deserve a new life.
It is, but I don't know if that was the original use of the building. Good question.

USG '60
12-26-2009, 11:57 AM
It is, but I don't know if that was the original use of the building. Good question.

Since it was next door to First Baptist and since I know it was tha Bap Bldg in '53, I always assummed it was built as that.

Doug Loudenback
12-26-2009, 01:07 PM
Since it was next door to First Baptist and since I know it was tha Bap Bldg in '53, I always assummed it was built as that.
Just did a little quick checking in the Oklahoman archives & County Assessor records. Found nothing definitive yet but did find this:

1) County assessor records show the property was built in 1930: See Leonard Sullivan Oklahoma County Assessor Real Property Detail Sheet (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R040450400) ... the address shown is 1141 N. Robinson

2) Oklahoman archives show that, in 1923, 1141 N. Robinson was the home of Mrs. M.L. Turner, who was hostessing a Duplicates Whist Club meeting there; in 1927, a business called the Darwin Studios (home furnishings, etc.) began using that address; in 1934 Jack Jones funeral home began using the address; by 1940 the Knights Templar did, also; the Baptist Book Store moved to the property in 2/26/1950 (actually for the book store shown as 208 NW 11th).

I've found nothing describing the construction of the building we know today, though, if the assessor's record is accurate, that occurred in 1930.

I'll see if I can locate anything more definitive.

Doug Loudenback
12-26-2009, 11:32 PM
Here's a 1948 Oklahoman article I found which certainly makes it seem as though the Baptist Building was originally built as such beginning in 1948, the information in the County Assessor's record (1930 being building date) notwithstanding. I'd suppose the assessor's date to be incorrect.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/misc/baptistbuilding.jpg

Spartan
12-27-2009, 04:03 AM
There is a large room in the back with two story glass windows that has been perpetually 'under construction' for about three years. There is an 'Available' sign out front... along with the old Christian Science church across the street.

Correct. Last week the Downtown Design Review committee also approved some work to be done to the front entrance, making it ADA compatible, etc.

USG '60
12-28-2009, 09:21 AM
Here's a 1948 Oklahoman article I found which certainly makes it seem as though the Baptist Building was originally built as such beginning in 1948, the information in the County Assessor's record (1930 being building date) notwithstanding. I'd suppose the assessor's date to be incorrect.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/misc/baptistbuilding.jpg

So what we are needing is a picture of the original building.

Doug Loudenback
12-28-2009, 09:58 AM
Best I can do is this postcard from the OHS archives. The OHS note says, "Printed by Colourpictures, Boston, MA. August 4, 1950."

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/misc/baptistbuilding_1950_08.jpg

ronronnie1
12-28-2009, 02:20 PM
^^^Beautiful building. Love art deco.

Spartan
12-28-2009, 05:51 PM
I think this street could make some really, really cool lofts..esp this building and the old Christian Scientist Church sitting vacant, for sale, across the street.

betts
12-28-2009, 05:55 PM
^^^Beautiful building. Love art deco.

I was just thinking the same thing. Actually, before I moved to Oklahoma City I really disliked art deco, but it has definitely grown on me, thanks so some of the interesting buildings about the city.

Platemaker
12-29-2009, 10:32 AM
I'm surprised... a quality art deco building like that built as late as 1948!

jbrown84
12-30-2009, 01:03 PM
I'm surprised... a quality art deco building like that built as late as 1948!

I thought the same.

rondvu
01-19-2010, 01:46 PM
After looking at the thread and seeing the pics of he Hightower building and lobby, it reminded me of Jackie the elevator operator. She ran the elevator in the Hightower building for almost 30 years. She had two other sisters Violet and Bertha who also were elevator operators as well. I could be mistaken on part of my facts.