The Historic Park Inn Hotel

CHARLESTON, SC — February 3, 2022— The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG) has assumed management of The Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa, including the management of the onsite restaurant and bar. Details on a new restaurant concept and name are expected early in 2022.

“Adding The Historic Park Inn Hotel to our growing portfolio of boutique hotels is an absolute honor for us,” said Larry Spelts, president of Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures at IRHG. “The history behind the Historic Park Inn Hotel and Mason City is absolutely remarkable. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to preserve the integrity of this historic property and look forward to not only preserving its history but being part of it.”

Completed in 1910 and originally part of a larger property, which included the City National Bank and law offices, The Historic Park Inn Hotel is the last remaining hotel in the world designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who’s known for playing a key role in what came to be the Prairie School movement of architecture. The original property, which has undergone several major renovations over the years, and a twenty-million-dollar preservation and restoration project by Wright on the Park, a local non-profit organization, was restored to a working 27-room hotel and events center in 2011. The hotel is in proximity to the Dr. G.C. Stockman House, which Wright designed and built in 1908 for Dr. George C. and Eleanor Stockman. Both properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of historic places worthy of preservation in the U.S., and were designed in the Prairie School style Wright pioneered.

The Historic Park Inn Hotel isn’t the only property with a tie to the renowned architect in IRHG’s portfolio. The Skyline Lodge’s original structure was designed by Arthur Kelsey, a former student of Wright’s. Located just three miles from Highlands, NC, the 47-room property is situated on top of Flat Top Mountain and ideally situated within a short drive from multiple substantial feeder markets, including Atlanta; Asheville; Charlotte; Greenville SC; Columbia, SC; Knoxville, TN; and Chattanooga, TN.

“Our team is thankful for the warm welcome to Mason City and The Historic Park Inn Hotel,” said Steve Palmer, founder and chief vision officer for IRHG. “We want the community to know that we’re determined to preserve the hotel’s historic integrity and local significance every step of the way through this management transition. We’ve enjoyed getting to know Mason City and the wonderful folks at Wright on the Park, and we’re eager to share our plans for the hotel’s new restaurant, which we believe will be a welcome destination and become a gathering place for Mason City residents and visitors.”

About The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG)

Founded in 2009 by Steve Palmer, IRHG owns, operates, and manages restaurants and boutique hotels throughout the country. Based in the Southeast, IRHG is founded upon the core principle of serving with love and creating memorable experiences for all. In 2019, IRHG marked its tenth anniversary by being named a Forbes Small Giant and appearing on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list, and in 2020 announced that hotelier Larry Spelts joined The Indigo Road as a partner and president of its new venture into lodging with a focus on food & beverage driven boutique hotels. The Indigo Road’s dedication to excellence in food & beverage has been recognized the past three consecutive years (’18,’19, & ’20) by Palmer being named a semi-finalist by the James Beard Foundation’s award for Outstanding Restaurateur-US. For more information on the portfolio, team, core values and services, visit theindigoroad.com.

About The Historic Park Inn

In 2011, one hundred and one years after its original opening, The Historic Park Inn Hotel 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. It is currently leased by WOTP to HPI Partners, a division of the Stoney Creek chain, as operator. Since that opening, it is enjoying outstanding occupancy in its 27 hotel rooms, praise for its dining and bar facilities, frequent tours by visitors, and a steady rental of meeting rooms, including the ballroom, for activities.

The Indigo Road Projects