A Look at Hotel Renovations

NATIONAL REPORT—As hotels begin to reopen across the country, guests are being welcomed back to reimagined and refreshed spaces. Here are the details on the recent renovations:

San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter Unveils Complete Renovation
The San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, part of Marriott International Inc., reveals that a renovation of the entire hotel was completed in early March 2020. The San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter spent 2019 undergoing an extensive renovation of all 1,000 guestrooms, public areas and food and beverage outlets. Additionally, more than 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space was added, bringing the hotel to a total of 70,000 sq. ft. of flexible event space. All guestrooms, suites and common space areas were renovated and refurnished to feature a more modern and luxurious design. The hotel’s lobby and common areas underwent a complete redesign and now features two new dining experiences, complete with a new market, restaurant and bar.

The Union Club Hotel at Purdue University Reopens Following $35M Renovation
The 182-room Union Club Hotel in West Lafayette, IN, recently completed a comprehensive $35-million, year-long renovation where snapshots of Purdue’s legacy can be found everywhere, including in the names of its three new dining concepts. The Union Club Hotel renovation involved a complete overhaul of all guestrooms and public spaces, including a transformation of the lobby to create a grand entrance with a modern loft-like feel. Throughout the renovation, original Purdue architecture and academic-inspired design are preserved in carpet patterns, upholstery, room fixtures and countless other elements in the hotel. The hotel is managed by White Lodging.

Prism Completes Renovation of NYLO Dallas/Plano Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Dallas-based Prism Hotels & Resorts’ NYLO Dallas/Plano Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotels has completed renovations that initially begun in early 2020. Prism continues to work closely with the expertise of JF Capital Advisors, which serves as strategic advisor to the owner. NYLO Dallas/Plano stays true to its origin with loft-style guestrooms complete with exposed concrete, brick and ductwork. The guestrooms gained all new furnishings including desks, headboards, nightstands, platform beds with new Hilton mattresses, hospitality unit, vanity, expanded closet space for added storage, lighting fixtures, woven area rugs, stylish drapery and artwork. Additionally, the hotel’s restaurant has been rebranded Loft Restaurant & Bar.

Prism Completes Renovation of NYLO Las Colinas Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Dallas-based Prism Hotels & Resorts’ NYLO Las Colinas has completed renovations that initially begun in early 2020. Prism also worked with JF Capital Advisors on this project; the company has been a vital partner through the conversion process. With exposed brick, polished concrete and industrial windows, the guestrooms gained all new furnishings including desks, nightstands, platform beds with new Hilton mattresses, expanded closet space for added storage, lighting fixtures, stylish drapery and artwork. Each guestroom and suite bath received enhanced accents that include additional storage space under a chic European style white quartz vanity and a large round backlit mirror for optimal lighting. Each shower now features floor-to-ceiling white subway tile and continues to offer a towering opaque glass overlooking the bedroom area. The hotel’s restaurant, Loft Restaurant & Bar, will be unveiling a new locally inspired menu in late 2020. Loft also provides extremely flexible spaces for indoor and outdoor events. The hotel’s 3,115-sq.-ft. Manhattan Ballroom received structural acoustic upgrades to improve audio quality for large events. The ballroom can entertain up to 300 guests for reception and 220 for banquets.

Santa Cruz’s Chaminade Resort & Spa Completes Renovation
The 156-room Chaminade Resort & Spa is celebrating the completion of an extensive, $10-million transformation in Santa Cruz, CA. To restore the integrity of the property’s 1930s Spanish Revival architecture, the property’s public spaces—including a new arrival experience, lobby, signature restaurant and lounge, the outdoors and fire pit areas as well as its 12,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space—provided an ideal canvas to renew the spirit and heritage of Chaminade’s legacy.

The new design elements emphasize a Spanish-modern aesthetic that comes through with bold, colorful tiles and features that embrace the property’s heritage as seen in the Spanish arches and exposed decorative wood beams. San Francisco Bay Area-based EDG Interior Architecture & Design was the interior design firm responsible for reimagining Chaminade. Chaminade recently completed an $8-million renovation that transformed all 156 guestrooms, suites, bathrooms and corridors reflective of Santa Cruz’s artisan community.

Two of California Hotels Undergoing Major Restorations in the Sierra Nevadas
Located in the heart of California’s historic Gold Rush Country, the Holbrooke Hotel has stood as a landmark along Grass Valley’s Main Street since 1862. To reopen in September following a renovation led by a team of local designers, craftsmen and builders, the Holbrooke is now being transformed. Upon reopening, the 28-room Holbrooke will bring an elevated and timeless guest experience to the Sierra Nevada region, according to the company.

During the transformation of the Holbrooke, which has been more than two years in the making, the project team, helmed by lead designer Anne L’Esperance, uncovered and restored details that had been neglected during the hotel’s long history, including vintage lighting fixtures and underground tunnels used for transporting gold through town. The entire first floor—including the lobby, bar and restaurant space—are accentuated by refinished stone and brickwork and hardwood flooring. The original bar has been restored while maintaining its original character and the restaurant will open onto a fully redone outdoor patio featuring an outdoor fire pit. A lobby-adjacent event space has a bright and airy new feel thanks to the use of white-washed brick and a neutral color scheme. The hotel’s main 17 guestrooms have been completely redone from top to bottom and feature a masculine yet inviting design theme consisting of white walls, rich wood furnishings and top-of-the-line new bedding including pillow-top mattresses and premium linens.

The same team working on the restoration of the Holbrooke is also renovating the nearby National Exchange Hotel, another historic property located in nearby Nevada City, CA. The National Exchange is expected to reopen in late 2020.