When the Colcord Building was completed in 1910, at 12 stories it was the first skyscraper built in Oklahoma City. This building was built by Charles Francis Colcord, who selected William A. Wells as the architect for his building. Wells was a protégé of Louis Sullivan, a founder of the Chicago School style of architecture. Sullivan was also the designer of the molds for the decorative terra cotta, which clads the first, second and twelfth floors of the Colcord Building. At Colcord’s direction, the building was constructed of reinforced concrete. Colcord had witnessed the terrible devastation associated with the San Francisco earthquake and resulting fires in 1906 and wanted to avoid the same catastrophic loss of his building in Oklahoma City.

Every convenience and luxury of the time was incorporated in the construction. Black and white marble adorns the columns and walls of the main lobby, the original nickel and bronze letter box and elevator doors gleam, and an ornamental plaster ceiling crowns the space. Colcord’s monogram, CFC, in flowing script is seen on door hardware and in the exterior terra cotta ornament. The Colcord has served as a prime office and commercial address for the Oklahoma City business community for over 90 years. Even urban renewal, which leveled most buildings along Sheridan Avenue, left the Colcord Building standing and untouched. This downtown landmark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

This legacy defines the Colcord Building’s past; the Colcord Hotel, LLC seeks to define its future. Colcord Hotel, LLC (CH, LLC) is enthusiastic about the vision that the team of Coury Properties, Beck Associates Architects and Manhattan Construction Company brings to this project.

Challenges are bound to present themselves in any historic renovation. With the Colcord’s long history and minimal renovations over the years, there will undoubtedly be surprises throughout the course of the project. In such situations, a coordinated, team approach to solving such challenges is the key to making the project successful. Each of the members of CH, LLC has a history of making the tough decisions, and producing projects that show positive results.

No renovation of the Colcord Building would be complete without paying homage to the building’s heritage. CH, LLC intends to do just that, by integrating the historic features and finishes of the building into the development of a modern, functional hotel. To understand the CH, LLC approach to the Colcord, three facets of the renovation must be examined: the exterior of the building, the interior and its public spaces, and the room finishes.

CH, LLC intends to maintain the marvelous Sullivanesque exterior of the Colcord, while making necessary maintenance and repairs. The exterior masonry walls and exuberant terra cotta ornament will be cleaned and repaired in the gentlest way possible to preserve these delicate features. The existing wooden windows, which are also original