Spending a little "tax" money to save a precious part of our history is worth it in my opinion.

I find it interesting that all of the people that complained about using tax funds to build Bass Pro aren't complaining about the Skirvin deal. Afterall, the city is basically giving Marcus Resorts a loan to pay for renovations. I don't see what the difference is. I'm sure Midtowner probably has some intellectual reason why the Skirvin deal is different than the Bass Pro. I suppose the money the city is using for the Skirvin isn't from a city sales tax that was voted for by citizens. That would probably be his reasoning. But, other hotel chains (like John Q. Hammons) could still say that the city is giving Marcus an advantage since they're offering Marcus Hotels incentives to renovate the Skirvin.

Indeed! And Bass Pro is seen as an investment to spur future development, whereas saving the Skirvin doesn't have as much visible benefit besides adding to the downtown hotel room count, and being more attractive for conventions as a result. Admit it OKC, you are romantic when you have to be!!

The Skirvin will definatly add to the hotel count to help market Oklahoma City as a convention center destination.

Being in the middle of the United States puts Oklahoma City in the perfect location to draw major conventions. The development in Bricktown is an awesome draw for convention attendees and thought and action needs to continue for diversified shopping opportunites for guest of our city.

Spending a little "tax" money to save a precious part of our history is worth it in my opinion.

I find it interesting that all of the people that complained about using tax funds to build Bass Pro aren't complaining about the Skirvin deal. Afterall, the city is basically giving Marcus Resorts a loan to pay for renovations. I don't see what the difference is. I'm sure Midtowner probably has some intellectual reason why the Skirvin deal is different than the Bass Pro. I suppose the money the city is using for the Skirvin isn't from a city sales tax that was voted for by citizens. That would probably be his reasoning. But, other hotel chains (like John Q. Hammons) could still say that the city is giving Marcus an advantage since they're offering Marcus Hotels incentives to renovate the Skirvin.

I'm not sure the Skirvin is legal actually. Nor am I sure it is illegal. I am, however, certain that Bass Pro was financed unconstitutionally (see article 10, section 19). Here's one thing I do know, however. The Skirvin was at the same time a major piece of blight downtown, and at the same time, it has the potential to be a real feather in the city's hat. I'm not sure where they got the money, but in Bass Pro's case, the money came from a fund to improve police equipment, MAPS II funds, and MAPS I funds. All of which had been set aside for other purposes and seperately voted on by the public.

Okay, I don't want to rewrite the above paragraph, but here is a breakdown of the Skirvin financing:

# Economic Development Initiative (EDI) grant – $1 million. This HUD-funded grant was made available for the Skirvin's eventual renovation in 1995.
# Section 108 Loans – $4.8 million. Section 108 is another HUD program which allows cities to guarantee low-interest loans by pledging other federal funds against them.
# Loan of Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority Close-out funds – $1.5 million. This is 'left over' money accumulated from previous Urban Renewal projects.
# EPA/Brownfields Loan funds – $.5 million. The Brownfields program uses EPA funds to clean up an revitalize blighted urban areas.
# Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Bonds – $10.2 million. TIF bonds give the City a way to borrow against anticipated new tax revenues (in this case, both property tax and sales tax) to pay the costs of projects that will generate the new tax revenues.

http://www.okc.gov/query.html?projects/skirvin/index.html

The TIF Bonds would have been unconstitutional until the recent amendment legalizing them passed by a vote of the people. We're borrowing against anticipated revenue -- a risky scheme in my opinion, but here we are.

The two projects were funded in VERY different ways. While the fact that what we are doing essentially is corporate welfare, one project was funded unconstitutionally, the other waited until a vote of the people made it legal -- an important distiction in my eyes.

The Skirvin will definatly add to the hotel count to help market Oklahoma City as a convention center destination.

Being in the middle of the United States puts Oklahoma City in the perfect location to draw major conventions. The development in Bricktown is an awesome draw for convention attendees and thought and action needs to continue for diversified shopping opportunites for guest of our city.

The recommendation of the committee that examined possible uses for the Skirvin did not recommend that it be used as a convention destination, but primarily to add to the overall number of downtown OKC hotel rooms. I think the city's goal is to keep the Cox convention center as its primary convention destination. Why not? Its facilities are within walking distance and VERY nice.

I do hope that the Skirvin will restore its ballroom to its original splendor though.

I'm very excited by this project!

I remember what a beautiful building it is and it sounds like it will be better than ever. The day it reopens will be one for great celebration!




Historic hotel to be restored by Wisconsin company


By The Associated Press

The historic Skirvin Hotel, closed for more than 16 years, will undergo a $50 million renovation and reopen next year as a Hilton hotel serving the city's growing Bricktown entertainment district.

Mayor Mick Cornett gave Marcus Hotels and Resorts a 99-year lease on the property Thursday. The Milwaukee, Wis. company manages several restored historic hotels including the Hotel Phillips, in Kansas City, Mo. The city bought the hotel in 2002 for $2.8 million.

"We're proud to be a part of restoring this Oklahoma landmark to a state of grandeur," Bill Otto, president of Marcus Hotels and Resorts said.

The restoration project on the 13-story hotel is to be completed by December 2006.

The first floor includes Art Deco tile work, inlaid wood ceilings and mahogany paneling topped by carved gargoyles. Ornamental plaster ceilings and ballrooms will be restored on the top floor. The other floors will be gutted and modernized. In addition to regular hotel rooms, there will be two-bedroom, two-bath suites and one-bedroom suites.

Keith Hoffman, director of special projects for Marcus Hotels, said there will be a three-room presidential suite on the 12th floor that will include a flat-screen plasma television in the sitting area and a flat-screen TV installed in the mirror of the bathroom.

"Ten years ago, before Bricktown and a myriad of other things happening in Oklahoma, opening this hotel would have never happened," said John Weeman, president of Partners in Development, a business group that has supported reopening the Skirvin.

William Balser "Bill" Skirvin, a land developer and an oilman, built the hotel in 1910. It was designed by Solomon Layton, the architect for the state Capitol.

In 1906, Skirvin moved to Oklahoma City from Texas. The Skirvin household, which included three children, moved into a five-room suite on the ninth floor. Author Bob Blackburn, who wrote a history of the hotel, said the family also had dogs, raccoons, hawks and other animals. The pets were kept on the roof.

The hotel has stood empty since 1988 except for the occasional vagrant. Pigeons chose the top-floor ballroom as their home.

JoeVan Bullard, executive director the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, said the hotel went bankrupt in the early 1970s. It came out of bankruptcy, but could not survive downturns in the state economy in the 1980s.

"Even with all the new hotels downtown that have come on line and with all the activities going on, the hotel market is as hot downtown as in the I-40 and Meridian corridor," Bullard said. "The people involved in this project are not doing it just for the love of the Skirvin but are doing it from the business side."

Asbestos abatement and demolition of the interior started about 2 1/2 months ago and should be finished by the end of October, Weeman said. Then the remodeling will begin.

The Skirvin Hilton will have a lobby cafe, a fine dining room, an upscale bar that will feature musical entertainment, an indoor pool and fitness center and a grand ballroom with a dramatic staircase entry.

"I would love to spend New Year's Eve 2006 and ring in 2007 in the old coffee shop," Bullard said. "What a wonderful New Year's Day. I am looking forward to it."

That is wonderful news! It's such an exciting time for this city ..

This is perhaps the most exciting project for me since the canal. I will be so glad to see the Skirvin open again.

Marcus renovated and owns and operates a number of historic hotels, including the Pfister in Milwaukee, which is gorgeous. If the Skirvin ends up half as nice, I'll be very pleased:

http://www.pfisterhotel.com/ImageGallery/Items/HO_Lobby_Item.jpg

http://www.newsok.com/article/1642192/?template=home/main

By The Associated Press

The historic Skirvin Hotel, closed for more than 16 years, will undergo a $50 million renovation and reopen next year as a Hilton hotel serving the city's growing Bricktown entertainment district.
Mayor Mick Cornett gave Marcus Hotels and Resorts a 99-year lease on the property Thursday. The Milwaukee, Wis. company manages several restored historic hotels including the Hotel Phillips, in Kansas City, Mo. The city bought the hotel in 2002 for $2.8 million.

"We're proud to be a part of restoring this Oklahoma landmark to a state of grandeur," Bill Otto, president of Marcus Hotels and Resorts said.

The restoration project on the 13-story hotel is to be completed by December 2006.

The first floor includes Art Deco tile work, inlaid wood ceilings and mahogany paneling topped by carved gargoyles. Ornamental plaster ceilings and ballrooms will be restored on the top floor. The other floors will be gutted and modernized. In addition to regular hotel rooms, there will be two-bedroom, two-bath suites and one-bedroom suites.

Keith Hoffman, director of special projects for Marcus Hotels, said there will be a three-room presidential suite on the 12th floor that will include a flat-screen plasma television in the sitting area and a flat-screen TV installed in the mirror of the bathroom.

"Ten years ago, before Bricktown and a myriad of other things happening in Oklahoma, opening this hotel would have never happened," said John Weeman, president of Partners in Development, a business group that has supported reopening the Skirvin.

William Balser "Bill" Skirvin, a land developer and an oilman, built the hotel in 1910. It was designed by Solomon Layton, the architect for the state Capitol.

In 1906, Skirvin moved to Oklahoma City from Texas. The Skirvin household, which included three children, moved into a five-room suite on the ninth floor. Author Bob Blackburn, who wrote a history of the hotel, said the family also had dogs, raccoons, hawks and other animals. The pets were kept on the roof.

The hotel has stood empty since 1988 except for the occasional vagrant. Pigeons chose the top-floor ballroom as their home.

JoeVan Bullard, executive director the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, said the hotel went bankrupt in the early 1970s. It came out of bankruptcy, but could not survive downturns in the state economy in the 1980s.

"Even with all the new hotels downtown that have come on line and with all the activities going on, the hotel market is as hot downtown as in the I-40 and Meridian corridor," Bullard said. "The people involved in this project are not doing it just for the love of the Skirvin but are doing it from the business side."

Asbestos abatement and demolition of the interior started about 2 1/2 months ago and should be finished by the end of October, Weeman said. Then the remodeling will begin.

The Skirvin Hilton will have a lobby cafe, a fine dining room, an upscale bar that will feature musical entertainment, an indoor pool and fitness center and a grand ballroom with a dramatic staircase entry.

"I would love to spend New Year's Eve 2006 and ring in 2007 in the old coffee shop," Bullard said. "What a wonderful New Year's Day. I am looking forward to it."

Yipee,
Your right the Pfister is Pfabulous, worth a trip to Milwaukee at Christmas just to stay there. The will do a "Pfine" job with the Skirvin.

one of the few buildings dt that has arcitecture that wont put you to sleep. a beautiful building, a renaissance in the making.

Such a milestone for downtown, and symbol of its revitalization. The day it opens will be one of those for the history books -- for its connection of this golden age with a previous one, and victory of historic preservation. It will be the most glamorous rooms in OKC by reputation alone. Hope there'll be a classy sign to mark it.

Skirvin deal restores pulse to 'city's heart'


By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman

The deal between Oklahoma City and developers renovating the closed Skirvin hotel into a Hilton moved forward Thursday with a formal signing of a 99-year ground lease for the property -- one of about 70 documents that will cap three years of negotiations.

Closing sale contracts to Dallas-based Partners in Development and Marcus Hotels and Resorts -- along with grants, loans, and franchise agreements -- will continue to be signed over the next month.

But Thursday's ceremony was aimed at ending doubts that the Skirvin will reopen late next year, after 18 years of darkness in the historic landmark.

"This ceremony is our way of saying 'thanks' to those who have fought to preserve the Skirvin," said Bill Otto, president of Milwaukee-based Marcus Hotels and Resorts. "We're proud to be a part of restoring this Oklahoma landmark to a state of grandeur."

Otto promised the renamed 225-room Skirvin Hilton will be "where historic charm meets modern luxury."

More than 80 local officials and civic leaders attended the ceremony, which included a history of the property presented by Stanton L. Young, who himself was a bankruptcy trustee for the hotel in the early 1980s. As a member of the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, Young also took part in negotiations for the hotel's redevelopment.

"The Skirvin was the place to be," Young said. "The Skirvin became the business and social center of the community for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, chamber of commerce meetings, business clubs and cultural events. ... By all accounts, the Skirvin was the state's finest hotel."

The Skirvin, Young said, was "the city's heart."

"I believe our city's heart was then, and will be, the historic Skirvin hotel -- the Skirvin Hilton Hotel."

Mayor Mick Cornett told the crowd his high school prom was at the hotel. But despite the hotel's history, he said renovation wouldn't have been possible without a lot of work, the reinvestment in the inner city by voters as part of the city's MAPS projects, and downtown's current renaissance.

"This facility hosted so many great events in the 20th century," Cornett said. "Closed in 1988 and needing a miracle, it was a half generation later for the market to show this made sense, and the political will was in place."

Cornett recalled a conversation a couple of years ago with former Mayor Kirk Humphreys, where both concluded conditions couldn't get better for the Skirvin's redevelopment.

"It was now or never," Cornett said. "And Plan B didn't sound like a lot of fun."

John Weeman, a former Hilton executive and the development team's lead partner, promised the hotel will reopen by late 2006 -- in time for the state's 2007 centennial celebrations.

Weeman also praised city officials, who negotiated an $18 million gap financing agreement to help cover the $50.4 million renovation cost.

"We need to acknowledge the leadership of this city, including Mayor Mick Cornett, his predecessor, Kirk Humphreys, and the city council," Weeman said. "I've seen this council sit and collaborate where other city councils stop. It is virtually impossible to find someone who doesn't have a love affair with this hotel."

By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman

The pigeons are gone, as is the debris that for the past decade made a tour of the Skirvin's Venetian Room a hazard to a visitor's health.

The Skirvin Hotel was built in 1911 and was host to presidents and celebrities until it fell on hard times in the 1980s. The hotel closed in 1988. The Oklahoma City Council bought the Skirvin Hotel for $2.875 million three years ago from then-owners Michael Dillard and Roddy Bates after a year-long study of its prospects.

A development deal with Skirvin Partners was signed two years ago. An analysis by city financial staff forecasts the city will recoup all of the $18 million in public financing for the project under even the worst-case scenario, whereas previous forecasts showed the city might be out $4.4 million if the hotel performed poorly.

Public financing includes tax credits, federal grants and tax increment financing.

The development agreement requires Skirvin Partners to pay back the assistance through loan payments and a ground lease.
Construction workers with Flintco remained busy throughout Thursday's signing ceremony outside the old hotel, continuing to gut the building's 10-room floors. During a building tour afterward, project architect David Plank revealed plans for an executive VIP room in what once was a paint and maintenance shop on the top floor.

The room, on the floor's east end, includes a stunning view of Bricktown and Deep Deuce -- an area that probably will interest today's executives more than their predecessors a quarter century ago. Back then, Deep Deuce was dilapidated wasteland and Bricktown was a faded industrial district.

As interior demolition continues, Plank is discovering hints of the building's past.

In a rotunda-shaped room that will be converted into a room parlor, exposed walls show where one room once was split into three. "Back then, the hotel had more than 300 rooms," Plank said. "They were smaller -- very different from today's rooms."

A freight elevator was removed from the building, providing an easy way to dump debris from the upper floors to the basement. As of Thursday, most of the top three floors had been cleared of everything but hallway walls.

Plank said every effort is being taken to preserve the 14th floor, where water damaged much of the parquet wood floor. Tile uncovered in the first-floor lobby, believed to date to the hotel's initial 1911 construction, also will be preserved.

The renovation is more than cosmetic. For the first time since the hotel opened, it will feature all new wiring and plumbing.

Bill Otto, president of Marcus Hotels and Resorts, which will operate the Skirvin Hilton, promised it will be a blend of old and new. "The renovated Skirvin will be a place where historic preservation meets modern luxuries and amenities suitable of a four-diamond hotel." he said.

http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/skirvin1.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/skirvin2.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/skirvin3.jpg

City leaders foresee downtown boost from Skirvin
by Brian Brus
The Journal Record
10/14/2005



City leaders and hotel developers declared that the impending reopening of the 225-room Skirvin downtown will further boost Oklahoma City's ability to host major events and attract visitors.

The downtown area already has 930 hotel rooms within walking distance of convention sites, of which 700 can be committed at any one time, said Steve Collier, executive director of the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Can the current demand for hotel rooms sustain the supply?

"We continue to look for additional rooms to add to our inventory downtown," Collier said. "Hotel rooms are critical to being able to attract conventions, and the added rooms are going to propel us to a new level. We really need a strong inventory in order to pursue some of the larger conventions we're capable of supporting otherwise."

Mayor Mick Cornett said, "I think we can support the three we have opening in '06 and '07, and I think we'll be having more coming on line. What we've seen so far in the recent past is that the hotel market has not acted quickly enough. We've occasionally lost a convention because the room rates were so healthy that hoteliers were reluctant to lower their rates because there was so much demand."

In addition to the Skirvin, renovation work is already under way on the 108-room Colcord hotel less than a mile away. And developer John Q. Hammons has said he's still planning a 150-room Marriott Residence Inn in Bricktown as well as an Embassy Suites brand hotel nearby. Developer Marsh Pittman also plans to build up to 200 rooms for a Hampton Inn in the area.

Matt Cowden, director of sales and marketing at the Sheraton Oklahoma City just two blocks away from the Skirvin, said he's also considered the question, "Are we putting the cart before the horse?"

"They'll tell you a lot of times our city can't handle larger events because of our hotel density downtown, and I've seen it myself," Cowden said. "When I worked in the Houston market, we had close to 4,000 rooms in one area, which enabled the city to attract a lot of events. Downtown Oklahoma City just isn't there yet.

"So this is really a matter of, 'If you build it, they will come.' … Sure, there's going to be some ramp-up and initial shock to the market on supply and demand, but I think the dynamics in play are going to make us stronger in the long run," he said.

Even investors from outside the market have taken notice of the shifting dynamics of hotel properties downtown. For example, Linda Anglin with Shadow Lake Commercial Properties in Norman said an investor group currently looking to buy the Bricktown Central Plaza Hotel at Interstate 40 and Eastern Avenue has been asking questions about other hotels planned for the area. Shadow Lake is listing the hotel for MOS Investments at $3.2 million; additional renovations later this year may increase that price, she said.

"They're really interested in the property because it's so close to where the Indian Cultural Center is planned," she said. "But they want to be aware of how additional developments are going to affect that property - what else is going to be built nearby."

I'm ready to book my room!

I'm actually kind of surprised with how poor the interior of the Skirvin looks from the pictures Malibu posted. I guess some areas of the Skirvin look better than others.

Patrick, they have been gutting the place for several months now, and are stripping away a lot of the wood columns and ceilings that were added in the 70's.

As far as the guestroom floors, the video I saw showed they are completely gutted... They said not a single wall will remain from the previous configuration, which I suppose is necessary when you double the size of the rooms.

In a way I'm sad to see some of it go, especialyl the wood columns, but I guess you can't save everything. For the Skirvin to be a functional modern hotel, the rooms simply need to be enlarged, and a lot of updating is way over due. I suppose the interior still has a 70's look to it, since that's the last time it was renovated.

I wouldn't want to be the electrical company, plumbing company, HVAC company, etc. having to work on the Skirvin. Old buildings are such a pain to work on, and try to update to modern code. I suppose since they're gutting the inside, that will make the job a tad bit easier.

I wouldn't want to be the electrical company, plumbing company, HVAC company, etc. having to work on the Skirvin. Old buildings are such a pain to work on, and try to update to modern code. I suppose since they're gutting the inside, that will make the job a tad bit easier.


That's why they get paid good

In a way I'm sad to see some of it go, especialyl the wood columns,

I could be wrong, but aren't they just removing the wood from the columns to restore the original tile underneath? That would actually be pretty cool.

I could be wrong, but aren't they just removing the wood from the columns to restore the original tile underneath? That would actually be pretty cool.

In the lobby, there will still be wood columns with gargoyles perched atop, as have long been fixtures in the Skirvin's lobby.

I think the removal of wood is from paneling and such that was added in the more recent renovations (70's), much like the stucco exterior is being removed to restore the beautiful cast stone detailing.

I'm really glad they are restoring the original art deco.

You know what's even better about all this? Not only has OKC been able to get a major national hotel restoration firm to revive our landmark Skirvin, but we are getting another hotel restoration/conversion with The Colcord. Coury, the developer of the Colcord, decided to convert it to a hotel after being a runner up to convert the Skirvin. That is how far we have come in 10 years.

So within the next few years downtown OKC will have:

Skirvin Hotel - CBD (4 stars)
Colcord Hotel - CBD (4 stars)
Westin - CBD (3 stars)
Marriott - CBD (3 stars)
Embassy Suites - CBD/Arts District? (3 stars)
Best Western - CBD (2 stars)
Residence Inn - Bricktown (2 stars)

Seems like Bricktown could use another hotel, what is the status of the proposed "boutique" hotel by JDM place?

Don't forget the Hampton Inn proposed for just north of The Brick.


I haven't heard any more about the boutique hotel but I recall it was to be quite small.

What's this about a Best Western?

The hotels currently open/under construction:

Skirvin Hilton - 225 rooms - 4 stars
Renaissance - 311 rooms - 4 stars
Sheraton - 395 rooms - 3 stars
Courtyard Marriott - 225 rooms - 3 stars
Colcord - 108 rooms - 4 stars
Residence Inn - 150 rooms - 2/3 stars

Total: 1,414 rooms

Proposed hotels:

Embassy Suites - ~250 rooms - 3 stars
Hampton Inn - ~150 rooms? - 2/3 stars

Total: 1,700+ rooms.

All we need is one more major hotel chain (like Hyatt or Omni) to announce a 300-500 room hotel and we will reach the 2,000 mark!

So, the Colcord will be a 4-star? cool.

That means four 4-star hotels in OKC: Waterford, Renaissance, Skirvin and Colcord.

Movin' up up up

Oops, I meant Courtyard Marriott, not Best Western. And I was thinking the Sheraton was a Westin, wasn't it at one time?

The Hampton Inn, according to the press release, will be just east of the big parking garage on Sheridan. It will be 150-200 rooms, most likely closer to 200. I wonder how tall that would make it then? The one in downtown Dallas has 309 rooms and is 15 stories tall with a pretty large footprint, would that make the one in Bricktown 8-10 stories considering the site is pretty small by the parking garage?
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/DALDTHX/media/images/DALDTHX_Hampton_Inn_Dallas_West_End_Convention_Cen ter_home_left.jpg

The one in Dallas, hopefully the one in Bricktown is much nicer...

The AmeriSuites in the West End (Dallas) would be a good model for the Hampton in Bricktown. Nice use of brick and glass, and integrates well with the street and urban surroundings. I wish the Residence Inn looked more like this but there's still hope for the Hampton...

http://www.johnnyroadtrip.com/cities/dallas/images/amerisuites.jpg

If you want to see a great Hampton Inn go here: Columbus Downtown Hampton Inn and Suites (http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=0YCGZ2QFLI13GCSGBIV222QKIYF C5UUC?ctyhocn=CMHHSHX)
http://us.ext1.yimg.com/leo/imgs/T/T54153/T54153_EXT_01_J.jpg
If you go to the tour section there are more photos. Something like this would look absolutely gorgeous in Bricktown. The mixture of brick and glass would fit well and I love the cylindrical tower like extension of the corner. I have actually stayed here and it is top notch for the price. Service is 1st rate and there are free snacks and drinks 24/7. There are 179 Guest Rooms and 43/69 Suites/DBL-DBLs as you can see on the site. Although I'll have to say I am more excited about the Embassy Suites.

Check out the one in downtown memphis. It's the largest hampton inn.

yeah those brick hotels are nice, and it would be great to see somrthing like that in bricktown. but i just cant see something like that happening; that would mean they would try to make it mix in with bricktown and we know thats not what they are really going for.

Wouldn't the Hampton Inn be in actual "Bricktown?" So, that would mean it would have to adhear to strip brick standards. Right?

Wouldn't the Hampton Inn be in actual "Bricktown?" So, that would mean it would have to adhear to strip brick standards. Right?

We can only hope! ;)

The following is an article from the Oklahoma of about 3 months ago, but it does say the Embassay Suites will be in Bricktown and be 10 stories.

Some other information of note shown in bold:



Planned downtown hotels to meet variety of needs
Tricia Pemberton
07/16/2005

Several hotels planned for downtown will target different clienteles, adding hundreds of rooms over the next several years.

Developers will stir a mix of new and old structures to deliver expanded accommodations in the heart of the city.

Construction started this week on transforming the historic Colcord building at 15 N Robinson into a 108-room boutique hotel. Stephen Browne Sr., president of All-American Bottling Co., is the building’s owner and an investor in the $9 million project.

We plan to have luxury suites that will rent for about $150 a night. We’ll also have a really nice club lounge that will have a very sophisticated, upscale feel to it,” Browne said.

Tulsa-based developer Paul Coury of Coury Properties Inc. said he chose the project because of Oklahoma City’s dynamic downtown.

Coury plans to target the high-end business traveler and the social market, he said.

Manhattan Construction Co. from Tulsa is doing the remodeling, with Oklahoma City architect Don Beck in charge of design. Steve Raupe, president of Eureka Water Co., is also an investor.

The hotel will include an independently operated restaurant and lounge run by Alain and Michel Buthion of Oklahoma City’s La Baguette Bistro.

Meanwhile, demolition and reconstruction at the 225-room Hilton Skirvin, 1 Park Ave., is hoped to begin Aug. 1, said John Weeman, president of Partners in Development, an Irving, Texas-based company that is a member of Skirvin Partners LLC

Leslie Batchelor, associate general counsel for Oklahoma City’s Urban Renewal Authority, said some construction may start before the city closes on the real estate and financing deal later in August.

Batchelor said the city is reworking part of the financing to take advantage of new tax credits. Environmental abatement work is under way.

The city is investing $18.4 million in the project that it hopes to recoup from the ground lease arrangement with Skirvin Partners.

The first work to be done on the $46.4 million project is the removal of the old stucco facade on the first floor, taking it back to the original stone and brick, Batchelor said.

Weeman said a model of a finished suite should be on display by October in the Santa Fe Parking Garage. Skirvin Partners is negotiating lease of the space and additional office space with the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority.

The Skirvin will be managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts under the Hilton flag. Duncan & Miller Design and Kahler Slater architects also are involved in the project.

Not yet through the development phase but promised are two additional hotels by Missouri-based developer John Q. Hammons.

We will soon be putting under construction a six-story 150-room Residence Inn and a 10-story Embassy Suites in Bricktown,” Hammons said.

With both projects needing final approval from Oklahoma City’s Urban Renewal Authority it would be premature to comment further, Hammons said.

Randy Hogan with Stonegate Hogan said he sold property to Hammons in 2004 on a site south of Reno between Bass Pro Shops and Sonic’s headquarters building.

It’s there that Hammons would construct a Residence Inn, which Hogan said he expects to see open by fall 2006.

JoeVan Bullard, director of Oklahoma City’s Urban Renewal Authority, said an amendment to delay commencement of construction and approval of conceptual drawings for the Residence Inn is on the authority’s July 20 agenda. The delay would allow the city to move a sewer line that’s under the footprint of the proposed hotel.

Marsh Pittman said he is 90 percent sure he will be building a Hampton Inn with 150 to 200 rooms on a site just east of his parking garage at 222 E Sheridan in Bricktown.

Obviously, we feel like Bricktown is the best place in the state of Oklahoma to build a hotel, and the Hampton Inn is a very good product at a reasonable price,” Pittman said.

A bed and breakfast is envisioned by Chris Johnson, owner of USA Screen Printing and Embroidery. Johnson purchased a 28,000-squarefoot piece of canal-side property just west of the SBC Bricktown Ballpark from area developer Jim Brewer.

We want to do something smaller and not compete with the big guys,” Johnson said.

I cant wait! I have been preaching about history of that building for years. I have never been in it when it was operational. I cant wait to stay there!

I found this rendering of a guest room on the site of the hotel's interior designers:

http://www.duncanmillerdesign.com/images/projects/hist/skirvin01.jpg

Ah, classic.

Speaking of the Hampton Inn, the new Skyline Snapshot says it will be 8-10 stories and all brick.

Speaking of the Hampton Inn, the new Skyline Snapshot says it will be 8-10 stories and all brick.

Sweet! Let's keep that Bricktown theme alive!

The Hampton Inn Bricktown will be 10 Storeys and made of Brick!!! 200 rooms!!

Go OKC!!!

What a fun thread, and what a fun time we are living in!

Many of us who been around here for a sufficient duration (Oklahomans, and whether Okc residents or not ... the same is true for the Mayo in Tulsa) will remember something special in their lives which occurred at the Skirvin. It has SUCH a history, beginning in 1911. See http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1.skirvin.htm and Bob Blackburn's excellent article linked there.

With the gutting of much of the old OKC that occurred in the late 1960s - 1977, not that much remains of OKC's past downtown ... the Skirvin (1911), and the Colcord (1910), are 2 of the few that managed to survive the Pei Plan gutting which irrevocably changed the character of downtown Okc. Probably, the help of quite a lot of angels were involved ... and it is so fine to see both of those historical links being re-invented to be links between the past and the present ... perhaps with the same angelic troops ... Such things are a testament to making downtown Okc "whole" again ... kind of like a restored bridge which brings together our past and present and which helps to broaden our view of Okc to include our frontier and fascinating past as well as its more contemporary view of its burgeoning future! That's what I'd like to think is true.

Live on, Old & New! Pearl Mesta, daughter of Bill Skirvin, here's a tip of the hat of to you! Your former home is in my neighborhood! We hope that you are pleased with what is going on (since by all reports you influenced your papa so much when the original Skirvin was being constructed).

This all is so fine!

Doug, good to see you! Sharing all this OKC excitement wouldn't be the same without you. It is a wonderful time for our city.

Just as you said, I have many great memories from the Skirvin:

- My high school prom my junior year

- A Christmas fraternity formal my senior year at OU

- Many lunches as a young businessman in my very first job out of college (a friend played the piano there)


Even though the old place was probably at it's worst during this time (late 70's and early 80's) I always thought it was awesome, especially since it was one of the few places in OKC that had any sort of history about it.

I can't wait until it re-opens and I think those that are too young to have had any memories there will be in for a real treat.

Doug, good to see you! Sharing all this OKC excitement wouldn't be the same without you. It is a wonderful time for our city.
Karrie, you blonde bombshell that you are, my home computer, on which I do most of my webstuff, has revolted against me for reasons I do not know ... I LOVE my computer and so why would it treat me so badly? I've been trying to fix (eradicate) the revolt! It's been a nightmare. But, slowly, I'm gaining the upper hand! <grin> What a pain. But, I'm step-by-step restoring prior connections, etc.

Doug,

It's good to hear that your time away was caused by computer troubles and nothing more serious, although I know computer problems can be devastating.

Just do what I do, in the following order:

Fling the offender through the nearest window, swear at it and curse it all the way down, watch it hit the cement, experience a brief moment of satisfaction as it disinigrates - then quickly become horrified, repent!, beg for forgiveness and call the 'Computer Nerds' to bring it back to life ..... ( or Dell, depending upon the distance thrown and/or survival rate)

Whatever did we do before computers??

P.S. Thanks for the compliments, you sweet, sweet man!

I'm extemely excited for my city. For some reason I remember the Skirvin closing when I was a kid. I lived just east of downtown and am really excited to see the area come to life.

From today's Oklahoman:

http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/skirvin4.jpg

Nice. I'm so glad they're removing that stucco.

Here are a few pics I took on 1/2/06 as I was taking some new pics for my in-progress revised downtown map & pics ... it appears that close attention is being given to restoring, preserving where possible, the grand hotel's former detail.

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/skirvin.1.06a.jpg
http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/skirvin.1.06b.jpg
http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/skirvin.1.06c.jpg
http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/skirvin1.06d.jpg
http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/skirvin1.06e.jpg

Thanks for those, Doug!

I had read previously that they would be removing the old stucco from the building, and now I can cleary see what they are talking about.

The work they are doing to the right of the entry shows the awesome detail work that is being slowly uncovered.


I couldn't be more excited about this project, especially since they are taking the time and expense to do it right!

As well all know, that doesn't happen nearly frequently enough with most development around town.

Looks like Marcus Hotels and Resorts has the new Skirvin Hilton website up and running. Nice to see. Also nice to see the Hilton logo for the new Skirvin Hilton.

http://skirvinhilton.com/_images/_design/_img_exterior.gif

www.skirvinhilton.com (http://www.skirvinhilton.com)

In case anyone was wondering what's going on behind the Skirvin:

The new Courtyard:

http://skirvinhilton.com/_images/_design/_img_courtyard.gif

I'm ready to book a room, but looks like the site isn't set up for that yet.

If you don't mind taking that external elevator up to your room, and the presence of workers, then you should have no problems Patrick. Fasten your hard hats, lace up those construction boots, and check in!

Very cool.

I am so very excited about this project, especially since we know it is being done right.

And the lounge and restaurant will give locals plenty of reason to spend time there.

The Skirvin is an important building block IMHO in turning south Downtown and Bricktown into a convention Mecca.

In all of the cities where I've attended conventions, I cannot think of anything that even approaches OKC (I'm not counting Vegas) in terms of convention appeal. What you want in a convention town is to have your hotels and convention centers within walking distance of eachother -- but what turns "good" into "great" is to have an above-par entertainment district within walking distance as well. OKC is really putting that together!

-- I still want a Hyatt Regency.

I still want a Hyatt Regency.

...and a DoubleTree, an Omni, and our long awaited Embassy Suites.