Skirvin Hilton Hotel
| Company type | Hotel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | September 26, 1911 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |
| Founder | William Balser "Bill" Skirvin |
| Headquarters | Oklahoma City , United States |
Area served | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |
Key people | John Weeman (renovation leader), Ortus Hotel Investments, LLC and Sovereign Properties Holdco, LLC (owners as of 2022) |
| Products | Lodging, meeting facilities |
| Parent | Marcus Hotels & Resorts (operator under Hilton brand) |
| Website | www |
The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City stands as a historic 13-story hotel located in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. Recognized as the city's oldest lodging establishment, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Currently operated by Marcus Hotels & Resorts under the Hilton brand, the hotel is also affiliated with Historic Hotels of America, the official program endorsed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
History
Originally opening its doors on September 26, 1911, The Skirvin Hotel featured 224 rooms within a ten-story structure composed of two wings. In 1925, a third wing rose to twelve stories, and by 1930, all three wings extended to thirteen floors, expanding the total room count to 525. The hotel was established by William Balser "Bill" Skirvin, whose daughter Perle Mesta later served as Luxembourg’s ambassador.
In 1945, ownership transferred to local hotelier Dan James, who implemented upgrades such as air conditioning, a swimming pool, and updated interior furnishings. Due to declining occupancy rates, the hotel ceased operations in 1988 and remained vacant for nearly two decades.
In 1999, then-Mayor Kirk Humphreys formed a committee to investigate preservation options for the property. By 2002, the city purchased the building for $2.875 million and sought development proposals. Partners in Development, led by John Weeman, presented a $42.1 million plan to renovate and reopen the property as a Hilton-branded hotel managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts. This proposal was selected by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority in 2004. Weeman acquired the hotel in 2005 and completed restoration efforts totaling approximately $51 million, financed through a combination of private capital and public incentives such as tax increment financing, historic tax credits, and New Markets tax credits.
The Skirvin Hilton reopened in 2007 featuring restored exterior details, windows recreated to historical accuracy, reconfigured guest rooms reducing the total number to 225, and expanded meeting facilities encompassing 22,000 square feet.
In 2022, ownership transitioned to a partnership between Ortus Hotel Investments, LLC—comprised of local investors—and Sovereign Properties Holdco, LLC, affiliated with the Chickasaw Nation.
A renovation project valued at $22 million was finalized in 2025.
Haunting
The hotel has gained notoriety for alleged paranormal activity reported by several National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. In 2010, the New York Knicks attributed their defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder to supposed hauntings within the hotel. Similarly, the Chicago Bulls experienced unexplained phenomena such as doors slamming and unusual sounds near their accommodations. This narrative reemerged during the June 2012 NBA Finals, when the Miami Heat lodged at the property. The 2012–13 Baylor Lady Bears basketball team, reigning champions of NCAA Division I women's basketball, also stayed there prior to their unexpected 82–81 loss against Louisville in the regional semifinals of 2013. In January 2019, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving announced intentions to produce a feature film centered around the hotel's purported supernatural occurrences.
Room 1015 is widely regarded as the epicenter of these hauntings. Legend holds that original owner W. B. Skirvin had an affair with a maid named "Effie," who became pregnant and was confined to that room to conceal the scandal; she allegedly died by suicide there. Staff members have reported objects moving independently and mysterious noises during nighttime hours. Nevertheless, journalists Steve Lackmeyer and Jason Kersey from The Oklahoman found no factual support for the "Effie" tale. They noted that Skirvin was known for his womanizing and drinking habits and that the tenth floor was associated with gambling and other vices. The only verified relationship involved his assistant Mabel Luty, who outlived him.
See also
External links
- 1911 establishments in Oklahoma
- Buildings and structures in Oklahoma City
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts hotels
- Hotel buildings completed in 1911
- Hotels established in 1911
- Hotel buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Oklahoma
- Hotels in Oklahoma City
- National Register of Historic Places in Oklahoma City
- Neoclassical architecture in Oklahoma
- Historic Hotels of America