Celebrate The Centennial of Le Meridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh at This Roaring ’20s Soiree Thursday

This Thursday, October 26, 2023, Le Meridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh will host a gala fundraiser in honor of its 100-year anniversary by opening up its exclusive 11th and 12th floors for hundreds of lucky guests to toast the Centennial and party like it’s 1923. Partnering with The Stoneleigh is Preservation Dallas, the nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of the city’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, and places.

As one of the first, historic jewels in Dallas’s famed hotel crown, The Stoneleigh has commissioned a one-of-a-kind diamond jewelry piece to be raffled off and awarded to one lucky winner.  All proceeds from this raffle will benefit Preservation Dallas and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life and economic development of Dallas by championing initiatives that value the history and culture of places throughout the community.

This week’s Centennial Gala will take guests back in time to the Roaring Twenties to experience a taste of how Dallas celebrated the Jazz Age. This is all part of the hotel’s year-long celebration of its Centennial, which offers the public a fresh look at the institution that has welcomed the likes of Judy Garland, Andy Warhol, Tom Cruise, Aretha Franklin, and Yoko Ono, to name just a few.

This year The Stoneleigh’s limited series of one-night speakeasies gave select groups of Dallasites an inside look at the 11th and 12th floors, where they found the most exclusive section of The Stoneleigh transformed into a 1920s-style speakeasy. Thursday night’s gala will break new ground by opening up each of the exclusive historical spaces and filling them with public art and entertainment like never before. 

Enjoy 1920s-inspired hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and music during the evening along with activations throughout the hotel including a silent auction that will also benefit Preservation Dallas.

“Congratulations to The Stoneleigh,” said Preservation Dallas Executive Director, Carolyn Howard. “After 100 years of luxury accommodations for hundreds of thousands of visitors to Dallas, including Elvis Presley and soul singer Aretha Franklin, this landmark building reflects the growth and preservation ethic of Dallas. We are proud to call The Stoneleigh a place of living history.”

The Stoneleigh was established in October of 1923 nestled on the corner of Maple Avenue and Wolf Street. Dallas’s famed hotel embodies modern luxury with rich culture and European influences. Originally recognized as The Stoneleigh Court Apartment Hotel, it has made a lasting earnest impression on its guests.

The beaux-arts style building was originally designed by F.J. Woerner, which ignited high-rise luxury-style living in Dallas. The unique Stoneleigh interior was originated by Dorothy Draper, the first female interior design firm owner in the United States. Her modern baroque black and white floral wallpaper located on the 11th floor was turned upside down during installation, due to Draper’s artistic eye for design and forever created her legendary design trademark and made her iconic colorful prints famous worldwide.

With unique features, accents, and historical wonders, The Stoneleigh is truly special. In 1934, The historic hotel was bought by a former visitor who instantly fell in love with The Stoneleigh, Col. Harry E. Stewart. After the big purchase, he then added on the first-ever penthouse in the State of Texas. Designed by Dorothy Draper, this Penthouse included a stunning 12th-floor terrace, marble flooring, 500-year-old English Oak paneling, and one-of-a-kind designs created by Draper herself.  Over the years, updates to the 11th and 12th floors have highlighted a chic and timeless design while capitalizing on the importance of maintaining historic beauty. 

“Our team is so proud to be part of the 100^th anniversary at The Stoneleigh, as well as partnering with Preservation Dallas,” Stoneleigh General Manager Stacy Martin says.  “We are so fortunate to be part of a community that values the rich history of our city, and supporting Preservation Dallas is the right thing to do as part of our celebration of 100 years.”