Quote:
Originally Posted by wwmiv
We've talked prior about Virgin and Ritz-Carlton as having eyes on Austin. Being paired with office, residences, and meeting space in the same development is typical of these brands.
This also isn't that far from the convention center, so a relatively disconnected semi-convention oriented upscale hotel paired with flex meeting space available to both conventions and an office component would be ideal to lure funding.
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There's also a long standing rumor (mostly amongst hoteliers, my GM among them) that Loews has interest in Austin, too. Loews tends to like center city locations, but also likes 400+ rooms (generally) and a good amount of meeting space, so not sure this location would be ideal. I've always pegged the 6th and Brazos block for a Loews, because it can take part in the convention business if it wants, but can also do its own thing as well.
IMO, any hotel past Congress is going to be out of the convention orbit for all intents and purposes. By the time the Fairmont and Marriott come onlined, there should be enough quality group rooms within a couple of blocks to keep a given convention tightly packaged. The Proper and ZaZa and W and anything else on the other side of the city will be for tourists and business transient. Which is why IMO the Virgin will fit so well over there.