Part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, the 159-room Statler hotel in Dallas has unveiled its restoration from locally based firm Merriman Anderson/Architects. Build in 1956 as a 1,000-room hotel, the recently refreshed property celebrates its heritage with a midcentury aesthetic.
The façade’s glass curtainwall as well as brick and stone elements were updated along with molded porcelain enamel paneling. Molded Aztec-style cast stone blocks were also restored, while roofing was replaced and the exterior envelope was waterproofed. In addition, the hotel’s previous heliport was replaced with two outdoor pools and amenity spaces.
A new porte-cochère was constructed to replicate the original. Carpeting and tiles on the first and second floor public spaces were swapped to expose original black terrazzo, which also received a refresh in addition to stone wall cladding, glass, wood railings, and stone planters. New gypsum board ceilings have been installed to further reflect the original 1950s construction of the building. New finishes, light fixtures, and artwork are also incorporated into the renovation to complement the existing architecture. A new 40-foot-long mural is a highlight of the redesign, while an 8-foot-high sculpture that was unearthed during construction was restored and reinstalled by local preservationist Michael van Enter.
Two of the hotel’s original 200-square-foot shoebox-style New York hotel units were joined to form a larger, more luxurious accommodation, while guestrooms on floors eight through 18 have been reimagined as 219 new apartments that range from hotel room-size efficiency units to expansive penthouse residences.
