The National, Autograph Collection has opened inside the historic First National Center in Oklahoma City. Built in 1931, the 32-story landmark returns from a thorough renovation led by NE Development & Partners, ADG, Flick Mars, and EverGreene Architectural Arts. The new 146-room hotel radiates with an enduring opulence that merges Art Deco and Neoclassical styles. “This building has a pride in its design—a feistiness that is to be respected. We hoped to achieve interiors that would continue that exterior attitude and make a complete, whole statement,” says Flick Mars partner James Flick.
At the heart of the 1.1 million-square-foot property, a living room is housed within the palatial former banking hall, punctuating the arrival experience with motifs like cast aluminum panels, grilles, and balustrades that compose a striking sense of grandeur. Century-old marble floors span the interior, where original bank vault doors were retained along with large marble columns. The landscapes of the region are also celebrated in corn stalk motifs as well as four large murals depicting the Louisiana Transfer, Sunset Trail, and the Oklahoma Land Run by Edgar Spier Cameron that adorn the walls of the main hall.
Among the onsite F&B options, the Great Hall channels the majestic allure of all-day European bars, while the Italian concept Tellers also offers a convivial social hub within the grandiose space. The Stock & Bond steakhouse and the Library of Distilled Spirits are both slated to open by this summer as well. In addition to salon, fitness, and retail facilities, amenities peak on the rooftop, where a heated infinity pool lined with cabanas awaits.
Beyond 193 onsite residences, eight floors of guestrooms and suites are distinguished by corridors that channel the elegance of the public spaces with textural materials and an eye-catching interplay of cool and warm tones. Accommodations also feature raw elements that nod to the early history of the site while maintaining boutique charms. Of the 17 suites, the 900-square-foot presidential suite serves as the centerpiece—boasting a palette of dark royal blue, high ceilings, and a large dining table.
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