The Statler Hotel & Residences
| Company type | Hotel and residential complex |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Real estate |
| Predecessor | The Statler Hilton, Dallas Grand Hotel |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Founder | William B. Tabler (architect) |
| Defunct | 2001 (as Dallas Grand Hotel) |
| Fate | Restored and reopened in 2017 |
| Successor | The Statler Hotel & Residences |
| Headquarters | Dallas , United States |
Area served | Dallas, Texas |
Key people | Mehrdad Moayedi (developer) |
| Products | Hotel rooms, residential apartments, conference spaces, restaurants, retail and office spaces |
| Owner | Hilton Hotels (under Curio Collection brand) |
| Parent | Hilton Worldwide |
| Website | www |
The Statler Hotel & Residences stands as a mid-century modern establishment situated at 1914 Commerce Street in the heart of downtown Dallas, Texas. Positioned on the fringe of the Farmers Market District and next to Main Street Garden Park, it initially opened its doors in 1956 under the name The Statler Hilton, a project by architect William B. Tabler. Recognized as the pioneering modern American hotel, it was later rebranded as the Dallas Grand Hotel before closing in 2001. Following extensive restoration, it resumed operations in 2017 and is now included in the Historic Hotels of America network.
Initial period
Originally developed for the Statler Hotels chain but completed after its acquisition by Hilton Hotels, The Statler Hilton debuted in 1956 with an investment of $16 million. It marked Dallas's first significant hotel construction in nearly three decades, celebrated with a four-day event attended by prominent guests nationwide.
Architect William B. Tabler applied groundbreaking construction methods, such as a cantilevered reinforced flat-slab system that reduced the need for columns, resulting in an impressive vertical profile. He also introduced a sleek curtain wall design featuring glass and porcelain-coated metal panels, contributing notably to Dallas’s Modern architectural heritage.
The building’s Y-shaped layout initially housed 1,001 rooms across 20 stories and included a ballroom with a capacity for 2,200 attendees; subsequent renovations decreased the room count to 710. Promoted as “the last word in hostelries,” The Statler Hilton was a trailblazer by offering innovations like elevator music and custom 21-inch Westinghouse televisions in every guest room. Its ballroom and meeting facilities were uniquely placed on lower levels, complemented by a rooftop heliport that provided shuttle service from nearby airports.
An elevated outdoor terrace showcased "A Wishing Star," a large rotating sculpture crafted by José de Rivera, adding to its contemporary aesthetic.
At its peak as the Southwest’s largest hotel, The Statler significantly contributed to positioning Dallas as a regional commercial center by drawing substantial convention business. Together with the adjacent Dallas Public Library designed by George Dahl, it stands as one of the city’s foremost examples of 1950s architecture.
In 1988, Hilton sold the property—then operating as the Dallas Hilton—to investors from Hong Kong who renamed it Dallas Grand Hotel. The hotel ultimately ceased operations in 2001.
Period of decline
While many original interior features have been removed through renovations, some staircases remain configured as initially designed. The exterior has mostly retained its original appearance.
Restoration attempts have faced challenges due to structural deterioration caused by water infiltration, vandalism, and asbestos contamination. The innovative flat-slab structural system from the 1950s limits ceiling heights to nine feet, complicating modernization efforts. Multiple floors and guest rooms have remained untouched since the hotel’s closure in 2001.
Although parking was once considered a redevelopment challenge despite nearby large garages, Main Street Garden Park might have incorporated underground parking had a private developer been involved before its completion in 2008.
Recent efforts converting nearby vacant buildings into residences along with municipal redevelopment initiatives have revitalized the surrounding area. Main Street Garden Park functions as a communal space for locals, employees, and students attending the nearby Universities Center at Dallas.
Preservation Dallas identified the building among its Most Endangered properties in both 2007 and 2008, actively promoting its conservation. In 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated the Statler Hilton as one of "America's Most Endangered Places" due to its importance as a mid-century architectural landmark.
In June 2009, AIA Dallas organized a design competition for a temporary installation aimed at enhancing views from Main Street Garden Park while the structure remained vacant. Later that year, backlit opaque plastic panels covered the lower floors, giving the building an illuminated lantern-like effect.
On March 1, 2011, developer Leobardo Trevino acquired both the Statler Hilton and adjacent library with intentions to restore the exterior and gut the interior down to concrete. Trevino planned to return the building to its original condition from 1956. His firm was simultaneously involved in restoring 1600 Pacific Tower downtown. During renovation work in March 2012, a long-forgotten 40-foot mural dating back to 1956 was rediscovered.
By April 2013, Trevino's company Ricchi Dallas Investments considered selling the property. Dallas-based developer Jack Matthews’ firm Matthews Southwest conducted due diligence on possibly acquiring it with plans to continue residential redevelopment but withdrew from negotiations in July 2013 citing financial impracticality.
Restoration
In September 2013, Centurion American Development Group, led by developer Mehrdad Moayedi, entered into a nonrefundable agreement to acquire the vacant 19-story structure on Commerce Street, with plans to finalize the purchase by April 2014. While residential redevelopment was a primary focus, Moayedi also explored alternative possibilities including a cinema, grocery store, dining establishments, retail outlets, and potentially a live music venue.
On May 1, 2015, the announcement was made to transform both the building and the neighboring Old Dallas Central Library into the Statler Hotel & Residences, a $230 million initiative. Hilton Hotels operates the property under their Curio Collection brand. The hotel portion occupies the first five floors with 159 guest rooms, while the upper 11 floors comprise 219 residential apartments. The development offers amenities such as conference spaces, retail and office areas, four restaurants, a lounge, and a proposed music venue within the 14,500-square-foot ballroom. The hotel officially reopened its doors on October 17, 2017.
In the media
On July 1, 1976, prior to an Ike & Tina Turner show at the Statler Hilton, Tina Turner departed from her husband Ike Turner. After experiencing a physical confrontation on their way to the hotel, she escaped shortly after arriving and sought refuge at the nearby Ramada Inn (currently known as Hotel Lorenzo).