Reviving a Dallas icon

The Statler, one of Dallas’ Downtown landmarks that once entertained iconic movie stars and presidents, recently underwent a $250 million renovation.

A mid-century marvel with a storied past

The building was originally designed by architect William B. Tabler and opened in 1956. The Statler featured many guest-related innovations, such as a helicopter pad on the roof and televisions in all guest rooms. It’s also reported that The Statler was the first in the hotel industry to play music in the elevators.

After falling on hard times and shutting down in 2001, the building sat empty for 17 years. The Statler was at great risk of being demolished in order to enlarge the park across the street. The building was added to the preservationists’ list of the most endangered landmarks in Dallas in 2004.

Dallas-based Centurion American Development Group bought The Statler building in 2014 saving the architecturally and historically significant building. The project was backed by millions in financial incentives from the city of Dallas.

Eklund brings the vision to life

During the massive renovation efforts at The Statler, Eklund’s, Inc. was sub-contracted by Dallas Fort Worth general contractor, TriArc Construction LLC, to manufacture and install six custom elevator interiors at The Statler Hotel & Residences. Dallas-based Merriman Anderson/Architects Inc. designed the luxury cabs and Eklund’s utilized the firm’s specifications to turn their vision into reality.

Where timeless design meets modern innovation

The multi-million-dollar Statler renovation combined timeless mid-century design with the latest advances in technology and luxury. The elevator cabs were no exception. The lighting-intense design and custom manufacturing essential to successfully execute the architect’s elevator cab visions required Eklund’s expertise.

Luxury in every lift

The Statler hotel elevator cabs feature a gorgeous antique mirror back wall with polished edges and horizontal brushed bronze accent pieces lining the edges of the mirror. Larger vertical brushed bronze panels line the right and left outside edges of the rear mirrored wall. Incorporating the warmth of wood from the lobby’s design, the side walls of the cab are quartered East Indian Rosewood veneer with bronze horizontal reveals.

Illuminated elegance

The elevator foyer prominently features a large bronze Statler logo mounted on a massive white backlit panel extending from the anterior wall over the entire elevator entrance area. Light is also a key design component incorporated into the elevator cabs. Perimeter lighting radiates from behind the edges of each side wall to create a warm glow. The same glowing light feature is incorporated into the suspended ceiling. Perimeter lighting is mounted on top of the three-panel quartered East Indian Rosewood veneer ceiling and radiates from all edges of the ceiling.

Fine craftsmanship and finishing touches

A round quartered East Indian Rosewood handrail with brushed bronze end caps ties the wood side walls and ceiling nicely to the contrasting mirror and metal rear wall.

The cab door cladding features a notable high-end design. Each cab door was carefully cladded with intricate woven metal mesh and finished with bronze end caps. Passengers face these beautifully crafted doors during their ascent and descent.

Brushed bronze frieze, base, reveals, front returns, and transom cladding finish the cabs. Eklund’s also installed LED displays within a plexiglass flush lens in the right front return panel of each cab.

A grand return to Downtown Dallas

The Statler is now, again, one of downtown’s grandest public spaces, with a sleek marble lobby, unique backlit elevator foyer, and a view overlooking Main Street Garden Park. The hip rooftop lounge and pool are premier places to relax on a hot summer day in Dallas.