Renovations at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, will continue the property's historical design standards. Photo Credit: courtesy of the hotel
A full renovation and restoration is underway at Austin's iconic Driskill Hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The transformation of the 1886 luxury hotel in Texas will encompass its 175 guest rooms, the lobby and the common areas, as well as the meeting space and culinary offerings. A new ballroom, a cocktail bar and curated retail space will be added.
First phase to debut this fall
The first phase of the renovation will include the reimagined Driskill Bar and Driskill Grill, as well as the opening of the new cocktail bar, The Victorian. Also being unveiled this fall will be the 110 Tower guest rooms that were built in 1929, the refreshed fitness center and a new 2,800-square-foot ballroom. The second phase, to be completed next summer, will tackle the hotel lobby, the grand staircase and the 74 rooms in the original tower. At that time, the new retail space Stark & Sisters will open, named for the hotel's prominent general manager from the early 1900s and the founding family's children. The Driskill's transformation will be completed in time for the property's 140th anniversary in December 2026.
"In addition to preserving this Texas treasure's storied legacy and unique traditions, this historic renovation will bring Texans together from all over the state to enjoy the Grand Dame of our state in fresh and new ways," said T. Dupree Scovell, managing partner at Woodbine, which owns the property along with Pixiu Investments. "Whether our guests come to the property for a meal, a meeting or a momentous occasion, this transformation is going to elevate the experience they have with us — as well as the caliber of the memories they take away."
New design will take direction from the hotel's storied past
The first-floor lobby will anchor the property as a cultural hub, that channels the stories of Texas' rich history and fosters an environment to create new stories. Just off the lobby, a historic archive will serve as a time capsule of the Driskill through the decades. The mezzanine, housing the hotel's social spaces, will pay homage to Lady Bird Johnson, featuring crown molding, vibrant greenery and natural light. In the guest rooms, a custom headboard crafted in partnership with Austin's Fort Lonesome will be a spotlight, complemented by hues of worn orange, patinaed blue and musky gray.
Culinary changes to come
The Driskill Bar and the Driskill Grill will take a new direction from iconic New York culinary legend, chef April Bloomfield, who will steward this new concept as her Southern debut and first project under her new role with MML Hospitality, which is overseeing the hotel's food-and-beverage operations. The vibrant new Victorian cocktail bar and lounge will open on the corner of 6th Street and Brazos.
Following the work, the hotel will have 16,500 square feet of meeting space. The largest is the Driskill Mezzanine at 5,634 square feet.