Hospitality Design - May 2016 - (Page 151)

perspectives places austin 1 LONE STAR The Texas capital continues to shine Austin has experienced unprecedented growth in the past decade, thanks in part to the expansion of the convention center in 2002 (with hopes to increase it again to more than 300,000 square feet), and a resulting spike in hotel demand. As of February, Austin had 25 hotels in construction for 4,057 rooms, and since 2006, the city has seen a 30 percent increase in hotels, growing by 67 properties, according to hotel data and analytics specialist STR. The city is capitalizing on its budding tech and medical industry, ubiquitous music scene, strong University of Texas system, Millennial presence, and events such as South by Southwest, Austin City Limits, and Formula 1 racing circuit. "From a business perspective, it's great because it's diverse," explains Mark Sherwin, executive vice president of operations for Sonesta, whose 195-key hotel Sonesta Bee Cave opened last July. "It's not just dependent on one demand generator." But it's Austin's rich history and amalgamation of many different cultures that are draws for developers. Mark Zeff, the designer behind the new Hotel Van Zandt, calls it the new New York. "It's a cosmopolitan little jewel where people come from all over to settle and live and work," says Zeff, founder of his eponymous New York firm. "Austin is growing up." Yet it's still the same quirky city that lives by the motto "Keep Austin Weird," an ethos that has proven important for hotels-big or small-entering the city to keep in mind. Brand Power To cater to the growing convention market, even once-independent properties are getting facelifts, like the historic Driskill Hotel, which was acquired by Hyatt Hotels in 2013 and recently joined its Unbound Collection. To celebrate the 189-room hotel's 130-year anniversary, Houstonbased Rottet Studio revamped the interiors by "stripping away some of the layers that had been added over time that took away from the authenticity of the hotel's historic character," says founder Lauren Rottet. A soft palette of muted green, white, and brown hues speaks to the property's southern sophistication. 2 1. Kimpton's Hotel Van Zandt nods to Austin's music scene with a lobby installation where birds made of vinyl records take flight from an antique phonograph. 2. Horn-inspired chandeliers in the spacious lobby welcome guests to Hotel Van Zandt, where materials like brick and white oak meet. hospitalitydesign.com May 2016 151 Photos by WHIT PRESTON By Alissa Ponchione http://www.hospitalitydesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - May 2016

Hospitality Design - May 2016
Contents
Online TOC
From the Editor
People: HD Summit
People: CitySCENE Atlanta
Perspectives
Sketchbook
Business Sense: Mergers
Sustainable Studio: Toscana Resort Castelfalfi
Inspiration: Zaha Hadid Superyachts
Trends: Airport Lounges
Trends: Extended Stays
Places: Austin
Places: London
Interview: Brad Wilson
Interview: Chip Conley
Interview: Alan Faena
Interview: Neil Jacobs
Interview: Pacifica Hotels
5 Questions for Dan Flannery
Products
Profile: Thom Filicia
Trends Custom Art
ICFF Preview
Wallcoverings
Textiles
Surfaces
Bath
HD Expo Preview
From the Show Director
Conference Highlights
Show Highlights
Products
Places: Las Vegas
Special Feature: Los Angeles
Projects
The Camby Hotel + Axiom Hotel
Seamarq Hotel
The Charmant Hotel
Soho Farmhouse
Generator Amsterdam
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Rivertown Lodge
Casa Bonay
Belmond Eagle Island Lodge
Les Bains
Vandal
Talde Miami Beach
Ad Index
Back Space

Hospitality Design - May 2016