Matthews Hospitality is the preferred developer candidate for upcoming project
(TULSA, Okla.) – A transformative addition to the Tulsa skyline continues to progress as talks with a preferred partner for the development of a downtown hotel connected to the Arvest Convention Center
move forward.
After an intensive selection and interview process, Matthews Hospitality, a hotel development company based in Dallas, Texas, has emerged as the preferred candidate out of a nationwide field of premier candidates. Matthews was the developer for the Omni Convention Center Hotel in Dallas and is currently developing the Broward County Hotel & Convention Center Expansion in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and the Signia by Hilton Savannah in Savannah, Ga.
“We are honored the City of Tulsa has engaged us in helping to bring its new convention center hotel to life,” said Mike Garcia, president of Matthews Hospitality. “From the start, we are working to shape a vision that reflects Tulsa’s aspirations for this project and the role it will play in the city’s future.”
Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects is the design architect for the project, and Tulsa Vision Builders, a joint venture between Tulsa-based Flintco Construction and Manhattan Construction, will be the General Contractor. Tulsa-based GH2 Architects will be the architect of record.
“Matthews Hospitality is a tremendous partner, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them,” said Cara Shimkus Hall, principal of GH2 Architects. “It means so much to be a Tulsa business working on this hotel that will change Tulsa’s landscape on such a profound level, and we cannot wait to get to work.”
Tulsa-based structural and civil engineering firm Wallace Design Creative is also working on the project. One of the top priorities overall is keeping jobs local and utilizing the Tulsa workforce.
“This will be a tremendous addition to the Tulsa economy, and that begins long before the opening of the hotel,” said Erran Persley, chief economic development officer of the City of Tulsa. “The goal was to keep these opportunities in Tulsa, using local partners and businesses as much as possible, and Matthews’s proposal made clear they placed a high value on that. This is the kind of project that generates economic growth and development for generations to come.”
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, Tulsa lost out on 32 events due to either a lack of rooms available for the preferred dates or insufficient space under one roof, two issues that the convention center-connected hotel will help rectify.
“Adding an anchor hotel to downtown Tulsa will elevate our standing around the world and get us ‘in the game’ for even more premier meetings and events,” said Renee McKenney, senior vice president of tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and president of Tulsa Regional Tourism. “Matthews Hospitality is best-in-class, and I am excited to see them continue to work with the City of Tulsa to progress this project even further.”
A Convention Center Hotel Committee, comprising city representatives, hoteliers, developers, and partners, meets regularly to continue developing and finalizing the project’s planning.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Tulsa’s hotel community and the city as a whole,” said Mike Levinson, Aloft Downtown Hotel. “It is truly a ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ scenario. A downtown, anchor hotel connected to the Arvest Convention Center will make Tulsa an even more appealing destination, which will only benefit the entire business community. I am thrilled to see this city-changing project continuing to move forward.”
The project is planned for completion in 2029.
About Tulsa Regional Tourism
Tulsa Regional Tourism is northeast Oklahoma’s premier accredited destination marketing organization. Housed at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, it includes Visit Tulsa for leisure travel, Tulsa Convention & Visitors Bureau for meetings & conventions, Tulsa Sports Commission for amateur & pro sports, and the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (FMAC) for creative industries and an accredited film commission. Tulsa Regional Tourism leads the community’s bidding for and hosting of signature events like the PGA Championship, NCAA and BIG 12 Wrestling Championships, USA BMX Grand Nationals, the Arabian Horse Association’s U.S. Nationals, and more. For more information, visit visittulsa.com [2].
