Tax Credit Program Highlight: Statler Hilton

History

Opened in 1956, the Statler Hilton is an excellent example of mid-century modern architecture. At the time of its opening, the hotel was acclaimed for its many innovative architectural features, such as its slab cantilever construction and use of a curtain wall façade system to bring natural light into the hotel and regulate heating and cooling. The Statler also featured many innovative guest-related features: the building was the first hotel to introduce music in elevators. The hotel was originally owned by famous hotelier Conrad Hilton and designed by Architect William B. Tabler, notable for designing over 400 hotels and dotting America’s landscape with many of the stark and clean-faced downtown hotels of today.

Rehabilitation Project

After nearly being torn down for a parking lot, the building was purchased in 2011 with plans for a full redevelopment. Some public spaces remained intact, with some original features, like a long mural, forgotten behind non-historic finishes. The main lobby looks much like it originally did with marble walls, terrazzo floors, and a curving stair with glass railing. Other public spaces, like the ballroom and meeting rooms, had been more significantly altered. Upper floors required extensive demolition of walls for asbestos remediation, although new hallways were rebuilt in the same location. Upper floors are now divided between hotel rooms and apartments. Several restaurants are located throughout the ground floor and pool decks have been added to two roof spaces.