The midcentury hotel on the southwest side of downtown Houston billed itself as one of the first four-star hotels in Texas when it opened more than five decades ago, with white marble floors, a floating staircase in the lobby and other design details by a renowned Los Angeles architect.

It opened in 1963 and drew high-profile guests such as Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin band members, and Sonny and Cher. It shuttered in 1989 amid the oil bust and sat vacant before it was purchased by Sotherly Hotels in 1999.

The hotel at 1700 Smith, currently the Crowne Plaza Houston Downtown, will now return to its historic brand The Whitehall next month and show off a $5 million renovation, the first extensive revamp since a $25 million improvement made when the property was purchased.

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The recent renovations to the 259-room hotel, including a face-lift to the exterior, new lighting and additional landscaping, are the first of this magnitude since Sotherly took ownership, Taylor said.

Guest rooms were updated with hardwood floors. Heavy curtains were added, and the bedding was updated. Amenities were added, including showers with glass doors. The pool areas was updated and the lobby was restored.

The hotel will be rebranded as The Whitehall on April 14. At the same time, the hotel's restaurant, Brazos, will open as Edgar's Hermano, with executive chef Sylvia Covarrubias at the helm. A new restaurant, Part and Parcel, will also open.

Taylor said the company decided to end the contract with Crowne Plaza. Sotherly wanted to launch its own brand and have it reflect the boutique hotel.