History comes to life yet again in Oklahoma City with the highly anticipated debut of the region’s restored crown jewel, The National, Autograph Collection, at the First National Center. The building originally opened in 1931 as an iconic bank and landmark monument, and stands proudly at 32-stories high to this day. Following an extensive restoration and one of the biggest renovations in the state’s history, the former bank office tower has been transformed into a hotel with 146 guestrooms alongside opulent new apartment homes, restaurants, bars and retail offerings.
Widely considered one of the region’s top architectural treasures, the First National Center is on the Historic Register and was once the largest building in Oklahoma. Oil drilling, the banking industry and the history of Oklahoma City’s tremendous growth and its arduous challenges are all woven into the fabric of The First National Center, reflecting the ‘Modern Frontier.’
This Spring, the First National Center is set to become Oklahoma City’s epicenter and ‘living room,’ reimagining the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. property into an Autograph Collection property, The First Residences at First National, Stock & Bond Steakhouse, Tellers Restaurant, The Great Hall bar, The Library of Distilled Spirits (in the bank vault), the National Ballroom, a barbershop and a blowout bar—all under one roof. The restoration efforts include repairs to murals, decorative painted ceilings, stone columns, cast stone, metal finishes, vault doors and safes. The Great Banking Hall has been fully restored and will be utilized as a public lobby. The basement and ground floor will encompass a mixture of high-end retail, multiple restaurants & bars and commercial spaces.
The National, operated by Coury Hospitality, comprising the first eight floors of the historic building will feature 146 guestrooms (including 16 suites and the signature Presidential Suite) designed with intent and raw elements from the former building’s previous life. As a unique reprieve for locals and travelers that celebrates the dynamism of the Oklahoma City community, the hotel rooms pay direct tribute to the original design elements found within the celebrated property, maintaining boutique charm with inspired touches.
Taking what was originally intended as office spaces for the former bank and many of the city’s most influential businesses, the rooms have been reimagined into detailed and sophisticated accommodations, featuring dark royal blue color palettes for a more intimate and inviting setting. Located on the third floor lives a 900-sq.-ft. Presidential Suite boasting a large dining table, high ceilings and multiple connecting rooms.
The intersection of old & new: intentional design
Redesigned and brought back to life by NE Development & Partners, ADG, Flick Mars Architects and EverGreene Architectural Arts (historical preservation specialists known for restoring the Jefferson Memorial), First National Center evokes a level of polished endurance and opulence felt immediately upon entering the building. Monumental in size and intricate in every detail, The National serves as a preserved hotel landmark and symbol of Oklahoma’s journey and its connection to its past with an art deco and neoclassical design aesthetic.
“A deeper dive into the existing building uncovered a mix of Art Deco and Neoclassical architectural styles mixed in grand fashion,” said James Flick, architect/partner, Flick Mars. “The Art Deco style was brought into the exterior, the barbershop where the mayor would hold ‘court,’ the elevator lobbies and the Beacon Club; grounded by a grand two-story neoclassic banking hall, adorned with oversize hand-painted murals with a hint of art deco stylization.”
Determined to breathe new life into the space and retain the existing structure, charm and bank artifacts from the 1930s, First National Center is an embodiment of the building’s noble legacy—a moment of civic and national pride for one of the finest examples of American craftsmanship.
“So, more than most modern hotels, The National’s enveloping combination of architectural styles along with a storied history gave the project exceptional credentials that Flick Mars wanted to bring forth via the interior experience,” Flick said.
Upon entering the lobby, guests are immediately greeted by large marble bank columns in the Great Hall, and walls adorned with four large murals—the Louisiana Transfer, Sunset Trail and two of the Oklahoma Land Run, all painted by Edgar Spier Cameron in 1931, depicting scenes of significant events from Oklahoma’s history, surrounding the ‘Great Hall Bar’ and lounge area centering the space.
“There was a combination of design strategies we utilized depending upon the value and existing condition of spaces within the hotel; those strategies include both restoration and adaption,” Flick said. “Spaces which had most of the original detailing intact included the 2nd floor Great Hall (former banking lobby) as well as the 1st-floor entry and elevator lobbies. Most floors had the original elevator lobbies and at least a portion of the original marble wainscot in the corridors to work with. We kept these areas intact and had the finishes cleaned and repaired. Fundamentally, spaces needed to be able to work within a hotel, hence the combination of part restoration, part adaption to some extent. We never focused on featuring modern design per se.”
Art deco details are seen and felt inside and out, from the near century-old marble floor in front of each teller window, to the aluminum aviation beacon that towers 456 ft. above the sidewalk, restored bank vault doors and one symbol that is unmistakably Oklahoma: the corn stalks that adorn the entrance of the building.
“An example of preserving history while adapting the space to meet the needs of a modern hotel is in the Great Hall,” Flick said. “We did not want to compete with the ornate detailing within the space yet needed to infuse the space with energy as it is the very heart of the property. We accomplished this by adding a bar in the center of the Grand Banking Hall at the location of the original customer deposit/withdrawal forms area. We designed a bar and backbar component to enhance the room’s vibe without detracting from the grandeur of the space. We created a central bar evoking the art deco spirit of the exterior, without being a period piece. We surrounded this with four simple metal portals that frame the four entry points to the central bar. These elements bring human scale and vibrancy to the space.”
World-class dining & imbibing takes center stage at The First National Center
The historic property will unveil multiple food & beverage concepts under bespoke hospitality management and development company, Apicii, and Michelin-starred Chief Culinary Officer Jonathan Benno. From Tellers and The Great Hall, to Stock & Bond and The Library of Distilled Spirits, each concept is imbued with a distinct personality and offerings that embody traditional Oklahoma City hospitality with unrivaled craftsmanship and locally sourced ingredients reflecting the region’s bounty.
Tellers (inside The National)
Tellers serves authentic interpretations of regional Italian cuisine featuring traditional methods of Italian cooking and the philosophy of using seasonal ingredients with integrity form the basis of the house-made pastas, wood oven-baked Neapolitan pizzas and locally sourced vegetables and steaks cooked over a wood burning grill. Tellers’ extensive Italian wine list highlights the breadth and diversity of Italy’s wine growing regions and unique varietals. Tellers is located in the historic First National Bank gallery amongst the original teller booths, which have been meticulously restored. The atmosphere at Tellers and The Great Hall embraces the building’s rich heritage as a convivial communal space.
The Great Hall (inside The National)
The Great Hall is evocative of Europe’s majestic all-day bars. The grandeur of this architectural masterpiece is the perfect setting to enjoy espressos paired with fresh baked pastries, or craft European cocktails such as Italian Aperitivos and Spanish Gintonicos complemented by antipasti and Neapolitan pizzas from Tellers.
Stock & Bond (within the First National Center)
Stock & Bond is an American steakhouse that pays homage to the rich agricultural history of the High Plains, where cattlemen and farmers have worked the land and raised livestock since the early 1800s. Stock & Bond also celebrates the American distillers who have honed their craft with an extensive selection of Whiskeys and Bourbons that meet The-Bottled-in Bond Act of 1897, which stipulated that the whiskey must be the product of one distilling season from one distillery, aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof.
The Library of Distilled Spirits (within the First National Center)
The Library of Distilled Spirits houses more than 1,500 unique expressions of distilled spirits. The curated collection is documented in the Library’s Encyclopedia, which highlights the rich history of making liquor from fermentation through distillation, aging and blending. The Library of Distilled Spirits pays homage to the culture of craft cocktails with a selection of more than 200 classics. The barkeeps will combine their deep knowledge of spirits and classic cocktails to create remarkable experiences for guests. The Library of Distilled Spirits is located in the basement of the historic First National Bank building, with an archive of rare and fine spirits stored in the iconic bank vault.
The First Residences at First National: Where art, history & elegance collide
Art, history and elegance combine to create The First Residences at First National, an iconic living space in the heart of Oklahoma City, professionally managed by NE Property Management. The First Residences offer 193 spacious dwelling configurations, including studio, one-and two-bedroom apartment homes and penthouse floor plans that combine stylish and modern interiors.
“The National’s enveloping architecture is set to tell a thrilling new story—magic,” Flick said. “Rich with history, The National merges an enduring presence with innovative amenities with nods to a storied past, inclusive of all conveniences and indulgences.”
Premium community amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, meeting rooms, 14-story parking garage, high-end shopping experiences, rooftop amenity deck with heated infinity pool, cabanas as well as 24/7 valet and concierge services, make this luxury apartment building suitable for a variety of lifestyles.
