After being completely closed and unavailable to the public for 16 years, downtown Dallas' iconic hotel The Statler has reopened, now part of the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton.

The hotel's central location at Commerce and Harwood streets, as well as its groovy midcentury modern boomerang design and distinctive aqua color, give it a special place on the downtown landscape.

Originally opened in 1956 as one of Conrad Hilton's first convention properties, the Statler was heralded as a pioneer hotel, bringing many firsts — such as elevator music — to the industry. It was also credited with establishing Dallas as an epicenter for business and entertainment.

In a release, Mark Nogal, global head of Curio Collection by Hilton, calls it a special day to have the hotel back in operation. "We look forward to elevating The Statler’s legacy as it adds 159 magnificent guest rooms to our growing collection, to offer travelers and locals alike another magnificent, independent hotel to discover that exudes authenticity," he says.

Designed by Merriman Anderson/Architects, The Statler boasts a timeless, midcentury design with retro-forward finishes throughout the guest rooms and public spaces.

Centurion American Development Group invested $255 million in a redevelopment of the 19-story hotel and mixed-use development. In addition to the 159 guest rooms, it also features 219 residences, restaurants, nightlife, specialty retail outlets, meeting space, and a large-scale event venue.

Centurion CEO Mehrdad Moayedi calls the property "one of a kind."

"Known as the first modern American hotel, The Statler is a one-of-a-kind property encompassing endless history and culture," he says. "Our vision in restoring The Statler to its original glory and beyond was to create the ideal place to live, work, and play for locals, and the ultimate Dallas destination for visitors to our city."

Openings of additional features and amenities will roll out this fall, including:

Dining
The Statler will host five food and beverage outlets operated by Dallas-based Epic F&B and led by local chef Graham Dodds. Overeasy, an upscale diner serving artisanal fare and gourmet coffee, and Bourbon & Banter, an underground cocktail lounge with an extensive bourbon and whiskey library, are already hosting special events.

Coming later in 2017 are Fine China, a full-service Pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar; Scout, a 12,000-square-foot social space featuring an American menu; and Waterproof, a poolside roof deck bar and lounge.

Event space
There are 10 meetings rooms and a 13,154-square-foot Grand Ballroom for a multitude of events, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and high-profile social galas, including A-list concerts.

Amenities
The Statler's leisure opportunities include a rooftop pool and lounge opening later this year; a multi-use fitness center; bowling; and games. Its central downtown location makes it convenient to other dining, nightlife, shopping, and cultural destinations. It overlooks Main Street Gardens, a 1.75-acre public park, and is a short walk from attractions including the Dallas Farmers Market and the historic Neiman Marcus flagship store.

The Statler is managed by Dallas-based Aimbridge Hospitality, the nation’s largest independent hotel management company. The Statler is also part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton's 14 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, and access to the Hilton Honors mobile app.

Curio Collection by Hilton was launched in 2014 with more than 40 upscale hotels and resorts handpicked for their unique character and personality. Dallas has one other Curio Collection property: the Highland Dallas at US-75 and Mockingbird Lane.