Mayo Hotel Returns in Glory to Downtown Tulsa
What do President John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Charlie Chaplin and Mae West have to Tulsa, Oklahoma? They all stayed in the once famous and beautiful Tulsa Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa.
Built in 1925, the Mayo hotel was designed in the Chicago style and patterned after the Plaza Hotel in New York City. It was once Oklahoma's tallest building at 14 whopping floors tall! It originally had 600 rooms, ceiling fans in each room and the first running ice water which made the Mayo hotel a haven from summer heat and humidity of the 20's and 30's in Tulsa.
Downtown Tulsa wasn't a place that would attract visitors in recent years. While many Tulsans would report for work in the daytime, there was no real reason for them to hang around after hours. Sure, there was some nightlife, productions at the Performing Arts Center and occasional shows at the Brady, but dining options and were few and most people would scatter after work or their show. Downtown Tulsa could be a bit scary after hours.
All that changed when Mayor Kathy Taylor came into office. Under her leadership, the BOK center was built, the city of Tulsa purchased a new high rise office building for their offices and a new ballpark for the Tulsa Drillers is being built. These things, along with our new downtown Brownstone housing project have served to bring life back into the downtown Tulsa area.
Now, the Mayo hotel will be a part of the heartbeat of Tulsa once again. Reports say that there was an attempt to renovate the Mayo hotel in the early 1980's. But it wasn't successful and the building was left empty and missing many of its original fixtures and interior decor. The Mayo was then abandoned for 20 years and most felt it seemed certain that she would face the wrecking ball. But in June of 2001, the Snyder family bought the Mayo hotel for get this...only $250,000! They soon began renovation efforts, beginning on the lower floors, which quickly became a popular spot for parties, receptions and meetings. Even some of the high schools began booking their proms at the beautiful Mayo hotel.
In 2008, conversion of seven of the upper floors into 70 loft apartments began. According to the website rent.com, the apartments at the Mayo rent for between $940.00 and $2550.00, depending on size. Amenities include air conditioning, cable tv, ceiling fans, hardwood floors, high speed Internet, walk-in closets, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator and a washer and dryer in the unit. The apartments are as beautiful as the hotel suites, with dark-wood cabinets, granite counter tops and awesome views of the Tulsa skyline.
The Mayo hotel proudly opened for business in September of 2009. According to the Tulsa World, there is a Celebrity Suite that is available for $1500 per night. This obviously is target at entertainers who come to Tulsa to perform at the Performing Arts Center, the Brady Theater or the BOK Arena. Regular rooms begin at $150.00 per night.
Today the Mayo hotel features somewhat of an industrial decor. For example, the dining room features exposed air-ducts and a bar made out of salvaged metal from the hotel's original water tank.
For the best pictures of the grand Mayo hotel click here.
If you're looking for a great place to visit, but you've never been to Tulsa, consider coming to visit us. And be sure to tour or stay at the beautiful Mayo hotel. You'll love our beautiful and thriving downtown area, our easy to navigate city and some of the friendliest people in America!
This information is provided by Bob Haywood, long time resident of Tulsa Oklahoma and Realtor with McGraw Realtors. For information on the Tulsa housing market, the Mayo hotel or other features of our wonderful city, contact Bob at 918-272-7272 or visit www.BobHaywood.com.
