STAMFORD, CT—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. said its Aloft brand will more than double its portfolio in Texas in the next three years. Aloft will grow its portfolio from seven to 16 hotels in the Lone Star State by 2018, with the addition of two more hotels in Houston, two more in Austin, three more in Dallas-Fort Worth, and debuts in other cities including Shenandoah and College Station.
“Aloft is experiencing phenomenal growth in Texas, in addition to key markets across the globe, due to the tremendous appeal of the brand’s tech-forward mind-set, vibrant social scene and innovative global programming,” said Brian McGuinness, SVP, specialty select brands for Starwood. “On the cusp of opening its 100th hotel worldwide, Aloft remains one of the fastest growing brands in the history of hospitality with a rapidly growing pipeline.”
“Aloft is gaining considerable momentum across Texas, fueled by rising demand for high-quality lodging in a number of the state’s fastest growing cities,” said Allison Reid, SVP of North America development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “The distinct design aesthetic and lively social atmosphere offered by Aloft is proving to be a hit with travelers, which in turn has generated a buzz in the development community throughout North America and beyond.”
Every Aloft hotel features modern design, loft-like rooms and innovative technologies for the early adopter. The brand has put the spotlight on up-and-coming artists since its 2008 inception with Live at Aloft Hotels, the signature ongoing music series offered at every hotel worldwide. The no-cover acoustic sets showcase emerging talent with live, intimate performances in WXYZ bars. Other signature amenities include Re:fuel at Aloft—a one-stop gourmet grab & go food and beverage area; a Splash pool; and a 24-hour fitness center.
Aloft Hotels opening in Texas in the next three years include:
• Aloft College Station (August 2015): Just minutes from the Texas A&M University campus, Aloft College Station will offer 102 rooms and 1,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. The hotel is also near Blinn College, the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Post Oak Mall, Grand Station Entertainment Center and the restaurants, bars and music venues in the Northgate district.
• Aloft Houston Downtown (2016): Aloft Houston Downtown is an adaptive-reuse project and will occupy the historic Stowers Furniture Building, built in 1913. Offering 165 rooms and 2,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the hotel will be positioned at the heart of the Central Business District near several major corporations including Shell Oil, JP Morgan Chase, Chevron and KPMG. Nearby attractions include Minute Maid Park, the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Theater District.
• Aloft Austin Northwest (2016): Aloft Austin Northwest will feature 131 rooms and 1,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. It will be adjacent to the Lakeline Mall, the largest indoor mall in Austin, and close to the campus of Dell Inc., Round Rock Sports Center, University of Texas at Austin, Southwestern University and Dell Diamond Baseball Stadium.
• Aloft Richardson (2016): Located within the new 186-acre CityLine development in Richardson, the hotel will offer 148 rooms and 3,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art meeting space. The nine-story hotel will open during the first phase of the CityLine development, along with three office towers, a medical office building, residential apartments, restaurants, shops, an entertainment space, a wellness/fitness facility and a 3.5-acre park. Approximately 22 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Aloft Richardson is adjacent to the State Farm Regional Corporate Office and close to the Richardson Telecom Corridor—home to more than 500 companies including Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Verizon, AT&T and Bank of America.
• Aloft Dallas Love Field (2016): Aloft Dallas Love Field will be part of a dual-branded Starwood hotel development along with Element Dallas Love Field. Located just one mile from Dallas Love Field Airport, the 133-room Aloft and 91-room Element will share facilities including 6,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, a swimming pool and fitness center. The hotels will be part of West Love, a 37-acre mixed-use development that will also include apartments and more than 24,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
• Aloft Houston West (2017): Aloft Houston West will offer a prime location within the Houston Energy Corridor. The hotel will offer 117 rooms and 2,000 sq. ft. of meeting facilities in a convenient location at the intersection of I-10 and Houston Chronicle near Westgate, a 20-acre office park now under development. The hotel will be convenient to the offices of numerous large corporations such as BP America, Citgo, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhilips, and top area attractions such as CityCentre and Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
• Aloft Austin Downtown (2017): Located near the intersection of 7th and Congress, the 260-room Aloft Austin Downtown will join the 150-room Element Austin Downtown as part of a 32-story dual-branded Starwood development. The Aloft hotel will be walking distance to the live music venues, restaurants and shops in the city’s 6th Street Entertainment District and within close proximity of the Warehouse District, the 2nd Street District, the Austin Convention Center, the University of Texas – Austin campus and the Texas State Capitol Building. The hotels will share amenities including a restaurant and bar with outdoor dining along historic Congress Ave., an oversized fitness center and nearly 2,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space.
• Aloft Arlington Entertainment District (2017): Situated within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Aloft Arlington Entertainment District will open within a new mixed-use development known as The Village at Ballpark Way, which will also include retail space and medical offices. Featuring 136 rooms, an outdoor Splash pool, fitness center and 580 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, the new hotel will be just minutes from top attractions including AT&T Stadium, Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, Globe Life Park, Arlington Highlands and the shops and restaurants at Lincoln Square Shopping Center.
• Aloft Shenandoah – Near the Woodlands (2018): Aloft Shenandoah – Near the Woodlands will be well positioned directly across I-45 from The Woodlands, one of the country’s premier master-planned communities and a leading business center, located 27 miles north of downtown Houston. Nearby corporations include ExxonMobil, Halliburton and Chevron Phillips. Walking distance to several restaurants and the Main Event entertainment venue, the hotel will also offer easy access to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands Waterway and Market Street District.