Statler Hotel Reopens In Dallas 17 Years After Closing

DALLAS, TX — The Statler Hotel by Hilton has opened its doors to the public for the first time since 2001. Constructed in 1956, the 19-story hotel brought acclaim and a number of 'firsts' to Dallas. Upon opening, the hotel laid claim to the only heliport in the city, the largest convention space in the southwest, the "Grand Ballroom" and the popularization of elevator music, according to The Statler's website, Curio Collection by Hilton.

According to the website, in the hotel's recent three-year revitalization, it gained three restaurants and "high-performance features." The restaurants are described as "an all-day retro diner, a gastro Asian pub, and a social club boasting food and fun with billiards, ping pong, foosball, cornhole, and bowling." In addition, the hotel, located at 1914 Commerce Street, offers two bars, a rooftop pool, a "subterranean burbon library," a fitness center, bowling and more.

According to The Dallas Morning News, the 159-room hotel's makeover cost $230 million. Before the project began, some pushed to demolish the building, but in 2004, Preservation Dallas designated the hotel a "most endangered landmark in Dallas." (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Dallas Patch, or click here to find your local Texas Patch. Also, if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"Saving the Statler Hilton is significant for the preservation community because it shows cities that it is possible to preserve and re-purpose large, post-World War II complexes successfully," Preservation Dallas wrote on its website. "It was also important for Dallas because it preserved what is believed to be the downtown’s best block of mid-century modern architecture."

Preservation Dallas' executive director, David Preziosi told Patch the hotel will help encourage further growth in the historic area.

"I think it’s great that it’s reopening and coming back to life after being vacant for so long," he said. "It’s a huge project and catalyst for that part of downtown — really spurring that area. ...Once that old municipal building gets done, that whole area around Main Street Garden will be complete."

He said the remodeling project focused on maintaining the original exterior design of the building as well as some interior areas. To him, the revitalization of the hotel plays an important role in maintaining the history of Dallas.

"It’s obviously very important to us that our historic buildings are kept in tact as part of our history in Dallas and part of our timeline as the history has evolved,” he said.

A one-night stay for two adults runs between $280 and $320 for a standard room. Suite prices can reach $700.