MERRILLVILLE, IN—White Lodging Services Corporation has broken ground on the dual-branded Aloft and Element hotel complex in Austin, TX.
Located at the intersection of 7th and Congress, the 32-story development will include the 278-room Aloft Austin Downtown and 144-room Element Austin Downtown. The hotels are both scheduled to open in the early summer of 2017.
“We are excited to be bringing another cool lodging option along with a hip restaurant & bar to the heart of downtown Austin,” said Deno Yiankes, president and CEO, investments & development, White Lodging. “Starwood’s Aloft and Element brands are fresh and unique and we expect this project to continue the activation of North Congress Ave.”
Aloft Austin Downtown and Element Austin Downtown are owned by an affiliate of White Lodging, REI Real Estate, Inc., and Poe Companies, and will be managed by White Lodging. White Lodging also developed and manages The Westin Austin at the Domain and The Westin Austin Downtown, which opened in July.
The property will be walking distance to live music venues, restaurants and shops in the city’s renowned 6th Street Entertainment District. Also nearby are the Warehouse District, 2nd Street District, Austin Convention Center, University of Texas—Austin campus and the Texas State Capitol Building. The hotels will share amenities including an oversized 24-hour fitness center and nearly 1,380 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings.
“White Lodging is a terrific partner, and we are excited to further expand our relationship with them in downtown Austin with this new-build development,” said Allison Reid, SVP of North America development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Aloft with its distinct design aesthetic and lively social atmosphere and Element, an industry leader in the eco-space, offering stylish, sustainable extended-stay lodging, will be two great additions to this dynamic and growing market.”