Undoubtedly, Oklahoma City’s most iconic building, The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City has an equally iconic history. William Balser “Bill” Skirvin commissioned prolific Oklahoma City architect Solomon Andrew Layton to design the hotel, which opened to much fanfare in 1911. One of the largest hotels in the Midwest, the landmark’s Art Deco façade and English Gothic interior drew everyone from politicians to actors, titans of industry and bank robbers. For decades, the Skirvin was one of the most important buildings in the growing city, a center for political and business dealings. A frequent guest at many of the meetings and events held at the establishment was Skirvin’s daughter, Perle, who would go on to become Perle Mesta.
If the walls could talk, they’d probably do so with a wistful tone and a slight slur; underground tunnels kept the liquor flowing during Prohibition. Drinking, gambling and general revelry could be found every night. Presidents Truman and Eisenhower stayed at the hotel, and Nixon, Ford and Reagan all visited, as did luminaries from Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis to Elvis Presley. Jimmy Hoffa stayed at the Skirvin, and so did Sinatra, Bob Hope and countless others. Beyond the glitz, one of the most important events to affect the landmark was Clara Luper’s 1958 Civil Rights sit-in, which prompted the Skirvin to become the first integrated hotel in the state.
Despite the building’s star-studded past, glamorous guest book and place of pride, the tide was turning for Oklahoma City, and it would take the storied Skirvin down with it.
In the 1970s, as Oklahoma’s economy began to slouch toward a bust, the fortunes of the hotel also began to fall. The hotel finally closed in 1988; for almost two decades the once-proud property played host to pigeons and squatters, but it managed to avoid demolition. For 18 years, the hotel remained closed. In the late 1990s, Mayor Kirk Humphreys led an effort to have the city purchase the building, and Marcus Hotels began a $54 million renovation, preserving as much of the original architecture as possible. The Skirvin reopened as the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in 2007, just in time for Oklahoma’s Centennial celebrations.
The Skirvin once again assumed the mantle as the premier downtown destination for visitors to OKC. For many years, the Skirvin was the place to see and be seen, to gala, to wed. But as Oklahoma City’s star rose, the old hotel was starting to show her age. Skirvin’s standing as the town’s top stay has been challenged in recent years, first with the opening of the sleek Omni in 2021, then the opening of nearby National Hotel in 2022. It was time to meet the expectations of a new generation of locals, business travelers and tourists. To do it right would take a group as bold as W. B. Skirvin himself.
In 2022, news broke that the Skirvin Hotel would undergo a purchase and renovation backed by a partnership between the Chickasaw Nation and a group of local investors. The Chickasaw Nation holds 50 percent of the equity through Sovereign Properties, led by CEO Alan Marcum. The remaining 50 percent is held by a group of local investors led by Mark Beffort, Andy Burnett and Megan Gelmers of Robinson Park.
“This project wouldn’t be possible without the support and vision of our investors, such as The Chickasaw Nation,” said Mark Beffort, CEO of Robinson Park. “Revitalizing the Skirvin Hotel is a testament to our investors’ commitment to preserving Oklahoma City’s rich history while delivering modern, luxury experiences.”
Historic luxury
If you’ve been to Andrew Black’s Perle Mesta, you’ve already had a glimpse of Robinson Park’s uncanny ability to take a space from faded relic to modern luxury, elevating the historic charm with thoughtful, appropriate, elegant choices. The full renovation is akin to what you’ve seen at Perle Mesta writ large. Very large. Twenty-two million dollars, to be exact.
The renovations began in December and were completed in late August. The project included each of the 225 guest rooms and all common spaces, including over 18,000 square feet of flexible event space. From the lobby to the ballrooms, fitness center and pool, no corner was left untouched.
The most notable historic features are proudly on display: Bacchus heads stand sentry atop the columns in the lobby, symbols of the hotel’s history. The original 1911 elevator doors and oak front desk remain. The top floor is home to the 2,600-square-foot Venetian Room, where the 1930s ceiling and chandeliers have been beautifully restored; the décor has been fully updated to match the quiet opulence of the space.
Visitors and locals alike will enjoy the food and drink offerings, from Chef Andrew Black’s Perle Mesta to the Red Piano Lounge. The addition of a Boomtown Creamery has been a delight to tourists and downtown workers alike; it’s not uncommon to see people in suits enjoying an ice cream cone on the patio in the middle of a workday.
With Robinson Park representing the ownership group while also acting as project manager, thoughtful, high-quality decisions were made at every opportunity.
“The Skirvin is such a great structure,” said Megan Gelmers, director of development at Robinson Park. “This renovation was more about updating finishes, bringing it back to life and enhancing the guest experience.”
Local creative agency Cooper House was responsible for both the hotel’s repositioning and the branding of Perle Mesta. CORD Construction Services was brought in to build out Perle, which was the first project in the renovation to be fully completed. Leo A Daly architects worked to reimagine public spaces, and LINGO Construction served as general contractor on the guest rooms and public spaces. Local artist Denise Duong was commissioned for Skirvin-related artwork, a nod to bringing together the historic and the current.
“Guests at the hotel will enjoy improved aesthetics and functionality. The renovation will also help the hotel attract and retain talent, further enhancing the guest experience,” said Chase Rollins, general manager of the hotel, which remains under the Hilton label and management. “Morale is also at an all-time high among our staff. Everyone is pinching themselves to realize this is where they get to work every day.”
The new owners had a vision:
“It’s a place for our guests, of course, and for those attending an event here,” Gelmers said. “But we also really want it to be an engaging space for the local community. We want the lobby to feel like the living room for downtown Oklahoma City.”
From the lively bar at Red Piano Lounge to the cool new library in the lobby and a sumptuous booth at Perle, locals will find much to love in the reimagined Skirvin.
Over many different eras, One Park Avenue has been a gathering spot for the city’s glitterati, from events in the ballroom to drinks at the bar. From fundraising galas to weddings and reunions, locals have clocked countless hours in the grand spaces and quiet corners. Just as Perle and her crew ran the place in their day, today’s local luminaries, party people and downtown denizens will once again have the opportunity to escape from the mundane and slip into their own slice of the city’s history.
Visit skirvinhilton.com.
Drew Williamson, managing partner of Red Center Media, LLC, holding company of Oklahoma Gazette, is a limited partner and owner of The Skirvin Hilton OKC.
This article appears in Fall Guide 2025.