If you’d walked by the Mayo Hotel in Tulsa, Okla., just a few years ago, you’d have seen nothing more than an empty building, visited on occasion by flocks of pigeons. Once the tallest building in Tulsa and a glittering destination in the boom years of the 1920s, the Mayo closed in 1981 as the “Oil Capital of the World” moved from boom to bust. “Tulsa died, and the Mayo died with it,” says Macy Snyder, hotel spokeswoman and daughter of the current owners.

After a disastrous rehabilitation effort in the ’80s that stripped the building of its marble columns, marble stairs, and other architectural ornaments, the Snyder family bought the building in 2001 for $250,000—then the going price for a parking lot in downtown Tulsa. Nine years and $40 million later, the Snyders have finished a striking comprehensive renovation. The hotel, already open to guests, will celebrate its grand opening this week.

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By: Lindsey M. Roberts

This Old House has recognized communities across the nation that are “best places” to find great older homes for renovation or restoration. Unfortunately not one community in Oklahoma made this list. Is this because we do not place enough value on the importance of protecting our older homes? Not true. Many Tulsans do value the older homes and seek them out to restore. However, our current zoning ordinances and city policies are not strong enough to stop unnecessary demolition of used, older homes. Are we missing out on a wonderful opportunity to attract new people to Tulsa? Yes.

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