ForrestPerkins, a distinct studio of Perkins Eastman
The iconic Fort Worth landmark that was built in 1929 to house Sinclair Oil Holdings is now The Sinclair, a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, which opened in January, 2020. This 164-room hotel boasts magnificent historic features that have been well preserved over the past ninety years. From its origins as Sinclair Oil Holdings’ headquarters, the structure had always been an office building until the time of renovation; the challenge for ForrestPerkins, a distinct design studio of Perkins Eastman, was to adapt it into something it wasn’t designed for. This adaptive reuse had to comply with modern hotel building codes and get approval from the Texas Historic Commission.

The resulting design maintains the stone walls and flooring that distinguish the building’s historic 1929 corridors, which required guest rooms and baths to be planned around them. The old double-height executive suite  also posed a challenge to the guest-room layouts, along with the historic commission’s requirements that original office doors remain in place, even though they were inoperable. The original signage for corridor toilet rooms and stairwells also stayed, giving guests a true sense of the building’s history. The design team took advantage of the two-story executive office, transforming it into the hotel’s luxurious 16th floor penthouse suite.

While celebrating its past, the Sinclair also heralds its future as Fort Worth’s first “smart hotel” and one of the most tech-forward and energy-efficient hotels in the country. Guest rooms offer innovative amenities such as Kohler DTV + Digital showers, Savvy Electric touchscreen mirrors to order room service, and custom LG 8K Wallpaper TVs. Guest rooms also have In-Room Network Presence Sensing technology, which automates lighting, roller shades, and room locks. And departing from the standard diesel generator, its lithium ion battery makes The Sinclair the world’s first hotel to run on battery-operated power.

The hotel’s interior design draws on Fort Worth swagger that’s elevated for a luxurious modern experience. Drawing inspiration from the glamour of the Art Deco period, the material palette includes rich walnut and velvet, sleek marbles, and burnished gold metals. Cowhide and leather are juxtaposed against elegant finishes to create a distinctly Fort Worth experience. Art provides a surprising twist, furthermore, showcasing pop-culture icons and caricatures of iconic Texas personalities. Guest rooms provide a modern, sleek aesthetic with Italian-made case goods, marble and polished stainless steel vanities, and wood flooring.