The Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University

Blending rich history with modern hospitality, this historic hotel has long served as a living classroom for future leaders in hospitality.

Once nicknamed the “Waldorf of the West,” the Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University holds the distinction of being the first purpose-built hotel located within a university student union. Recognized in 2004 by the Historic Hotels of America program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the hotel continues to serve as both a boutique accommodation for alumni and visitors and as a hands-on training facility for OSU’s nationally ranked School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration.

In 2014, the Atherton underwent a complete renovation to modernize the guest experience and improve access. Wallace Design Collective provided structural and civil engineering services for the project, which included the full demolition and reconfiguration of the hotel’s interior.

Guest rooms were enlarged, reducing the overall count from 81 to 69, and a new South Tower addition introduced a relocated main entrance with drive-up access, a spacious elevator and additional stairs. The renovation also expanded bar and exterior spaces, offering guests views of OSU’s Formal Gardens, Theta Pond and the Price Family Garden, whose harvest supplies fresh ingredients for the hotel’s Ranchers Club Restaurant.

photography: ©Ralph Cole