Boutique Design - June 2016 - 14

the buzz

TEXAS TWO-STEP
TUNEUP FOR AUSTIN HOTEL'S INTERIORS

"will reflect the true culture and vibe of our city," says Robert Watson, the
hotel's general manager. The public space improvements follow a $23 million
upgrade to the hotel's 801 guest rooms, suites and executive lounge in 2014,
and a $1 million refurbishment of the hotel's eighth floor pool deck and bar
the year before that.

HIGHLAND DALLAS SEEKS FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
The building housing The Highland Dallas Hotel is a child of the 1960s. First opened a halfcentury ago as a Hilton Inn, the nine-story mid-century structure was by all accounts a
happening place in its early years.
Looking to evoke the property's glory days in its most recent renovation was locally
based design firm Flick Mars. "Our design goal was to complement the signature ambiance
of The Highland Dallas while introducing components that played up the hotel's geography,"
says firm partner James Flick. "When embarking on this project we were required to redis14

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cover Dallas through the eyes of a visitor by identifying iconic
venues throughout town that epitomized Dallas and incorporating them into our design."
As a result, the hotel's 198 keys integrate details inspired by
the region, including carpeting that features patterns representing oil and gas, two prominent commodities in Dallas.
The designers say the rooms are also home to several statement pieces, including a custom headboard that mimics
the look and feel and of a saddle's distressed leather, evoking
Texas' cowboy culture, and woven sculptures of a bull's head
displayed on the walls.
The hotel's corridors got the go-local treatment, as well,
with cream white walls accented with underwater photography alluding to the pool located on the property's second
floor. Each floor's elevator lobbies greet guests with a white
and sapphire print piece and custom rug that depicts a
stylized map of coordinates in the area.
The hotel's centerpiece, 6,000 sq. ft. Opus Grand Ballroom,
also got a makeover. To help create a welcoming ambience
there, designers added decorative sconces resembling jewelry
pieces. Another major focal point within the ballroom is its
custom-made carpet, which features a pattern that never repeats
throughout the room. To help bring added natural light to the
space, multiple windows were installed in its reception area.
This latest update to the hotel comes after its 2014
purchase by Thayer Lodging Group. The property is managed
by Interstate Hotels & Resorts, which Thayer and partner Jin
Jiang Intl. Hotels recently sold to Kohlberg & Co. LLC.

C O U R T E S Y O F H I LT O N A U S T I N / E D G ( H I LT O N A U S T I N ) ; J O H N R U S S O P H O T O G R A P H Y ( H I G H L A N D DA L L A S )

EDG Interior Architecture + Design is working to bring the Hilton Austin
hotel into better harmony with its surrounding city. EDG recently started
work on a $23 million renovation of the convention hotel's lobby, public areas
and meeting spaces, as well as the launch of two new restaurant concepts, a
flexible event venue and the addition of a 3,000-sq.ft. Starbucks outlet.
Here are some specifics of the work that Novato, California-based EDG is
undertaking at the hotel, which is owned by the city of Austin:
* Lobby update, set for completion in mid-summer: This space will
feature small, intimate social zones, designated work spaces and a new
digital media wall that project participants say will offer "a personal
experience with local flair."
* Cannon + Belle restaurant, opening late summer: This eatery will
feature a multi-station open kitchen, an indoor beer garden and a
relaxed "living room"' space.
* The Reverbery (shown), opening late summer: The hotel's new banquet
hall will be a flexible indoor/outdoor space with an "Austin-cool"
recording studio vibe.
* Austin Taco Project, opening late fall: This craft beer and fusion taco
bar will include a large, street-front patio.
The work is slated to be done by year-end, at which time Hilton Austin

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Boutique Design - June 2016

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