Downtown Austin: Micro-Hotels: Houston Developers Planning Historic Hotel Redevelopment

William R. Franks

In Austin, Houston hotel developers Bill Franks and Trend Hospitality have contracted to buy a historic building in downtown Austin for a hotel project featuring trendy, small rooms that are part of the new “micro-hotel” segment, Franks told the city’s Historic Landmark Commission.

The proposed 12-story hotel would be located at the old Bartholomew Robinson property, 1415 Lavaca St.

Tentative plans call for a Motto By Hilton hotel to be built there, said Franks, who has been involved in a number of hotel redevelopment project including the JW Marriott in 100-year old building in downtown Houston. Motto is a new Hilton brand targeted for Millennials.

As stated by Hilton, The Motto guest rooms, with an average footprint of 165 sq ft, are highly efficient rooms is set to include space-saving features such as wall beds, lofted beds, segmented shower and toilet stalls, and multi-use furniture.