Success Story: HISTORIC RENOVATIONS

Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City, OK

The Skirvin Hilton project set a precedent for how cities can revive landmark hotels

An iconic building in Oklahoma City since 1911, the historic Skirvin Hotel is synonymous with elegance and innovation, hosting oil barons, dignitaries, political leaders and U.S. Presidents. The hotel enjoyed a prominent position in the city from 1911 through the 1930s, but deteriorated throughout several ownership changes until it was abandoned in 1988.

A public/private partnership led by Marcus Hotels & Resorts and Skirvin Partners in Development sought to resuscitate the 225 room property, via an 18 month, $50 million historic restoration and renovation. The project garnered $22 million in public assistance to bring the hotel up to the four star standards of today and the project was successfully completed in 2007.

• Collaborated with city leaders to create a development and reinvestment plan plus supporting financial structure. We secured loans, negotiated deal terms, obtained State and Federal historic tax credits and new market tax credits, plus marketing and selling a portion of the tax credits


• Developed space plans and interior design concepts


• Managed all construction and restoration activities


• Retained the unique historic elements throughout the property including moldings, tiles and ceiling treatments. The lobby, reconfigured guest rooms and signature restaurant maintained their historic elegance, but with improved function and design


• Introduced successful restaurant concepts including Park Avenue Grill and the Red Piano Bar


• Thoroughly evaluated brand options, ultimately selecting a brand that would pay back dividends and be an asset to the city


• Restored the Skirvin to its former glory as the social epicenter of Oklahoma City

• A January 2011 city report revealed that four years after opening, the Skirvin Hilton is performing far better than expected with payments back to Oklahoma City exceeding best-case predictions.


• #1 RevPAR position in the market since its reopening in 2007 with a RevPAR Index of over 140%


• Consistently ranked in the top 10% of all Hilton properties in the U.S.


• One of only 25 hotels receiving the Hilton Voice of the Customer Award in 2010


• 386 jobs created

• Named 2012 Best Hotel in Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma by U.S. News & World Report. Only four Hilton Hotels were included on the list.


• Received No. 1 ranking in cleanliness for guest rooms and bathrooms by Hilton Hotels in 2012


• Earned AAA Four Diamond rating since opening in 2007


• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places


• Received the Pinnacle Awards by Successful Meetings magazine 2011 & 2012


• Convention South magazine “2011 Annual Readers Choice Award” for exhibiting excellence, creativity and professionalism in the meetings & convention industry


• Oklahoma Magazine “Best of the Best” 2011 for Best Hotel and Best Wedding or Party Venue


• Meetings Focus –South for “Best of the South in Excellence 2011”


• Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association Star of Industry – Community Service Award in 2010


• Mayors’ Development Award for best downtown development in 2008


• Top 5% of Hilton Worldwide in Voice of the Customer in 2009


• Ranked #1 in MQI


• Trip Advisor – “Top Business Hotel


• "We are very pleased with the way the hotel has performed," said Brent Bryant, the city's economic development program manager. "We always looked at this project from three different scenarios – a low success, medium success and high success. They were based on occupancy at 68 percent, 70 percent and 72 percent. So that's where you see a significant amount of this success; they've far exceeded what we felt was an aggressive occupancy rate." – The Oklahoman, January 4, 2011