Long-closed Barfield Building in Amarillo to become a Marriott

The Barfield Building in downtown Amarillo, closed for almost 25 years, soon will be reborn as the Barfield Marriott.

KFDA-TV in Amarillo had the scoop:

The City of Amarillo just approved a $20 million permit, allowing the contractor to begin renovations.
“The Barfield Building is one of our most historic buildings in downtown,” said Beth Duke, Executive Director of Center City. “Built in 1927, really in the building boom that preceded The Great Depression. That building has been empty for decades and I’m so proud that it could have a new life. With this permit, we are so excited to have another hotel downtown.” […]
“It’s a huge reinvestment in downtown. That is one of our largest empty buildings,” said Duke. “So of course, putting that back on the tax roll and back in business, means a lot because its been sitting vacant for many years.”

Center City, if you’re wondering, is a nonprofit organization that envisions the revitalization of downtown Amarillo.

The Barfield is part of the portfolio of Tulsa-based Coury Hospitality, which also runs the Colcord Hotel in Oklahoma City and Ambassador Tulsa — both historically significant buildings.

Coury listed the Barfield under “works in progress” and described it as such:

Currently known as the Barfield building, Coury Hospitality is the hotel management partner in this historic renovation. The building redevelopment is slated for a 109 room boutique hotel and will franchise with Marriott’s soft brand, Autograph Collection.

Architexas, an architectural services firm in Austin, is listed as the firm that will rehabilitate the building. It states on its website:

Originally the Oliver Rea Eakle Building, the Barfield Building is located on Polk Street in downtown Amarillo, Texas. Constructed in 1926, the Barfield Building is a ten story building with a basement designed by Wyatt C. Hedrick. The Barfield Building was originally an office building with retail on the ground floor. The building has been renovated and modified in the past but retains much of its original historical integrity. The proposed development plan is to adapt the building to a boutique hotel with accompanying related hospitality functions. It is planned to have 110 guest rooms, restaurant, and event accommodations.

The building sits on Polk Street and Sixth Avenue, on Route 66.

A lot’s happening in downtown Amarillo, but this development brings to mind the restoration of the long-closed Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa. The revitalization of downtown Tulsa took off like supersonic jet not long after the Mayo reopened.

(Hat tip to Nick Gerlich; image of the Barfield Building in 2015 by KFDA via Facebook)

3 thoughts on “Long-closed Barfield Building in Amarillo to become a Marriott

  1. Does the Santa Fe sign on the Barfield Building light up? Has it been on for the last couple of decades? If not, why not? You can see it for miles. It’s Texas. It’s more than a hundred feet in the air. In Texas. I never knew it was there until I “Google-Earthed” it. The article didn’t mention it.

    1. There is no sign on the Barfield building. The Santa Fe sign is on top of the Santa Fe building several blocks south.

      The Santa Fe building was restored in the late 90’s and the sign was relit then after being off for years. Potter county has their offices there. Several years ago the lights that light up the crown of the building were upgraded to LED and they can be changed to any color.

      And yes you can see that Santa Fe neon for miles.

  2. The Barfield building does not have a sign on top. The Santa Fe building several blocks south has the Santa Fe sign.

    The Santa Fe building was restored in the late 90’s after sitting vacant for years. The sign was relit after the restoration was done. Potter county has their offices in the building.

    Several years ago the lights that lit up the crown were upgraded to LED and can be changed to any color.

    And yes you can see the Santa Fe neon for miles.

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