HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – A ribbon-cutting for a new Houston hotel marks a hopeful turn for the city’s hospitality industry after one of the worst downturns in recent memory.
Houston-based American Liberty Hospitality has opened a 14-story, 319-room, dual-branded property—Holiday Inn Express Houston and Staybridge Suites—on Loop 610 near Westheimer Road in the Galleria area.
“We believe the timing of this opening coincides perfectly with the return of business and leisure travel nationwide,” said American Liberty Hospitality CEO Nick Massad, a former president of the Greater Houston Hotel & Lodging Association.
Massad noted recent increases in occupancy across the company’s portfolio, including strong weekend demand and vacation rates exceeding $300 per night in Galveston.
Hotel Occupancy in the Covid Year
The spring reopening contrasts sharply with April 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic devastated the hotel sector. In mid-April 2020, Houston’s hotel occupancy dropped to 23.9 percent, compared with 63.8 percent in April 2019, according to STR, a hotel research firm.
During that period STR reported Houston’s average daily room rate fell 42.6 percent to $59.31, and RevPAR (revenue per available room) plunged to $14.15, down 79.2 percent year-over-year.
As spring 2021 progressed and families took vacation, occupancy levels in Houston climbed back toward the 60 percent range.
Building a High-Rise
American Liberty was already well into constructing the Galleria-area tower when the pandemic struck.
Arch-Con Corporation served as general contractor on the project at 2351 West Loop South, with MCS Architects providing the design. Construction financing was arranged through PlainsCapital Bank and Artemis Real Estate Partners.
The tower houses 150 suites operating as Staybridge Suites and 169 rooms under the Holiday Inn Express flag. Both brands are part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s largest hospitality companies.
The property sits on the eastern side of Loop 610, a short distance from the River Oaks District.
“The Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites will give value-oriented business and leisure travelers an elevated experience like never before,” said Andrew Mirsky, American Liberty’s director of sales. “I’m confident our guests will enjoy the smartest new hotel in the heart of the highly sought-after Galleria area.”
Design Insights
MCS Architects selected a contemporary, naturally modern aesthetic with a relaxed elegance for the lobby and public spaces, aiming to appeal to both business travelers and families. Design highlights include cascading quartz at the front desk, soaring ceilings supported by light wood columns, and a blend of mid-century modern and Scandinavian-inspired furnishings that create comfortable, well-appointed seating areas.
That same design language continues into the guestrooms, which feature smart finishes and artwork inspired by local landmarks. Several rooms showcase images of Houston’s iconic Astrodome, often referred to as “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Nick Massad and his wife, Vicki, acquired American Liberty Hospitality in 1991. Their philanthropy helped establish the Massad Family Library and Research Center at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
April 2, 2021 Realty News Report Copyright 2021
Caption: Nick Massad Jr., CEO of American Liberty Hospitality, cuts the ribbon at the new Holiday Inn Express Houston and Staybridge Suites – Galleria Area. Photo credit: Ralph Bivins for Realty News Report Copyright 2021.
For readers interested in Houston development: The book Houston 2020: America’s Boom Town – An Extreme Close Up by Ralph Bivins covers developments and trends in the region.