McBirney Mansion B&B Closes

[rdj]

I don't believe Khoury ever owned this hotel, only managed the property.

Was the plan to expand just a complete pipe dream?

[carltonplace]

I don't believe Khoury ever owned this hotel, only managed the property.

Was the plan to expand just a complete pipe dream?

It didn't start out that way, but they didn't do their homework. The grounds are protected by the Oklahoma Historical Society because of the underground spring which Washington Irving visited while writing "A Tour of the Prairies". The Mansion is on the National List of Historical Places and there are (not really strenuous) limits to changes that can be made to the structure itself.

Basically the plan was to put underground parking and additional hotel space on the grounds (would have diverted or destroyed the spring) and tear a hole in the mansion for a skywalk (would have egregiously altered the structure).