This story originally ran on VeloCityOKC.com.
Oklahoma City is celebrating a significant milestone with the grand opening of Lively Hotel at OAK, a new addition to the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. This landmark event also highlighted the unveiling of major public art installations, marking a substantial investment in the city’s landscape.
The event featured remarks from key figures including Ryan McNeil, founder of Veritas Development, Mayor David Holt and artists Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin. The event showcased three prominent sculptures by Oldham and Coltrin: Cloud Trees, Cloud Puncher and The Mighty Live OAK.
The dedication honored the Dobson family’s (Everette Dobson and his wife Jeanetta) generous contributions and marked the culmination of an investment exceeding $2 million by Veritas Development and the Dobson family in these public art installations.
“The Dobson family is a cornerstone of our community,” McNeil said. “Their commitment to bringing opportunities to Oklahoma is unmatched and this art celebrates their incredible impact.”
These sculptures reflect Oklahoma’s pioneering past and promising future, embodying the dynamic connection between the land, sky and the resilient spirit of its people.
Cloud Trees, a 42-foot-wide, 61,000-pound installation, captures the beauty of Oklahoma City’s distinctive landscape. “Our intention with Cloud Trees was to celebrate the ever-changing yet deeply rooted connection between the land and sky,” Oldham said. “This piece serves both as fine art and a functional backdrop for community events, featuring integrated speakers and lighting that illuminate the space below.”
Cloud Puncher, a 50-foot-long sculpture, connects the second-story balcony of Lively Hotel to Heartwood Park below. “The cowboy in Cloud Puncher reflects the determined spirit of Oklahomans,” Coltrin said. “With his hat pulled low, he becomes a universal symbol, inviting viewers to see themselves in the sculpture.”
The Mighty Live OAK, located near the corner of N. Pennsylvania Avenue and Northwest Expressway, is a 22-foot-long, 7,200-pound bronze sculpture symbolizing safety and strength, with acorns representing a promising future.
In addition to these large-scale sculptures, Lively Hotel features a series of six smaller, hidden art installations by Oldham, providing guests with an engaging and intimate art experience.
Lively Hotel
Lively Hotel is the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton property in Oklahoma and marks the 30th Hilton property managed by First Hospitality. Located within the OAK development, the hotel adds 132 boutique rooms to this innovative mixed-use development—a 20-acre space designed to seamlessly blend residential, commercial and recreational areas.
McNeil, highlighting the project and its significance, shared, “The reason this project is possible at this moment is because we see Oklahoma City as a city on the rise. We have that all around us right now. It’s evident in the framing of the RH store, in Mayor Holt’s character and it is seen in the art installations. The types of tenants and the capital dedicated to this project are a testament to everything that has led to this moment in Oklahoma City.”
Mayor Holt shared that the project discussion of OAK with Ryan McNeil dates back to 2018. He also highlighted the timing of the hotel’s opening with the city’s new hotel tax increase: “We are celebrating this hotel just as our hotel tax increase is set to take effect. The visitor economy now represents billions of dollars, and it’s crucial that projects like this integrate that into their design. This hotel, with its retail and dining options, contributes significantly to that vision.”
Jason Kreul, vice president of operations with First Hospitality, shared, “I stay in a lot of hotels all year long, and I can tell you that out of the 70 hotels we operate, this one’s going to be at the top. I’m challenging our team to make this the top-performing hotel in our company and the top-performing Tapestry hotel by Hilton. With about 124 Tapestry hotels in North America, you have all built the best for sure.”
Hailey Noller, sales manager at Lively Hotel and an Oklahoma City local, reflected on OAK’s impact: “A lot of thought went into building OAK. It’s going to be amazing for Oklahoma City. We’re growing, and I’m excited to be part of something special that benefits our community.”
With the grand opening of Lively Hotel and the unveiling of these significant public art installations, Oklahoma City continues in its growth as a dynamic and thriving city where art, culture and hospitality converge to create an inviting environment to live, work, play and visit.
The OAK development continues to take shape, with The Residences at OAK and The Capital Grille set to open in October. Following these, RH (formerly known as Restoration Hardware), Tommy Bahama and other high-end retail spaces will open later, further enhancing the dynamic mix of living, dining, shopping and cultural experiences. In addition to established brands like Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma, Arhaus and Mesero are also set to join the lineup. These exciting additions mark another milestone in Oklahoma City’s growth.
