Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
In 2011, one hundred and one years after its original opening, The Historic Park Inn Hotel, its exterior restored to the original design and its interior restored or rehabilitated, gracefully began fulfilling its place as the last standing hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a tribute to his role in architectural history and a landmark in which Wright on the Park, the city of Mason City, and the State of Iowa can take great pride.
Wright on the Park offers guided tours of the Historic Park Inn Hotel. A 60-minute in-depth tour, the passionate guides provide detailed information about the building’s history and renovation. Visit www.wrightonthepark.org to schedule a tour.
Wright on the Park, Inc. a non-profit organization formed in 2005 owns The Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa. The properties include the original building that housed law offices, a hotel and a bank designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1909 and opened in 1910. The hotel is managed by The South Carolina-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group under the leadership of IRHG founder Steve Palmer and Larry Spelts, President of IRHG Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures.
Gracefully Restored
In 2011, one hundred and one years after its original opening, The Historic Park Inn Hotel, its exterior restored to the original design and its interior restored or rehabilitated, gracefully began fulfilling its place as the last standing hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a tribute to his role in architectural history and a landmark in which Wright on the Park, the city of Mason City, and the State of Iowa can take great pride.
Wright on the Park Foundation offers guided tours of the Historic Park Inn Hotel. A 60-minute in-depth tour, the passionate guides provide detailed information about the building’s history and renovation. Visit www.wrightonthepark.org to schedule a tour.
Through Time
1908
City National Bank elects to build a new building and architect Frank Lloyd Wright is selected for the design
1909 (Spring)
Bank director’s approve Wright’s design and construction begins
1910 (September 10)
Park Inn Hotel opens
1915/1916
Hotel remodel removes mezzanine and skylight to enlarge lobby into a single room
1920's
Farm crisis in US causes failure of banks, including the City National Bank, which sells in foreclosure in 1926
1922
Hanford Hotel opens offering private baths and more modern accommodations
1926
The City National Bank is remodeled, altering Wright’s original design
1922 – 1972
Variety of restaurants and business occupy hotel’s lower floors while guest rooms deteriorate
1972
Bank and hotel earn listing on National Register of Historic Places
1972 – 1989
Private owners turn hotel into an apartment building
1996
Hotel listed as one of Iowa’s “Ten Most Endangered Properties”
2000
City purchases hotel and resells it to the Mason City Foundation for Restoration. Hotel becomes “Save America’s Treasures” project
2005
Hotel ownership returned to City; non-profit Wright on the Park formed to continue restoration
2007
Wright on the Park purchase bank section of the building
2010
100th Anniversary observed while undergoing $18.5 million restoration
2011 (September)
Grand Re-Opening one hundred years after its original opening; The Historic Park Inn Hotel once again boasts an exterior nearly identical to its 1910 original design