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Patrick
04-29-2006, 02:35 PM
...and a DoubleTree, an Omni, and our long awaited Embassy Suites.

How about building a couple of high rise hotels on the south Galleria surface garage? That would be right next to the Colcord, and very very close to the Convention Center.

An Omni and Hyatt would fit very well there.

Patrick
04-29-2006, 02:40 PM
I'll contact Flintco and Marcus and see if they can hook us up. In the meantime, metro, if you can help us arrange an OKCTalk tour of the Skirvin that would be helpful.

Midtowner
04-29-2006, 03:20 PM
I'll get my hardhat and construction boots ready :)

brianinok
04-29-2006, 03:31 PM
You're right. Downtown Oklahoma City is a great place for conventions. If we can get a couple more hotels built in the general vicinity of the convention center, it would be even better. Very, very few cities have convention centers, arena, hotels, and an entertainment district full of restaurants, clubs, and other entertainment all within walking distance. It is THE reason we are hosting the Big XII basketball tournament next year.

Everyone remember how the OKCCVB was complaining how the downtown hotels won't lower their rates to help land some large conventions? The reason is they don't have to. They are selling out even at higher prices. Just think how many more conventions we could lure with this downtown hotel portfolio:

Open:
Renaissance - 311 rooms
Sheraton - 395 rooms
Courtyard - 225 rooms
Total - 931 rooms

Under Construction:
Skirvin Hilton - 225 rooms
Colcord - 108 rooms
Residence Inn - 150 rooms
Hampton Inn - 200 rooms
Running total - 1,614 rooms

Semi-proposed:
Embassy Suites - ~250 rooms
Running total - ~1,864 rooms

If we could get a couple large hotels, like a 700 room Hyatt and a 500 room Omni, that would put us over 3,000 rooms downtown. As it stands now, assuming JQH builds an Embassy, we should be pushing 2,000 in the next 2-3 years.

John
04-29-2006, 03:56 PM
I would imagine the 5-star convention hotel in the I-40 rendering (south of the Ford Center) would be something like an Omni, Hyatt, or Adams Mark. (maybe Westin would come back?)

It would be probably a 500-700 room hotel.

Patrick
04-29-2006, 04:52 PM
As it stands now, assuming JQH builds an Embassy, we should be pushing 2,000 in the next 2-3 years.


That's not bad, considering before MAPS we had 395 rooms downtown.

John
04-29-2006, 08:41 PM
Just for S&G's, how many rooms did the Biltmore have?

brianinok
04-29-2006, 11:02 PM
I don't know how many rooms the Biltmore had, but that would be comparing apples to oranges. I am sure the Biltmore's rooms were much like the Skirvin's rooms-- small. The Skirvin had 525, but will have 225 now. So, whatever the Biltmore had, you would have to figure a renovated Biltmore would now have 40-45% what it had back then.

Patrick
05-04-2006, 11:39 AM
Wasn't sure if you read this today or not, but apparently the Skirvin isn't going to open now until Spring of 2009. Here's the reason why:

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Skirvin.JPG

Patrick
05-04-2006, 11:40 AM
Marcus Hotels decided they liked the Skirvin so well, they decided to expand it to 8 towers. They got the approval to cut through the Santa Fe Parking garage and cross EK Gaylord Ave. How nice! should be around 700 rooms once completed.

John
05-04-2006, 11:46 AM
Streched out like that, it almost looks like some NYC projects. ;)

Speaking of updating the Skirvin, I wonder how far gone the original exterior of the Skirvin Annex is. Did they just cover it, like with the bottom two floors of the Skirvin? I'd like to see that building brought to its former glory.

Patrick
05-04-2006, 11:49 AM
I'm guessing you're referring to the building to the north of the Skirvin? Attached the the Skirvin? If so, last I checked, it's getting a complete makeover along with the rest of the building. Not sure what's planned for the annex though.

Patrick
05-04-2006, 11:52 AM
Sorry guys, looks like the project isn't going to happen after all. OCURA determined the Santa Fe Parking Garage to be historically significant, and voted against its removal. Thery stated that the concrete architecture represented the modern era back in the 70's-80's, and there was nothing like it comparable any where else in the world.

John
05-04-2006, 11:59 AM
I'm guessing you're referring to the building to the north of the Skirvin? Attached the the Skirvin? If so, last I checked, it's getting a complete makeover along with the rest of the building. Not sure what's planned for the annex though.

No, just West of the Skirvin across Broadway. It was part of the Skirvin, just not connected, if I remember from reading about it. Here is a picture and link to the building on Doug's page.

...and it was called the Skirvin Tower, not Annex. My bad.

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1.skirvintower.htm

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1930s.skirvintower2.jpg

John
05-04-2006, 12:03 PM
Thery stated that the concrete architecture represented the modern era back in the 70's-80's, and there was nothing like it comparable any where else in the world.

One building that would have been great from that era to save and use as lofts would be the old Y building. Can you imagine? I'm surprised a bigger fuss wasn't raised when it was being torn down. Think how many housing units that could have added to downtown.

BUT NO! We needed another parking lot! :rolleyes:

Doug Loudenback
05-04-2006, 12:25 PM
One building that would have been great from that era to save and use as lofts would be the old Y building. Can you imagine? I'm surprised a bigger fuss wasn't raised when it was being torn down. Think how many housing units that could have added to downtown.

BUT NO! We needed another parking lot! :rolleyes:
Actually, there WAS a big fuss ... including litigation by interested citizens ... see http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1.ymca.htm

Patrick
05-04-2006, 12:26 PM
Oh, you're referring to Skirvin Tower, where WKY was located. I believe the building is still there. Doug, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the whitish building just south of Kerr Park there, that used to house Sonic? If so, definitely doesn't look like it used to. I suppose it got a complete makeover.

John
05-04-2006, 12:31 PM
Oh, you're referring to Skirvin Tower, where WKY was located. I believe the building is still there. Doug, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the whitish building just south of Kerr Park there, that used to house Sonic? If so, definitely doesn't look like it used to. I suppose it got a complete makeover.

Yeah its there, just with an ugly facade on it.

Patrick
05-04-2006, 12:34 PM
Yeah its there, just with an ugly facade on it.

Yeah, the facade matches what used to be on the lower portion of the Skirvin Hotel. I'd love to see the facade removed from the old Skirvin Tower just as it's being removed from the hotel.

It's amazing how covering a building up with a little facade, can change the appearance so much.

Take the Civic Center for instance. When they were renovating it recently, the removed the wood panels and discovered that they were covering up the original art deco architecture of the music hall. Too bad that couldn't have been preserved.

Doug Loudenback
05-04-2006, 12:36 PM
No, just West of the Skirvin across Broadway. It was part of the Skirvin, just not connected, if I remember from reading about it. Here is a picture and link to the building on Doug's page.

...and it was called the Skirvin Tower, not Annex. My bad.

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1.skirvintower.htm

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1930s.skirvintower2.jpg
How things change but remain the same! The Skirvin Tower was originally planned to be 26 stories instead of its eventual 14, but the effects of the Great Depression changed that (as did Oil Bust in the post-Oil Bust days). Here's an artist's postcard rendering of what was contemplated for the Skirvin Tower (now 101 Park Avenue Building):

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1930s.skirvintower3.jpg

Even so, the Skirvin Tower was a fine place ... Balliets was a tenant from 1936-1972. WKY Radio operated here from 1936-1951 (TV from 1949-1951), occupying 2 floors. The building was gutted in 1971 to become the 101 Park Avenue Building, a very nice building, as well.

John
05-04-2006, 12:47 PM
Yeah, I've seen that postcard before. It would have been an even more magnificent building. ...but probably would have gotten a 60's era facelift like many others.

One building whose 'facade' really annoys me is that of the old AT&T or Southwestern Bell building. I know the anennae on top are needed, but that building would stand out so much more if that junk was removed from the roof. It really takes away from the art deco beauty of the building.

While we're tearing down modern facades and bringing old buildings to their former glory, Kerr McGee should restore the old India Temple building.

Doug Loudenback
05-04-2006, 12:50 PM
As to the above:

Yes, 101 Park Avenue hosted Sonic for a short while. See http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/panorama2.htm and look for the red/gold neon sign (you won't be able to read it) on top of the building in the foreground of Chase Tower. It reads "Sonic". Before that, though, Sonic was located in the building immediately north of City Place ... the Petroleum Building (now Dowell Center).

As to "facades", 101 Park Avenue doesn't have anything left of the old Skirvin Tower except the concrete (I guess) tinker-toy structural framework (I don't know the right terms). The building was totally gutted, other than that structure, and a totally "new" building was built within the structure. Engineers and/or architects can help me with the terminolgy ... "skeleton" comes to mind.

Doug Loudenback
05-04-2006, 12:54 PM
Yeah, I've seen that postcard before. It would have been an even more magnificent building. ...but probably would have gotten a 60's era facelift like many others.

One building whose 'facade' really annoys me is that of the old AT&T or Southwestern Bell building. I know the anennae on top are needed, but that building would stand out so much more if that junk was removed from the roof. It really takes away from the art deco beauty of the building.

While we're tearing down modern facades and bringing old buildings to their former glory, Kerr McGee should restore the old India Temple building.
Supposedly, that's in the works. All 3 "old" buildings which are part of the K-M campus (Braniff building, SE corner of Robinson & McGee, OKC S & L building on NE corner of Robinson & Kerr, and India Temple on NW corner of Kerr & Broadway) are supposed to become condos ... there's a thread about that here somewhere ... but I guess it remains to be seen how much restoration is possible to the India Temple building ... we shall see.

John
05-04-2006, 01:02 PM
That's good to hear about the restoration. I know they are converting to condos and I'll definately be interested at seeing what the units in the Braniff building look like.

Patrick
05-22-2006, 04:10 PM
I know the out-of-towners on the site like pics, so here are some pics of the Skirvin that I took today.

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF00311.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0032.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0033.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0034.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0035.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0036.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0038.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0039.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0040.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0041.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0042.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0043.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0044.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0045.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0046.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0047.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0048.JPG

Patrick
05-22-2006, 04:27 PM
No, just West of the Skirvin across Broadway. It was part of the Skirvin, just not connected, if I remember from reading about it. Here is a picture and link to the building on Doug's page.

...and it was called the Skirvin Tower, not Annex. My bad.

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1.skirvintower.htm

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1930s.skirvintower2.jpg[/quo



Here's a picture of Skirvin Tower today. As Doug stated, today it's known as 101 Park Ave.

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0046.JPG

Doug Loudenback
05-23-2006, 03:54 AM
Nice!

Pete
05-23-2006, 08:21 AM
Thanks so much!

Wow,it looks like they still have a looooong way to go before their target opening date in December.

brianinok
05-23-2006, 06:27 PM
I believe their target opening date is March (for the Big XII Basketball Tournament). It is the Colcord that will be open in December.

writerranger
05-23-2006, 07:30 PM
Thanks, Patrick! It's so nice to see the Skirvin coming alive!

Patrick
05-23-2006, 08:12 PM
Yeah, target opening date is for the Big 12 tourny.

Pete
05-24-2006, 12:04 AM
They must have just recently changed their opening date, because about a month or two ago their website said 'December 2006'.

But it now says March 2007, which is obviously more realistic.


Just glad it's being done right!

John
05-24-2006, 01:21 AM
As long as its open a few weeks before the tourney rolls into town. We don't want sawdust on the floor greeting our visitors from out of town...

It used to say the opening was in the 4th Qtr 2006.

Patrick
05-24-2006, 08:10 AM
Wow,it looks like they still have a looooong way to go before their target opening date in December.

Yeah, they do have a long way to go. The inside of the hotel has been completely gutted, saving historic elements of course. The GM of the Skirvin Hilton told me that at the present time it looks like a bomb went off inside the hotel. Kim Searls noted that he weas not from OKC and that maybe he shouldn't be using those phrases. lol! I think she's right.

Spookytourchick
05-25-2006, 10:36 AM
Cant wait!!!!!!

okgladmom
06-24-2006, 07:44 PM
Wow, thanks for the pics of the Skirvin! I just stumbled upon this website today and have spent most of the day reading about my beloved OKC. I moved to Houston 3 years ago and my news usually comes from the tv websites, which means I don't learn alot. Anyway, thanks again...I worked in downtown in the 80's.

Luke
06-24-2006, 08:46 PM
Welcome aboard!

Pete
06-25-2006, 11:23 PM
Welcome okgladmom!

Like you, I worked in downtown OKC in the 80's and have many fond memories of the Skirvin.

Hope you'll continue to read and post!

Luke
08-22-2006, 06:35 AM
Excellent pics! Thanks for posting them!

Doug Loudenback
08-22-2006, 07:24 AM
Thanks! Here's a couple that I didn't use in my blog post:

More moulding:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/skirvin03_8_06.jpg

North side from top of Santa Fe parking ... wonder what the "?" at the left means? Ghosts behind that door? :tweeted:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/skirvin14_8_06.jpg

The Old Downtown Guy
08-22-2006, 07:53 AM
Thanks for the photos Doug. :tiphat:

What a pleasure it is to watch this downtown gem being returned to its original appearance. I pass by two or three times each week and the incremental transformation is much like watching a monumental painting in progress. The cast stone elements now being replaced are the fine details that further set an elegant building like this apart. What a grand sight. Oklahoma City is definitely getting this one right. Your tax dollars at work and doing a damn fine job.

Doug Loudenback
08-22-2006, 09:02 AM
Yeah, this one seems to be being done right!

Here's a pic I didn't use (too small) from Okc's website (http://www.okc.gov/query.html?projects/skirvin/index.html" target="_blank) and the text describing it:

http://www.okc.gov/projects/skirvin/050830/art_deco_pillar.jpg


Long-concealed art deco motifs were uncovered during interior cleanup. The tiles are in good enough condition to be restored.
It sure would be great to have a tour ... Patrick?

Pete
08-22-2006, 10:08 AM
Thanks Doug!

The new owners have a great reputation for careful and quality restoration of historic buildings. This summer, I was in the Pfister in Milwaukee (one of theirs) and it's gorgeous.

OKC is so very lucky to have *finally* found the right developers for this project. I know the end product is going to be absolutely stunning.

I can't wait for it to re-open!!!

traxx
08-22-2006, 12:42 PM
It makes you wonder what they were thinking when they covered up all that stonework in the first place.

keving
08-22-2006, 12:57 PM
It makes you wonder what they were thinking when they covered up all that stonework in the first place.
They were probably thinking they should keep their image fresh and not out of date. You either have to look fresh or have a look of some older era, such as the 1910's like the Skirvin.

Hotels update their image all the time. Sometimes it is small changes like different carpet, paint and wallpaper like they did at the Hyatt in Wichita. Sometimes it is bit more extreme.

Doug Loudenback
08-22-2006, 01:24 PM
It's also possible that when the facade was put in place that those who did that (not sure, but I'm guessing it may have been the Kilpatrick group that acquired the property in the early '80s) considered the cost of restoring all that molding and took the easier way out. Again, I'm just speculating and have no knowledge about this. But, it's pretty evident that the restoration is no easy, nor inexpensive, task to accomplish.

Pete
08-22-2006, 01:25 PM
As I recall, they added that new facade in the late 60's or early 70's and it was an attempt to make the place look more updated without going through the trouble or expense to do things right.

Also, I'm sure some of the stonework needed repairs and that was before the big restoration movement which resulted in lots of companies doing custom castings and installations.

I think it was just a quick, cheap fix. The hotel was allowed to really go downhill in lots of other ways as well. I remember going to functions there in the 70's and 80's and thinking the place was really starting to get shabby.

But I also remember how awesome the lobby was (despite being worn around the edges) and how their ballroom was really quite grand.

That's why I'm so excited about this project... There is nothing in OKC quite like it I'm very confident things will be done with the highest possible quality and attention to detail.

traxx
08-22-2006, 02:27 PM
As I recall, they added that new facade in the late 60's or early 70's and it was an attempt to make the place look more updated without going through the trouble or expense to do things right.

Also, I'm sure some of the stonework needed repairs and that was before the big restoration movement which resulted in lots of companies doing custom castings and installations.

I think it was just a quick, cheap fix. The hotel was allowed to really go downhill in lots of other ways as well. I remember going to functions there in the 70's and 80's and thinking the place was really starting to get shabby.

But I also remember how awesome the lobby was (despite being worn around the edges) and how their ballroom was really quite grand.

That's why I'm so excited about this project... There is nothing in OKC quite like it I'm very confident things will be done with the highest possible quality and attention to detail.

Yeah, you're probably right about it needing repair and just going for the cheap and quick fix. Because, if they saw what they did as an update or an improvement over the beautiful stonework, architecture and history they must've been blind.

I looked at their websit and it looks like it's going to be niiiiiice. Finally, somebody doing something right here. It'd be nice if we could get other developers around here to take the time and effort to do things right instead of just putting up disposable buildings (lower bricktown, I'm looking at you).

I also hope that when the time comes to develop the Oklahoma River area that it will be done right with care, but I'm so afraid that we'll get more lower b-town. That would be a HUGE opportunity blown.

Pete
08-22-2006, 04:01 PM
The Marcus Group will definitely do this right.

Here's a picture from the Pfister in Milwaukee:

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

metro
08-22-2006, 05:22 PM
Thanks for posting Doug. I've been meaning to upload more recent pics and haven't had time. As you can notice by driving by and/or your pics above, new windows are starting to go in.

Doug Loudenback
09-23-2006, 07:58 PM
Here are a few construction update pics I took this morning. Notice the lights through the windows in the 2nd pic.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/skirvin_9_23_06a.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/skirvin_9_23_06b.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/skirvin_9_23_06c.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/skirvin_9_23_06d.jpg

Pete
09-23-2006, 11:04 PM
As always, thanks Doug!

That place is really starting to look sharp. What a treasure it will once again be for OKC.

HOT ROD
09-24-2006, 03:25 PM
The Hilton Skirvin Hotel is official, as it is now listed on the Hilton website.

Hilton Hotels (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/search/newresults.jhtml;jsessionid=VFX03Z2H0YUJYCSGBIVM22 QKIYFC3UUC?statusMsg=status_success.jhtml&searchType=city&&_requestid=250049) in Oklahoma

Here is the direct Hotel link: Hilton Skirvin Hotel (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=VFX03Z2H0YUJYCSGBIVM22QKIYF C3UUC?ctyhocn=OKCSKHF)

Midtowner
09-24-2006, 03:38 PM
I got some good shots of what is being done inside the other day. You can see through the windows on the second floor that they are really paying attention to detail in there. I really like this development group -- this public money has been well spent!

brianinok
09-25-2006, 05:14 PM
The Hilton website says it is scheduled to open in January 2007. The skirvinhilton.com website says it will open in February 2007. I had head it was going to be March 2007. I wonder which one is accurate?

The Old Downtown Guy
09-25-2006, 07:40 PM
I would go with the skirvinhilton.com date. They should know pretty close at this point.

floater
09-25-2006, 08:25 PM
The Hilton website says it is scheduled to open in January 2007. The skirvinhilton.com website says it will open in February 2007. I had head it was going to be March 2007. I wonder which one is accurate?

Wow. It's just now sinking in that this dormant beauty will open in a few months. I've never seen it in operation. I think for a lot people, stepping into this hotel for the first time (ever or in years) will be a moving experience.

Pete
09-25-2006, 10:27 PM
If you've never been in the Skirvin when it was in full swing, it's truly something to behold and unlike anything else in OKC. In fact, the only thing I think is close is the Great Banking Hall at FNC.

When I worked downtown in the mid-80's, the place was pretty tattered but still a fantastic place to have a nice lunch or have a cocktail.

I can't believe the place has been closed 20 years!

BDP
09-26-2006, 08:45 AM
I can't believe the place has been closed 20 years!

What's funny if that for most of those 20 years I just kept hearing that it flat out couldn't be done. It also baffled me because in city after city I would visit, they would all have renovated hotels of similar age and design (done with and without assistance). I truly hope that when this is done we don't hear the "it can't be done" refrain by local developers anymore.

This, The Colcord, and some places in Bricktown will hopefully end the destroy to develop mentality in the area.

Pete
09-27-2006, 09:24 AM
Eager to open: Skirvin Hilton already booking events months before completion of $51.3M face-lift
by Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record
9/27/2006


http://journalrecord.com/APTImages/Skirven%20-%20jp.jpg

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Skirvin Hilton in downtown is buzzing with activity roughly four months before its scheduled opening date.

Workers can be found in every nook and cranny of the building, from the highest exterior point to the depths of the basement, all involved in polishing a long-neglected gem that has been a part of the skyline since 1911.

As crews work on everything from restoring moldings to getting the elevators up to code, John Williams, the hotel’s general manager, said he has no doubt that the hotel will be restored to its former glory by February, thanks to a $51.3 million face-lift.

“I feel really good about meeting the time frame,” he said.

Williams, who has been at the hotel since March, pointed out areas of the building where work was completed and gave a preview for some areas roughly discernable from what they promise to be in a few months.

The original wood in the lobby has been restored, and patched where needed, and will be stained slightly darker than the original yellowish-brown.

During the process of restoration, Williams said workers continued to find original tiles and molding that were either in disrepair or that had been covered up at one time.

At this point in the renovation, however, he said they think they have found everything that they are going to find.

“I think we’re running out of things to unearth,” he said.

A look at the exterior of the building shows cast stone restoration work on the south side of the building nearly complete and 900 new windows.

A trip to the basement reveals the hotel’s subterranean swimming pool and hot tub, which will share the space with a health club. In the past week, the basement received new sections of floor and plumbing fixtures.

“It’s amazing how awful this space was when I walked into it,” Williams said about the basement.

On the 14th floor, two ballrooms are taking shape, including the patching and repainting of original molding along the ceilings and some walls.

The Continental Room and the Venetian Room, which share the floor, are already in demand.

Vanessa Claspill, director of sales and marketing, said she been pre-selling space in the hotel’s various banquet rooms and ballrooms.

She said people usually have no hesitation about booking their events at the hotel, although the first question they often ask is “when are you opening?”

Advertising for the hotel does not begin until next month.

Claspill said despite ads, many people who have memories at the old Skirvin, are anxious to book their events there based only on a description of what they can expect from the finished product.

Williams also pointed out two other ballrooms that have just taken shape recently.

He said the Grand Ballroom and the Junior Ballroom, both on the second floor, had their ceilings installed in the last week and a half.

Williams said he is always amazed how the construction crew can turn the shell of a room into something that resembles a ballroom in such a short amount of time.

The Grand Ballroom will also have its own entrance with a marble staircase so that guests will not have to traipse through the hotel. There will also be a 150-space parking lot with valet service.

Hiring for the hotel’s staff will begin in November, and individual guest reservations are set to begin in December.

The hotel will feature 225 guest rooms, 20 of which will be suites, including a presidential suite on the 12th floor.

The hotel restoration project is the effort of the collaboration of Skirvin Partners LLC, Marcus Hotels and Resorts, and the Hilton.

Williams said that over the next few months renovations will continue, but no exact date has been set for the hotel’s opening.

He said as many of the hotel’s original features as possible have been restored to give it the sense of a modern hotel with an obvious nod to the past.

“It will definitely give you the feel it’s 1911,” he said.



Cornett celebrates anniversary of Skirvin’s 1911 opening with workers

OKLAHOMA CITY – At about 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Mayor Mick Cornett rolled a cart carrying a cake with a picture of the Skirvin Hilton made from icing to the front of the hotel. The event was to commemorate the hotel’s original opening Sept. 26, 1911, and to mark the reopening set for February 2007.

A group of about 40 workers from Flintco Construction took a break from restoration work on the hotel to eat cake with the mayor and celebrate the “Re-Birthday Party.”

Cornett thanked the workers for contributing a significant part of their lives to the $51.3 million restoration.

He said the hotel is symbolic of the city’s past.

“Without a building like this it’s easy to forget those who came before,” Cornett said. “On this very ground, our great-grandfathers worked to build this city into what it is today.”

Cornett cited the high demand for hotel rooms downtown, especially with events such as the men’s and women’s Big 12 basketball tournaments to be held here next March.

Cornett compared downtown’s current hotel situation to that of 10 years ago. In 1996 there was only one downtown hotel. Now, including the Skirvin and the soon-to-open Colcord Hotel, there will be about 1,500 to 2,000 rooms downtown.

The Skirvin has not been in operation since it closed in 1988.

– Kelley Chambers