Sheraton Century Center/Broadway

Called "the unit block" because of its low-numbered addresses, this part of Broadway was one of the most dense parts of the city from the earliest settlement. The first tall buildings were built here, like the Culbertson and Herskowitz Buildings, and there were a number of hotels in the area like the Roberts and the Huckins. 

Called "the unit block" because of its low-numbered addresses, this part of Broadway was one of the most dense parts of the city from the earliest settlement. The first tall buildings were built here, like the Culbertson and Herskowitz Buildings, and there were a number of hotels in the area like the Roberts and the Huckins.

Early on, proponents of urban renewal were concerned about the lack of available hotel rooms to house the masses of conventioneers that were going to be visiting the city. To address the problem. two sites adjacent to the Myriad Convention Center were chosen for large hotel complexes. However, much like what happened with the Galleria site for retail, several hotels like the Huckins, Kingkade, Milner and Roberts were demolished which left the only hotel rooms 2-3 debris-laden blocks away from the Myriad. Like merchants, hoteliers like to cluster together, so with no other hotel nearby, they were reticent to be the first into the area.

Finally, in 1973, Sheraton agreed to return to Downtown in the proposed Century City mixed hotel and retail development. Money problems and delays plagued the project so it was not until 1977 that the 400+ rooms became available. It would not be until 2000 that the Marriott opened on the east of Broadway.

"Downtown Hotel Model Unveiled." Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) May 4th, 1973. .11.

"Final Razing in Block Near." Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) October 9th, 1972. .1.

Reid, Jim. "Hotel, Shops Complex Starts." Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) October 4th, 1973. .1.