Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Launches onto the Downtown Scene

NEW ORLEANS - Rockbridge and HRI Properties, LLC announced today the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District, a 214-room hotel located in the heart of downtown Austin. 

Developed by HRI Properties and managed by HRI Lodging, LLC, the vibrant hotel speaks to today’s modern traveler with a welcoming lobby that offers several work and lounge areas extending onto an outdoor patio.  Additional property features include a ground-level bar and restaurant, second-floor breakfast room and meeting space, spacious fitness center with a yoga corner, pet-friendly amenities and an expansive rooftop deck and dual indoor/outdoor meeting and event space with incredible city views.  Thanks to its prime location between the Texas Capital Corridor and the University of Texas, the property is just a short walk to all things downtown Austin including city parks, restaurants, bars, and music venues on Austin’s famous 6th Street. 

“We’re thrilled to open the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District in the heart of the city,” said Michael Coolidge, chief investment & development officer for HRI. “Austin is a thriving hub of art and culture.  We wanted to reflect that throughout the entire property, from the creative food & beverage offerings, to the eclectic local art program, to the vibrant energy of the 17^th floor rooftop deck. The hotel embodies the distinct Austin personality of this dynamic destination, while staying true to the welcoming service and amenities of the trusted Hilton Garden Inn brand.”

Guests will feel a sense of place as soon as they walk through the doors, whether they are visiting for a weekend getaway, business trip, convention or enjoying a local staycation.  With interior design led by Studio 11 Design out of Dallas, TX, the hotel’s chic aesthetic captures the colorful vibe of Austin, with a fresh color palette, artful lighting, and locally sourced materials.  The first level lobby features rich brown leather and earth tones complemented by ample lounge furniture and wood tables that invite guests to linger and laze.  Textured wall coverings and curated artwork flow seamlessly throughout the property’s public spaces and are a nod to the city’s modern, creative spirit and roots as a cattle town.  Notable design elements include eccentric furniture and textiles as well as locally inspired and sourced artwork.  By cleverly mixing the old with the new, and adding subtle references to monumental features and activities found throughout the city, the hotel’s design is undoubtedly as unique as the city itself.

Each guestroom features a 55” SMART TV with premium cable and streaming, mini-refrigerator, microwave, K-cup coffee maker, laptop safe, free wifi and Hilton Beautyrest Harmony beds. Rooms boast sweeping city views of the University of Texas and the state capitol. The unique guestroom décor pays homage to Austin’s eclectic live-music scene with artwork made from vintage posters from the Austin City Limits Music Festival and bringing vibrant pops of color.

Located in the main lobby that flows into a covered outdoor patio, the Analog bar and restaurant offers guests flavors of downtown Austin, with small bites inspired by the food trucks of the city for lunch and dinner, signature cocktails and craft beverages from Texas distributors, and live music from local artists. Guests and patrons of the lobby bar enjoy exclusive access to Apex, the 17^th floor rooftop deck. With impressive views of the University of Texas, Austin Hill Country, and the state capitol, the chic outdoor space provides ample lounge furniture and lawn games. Apex will also offer occasional pop-up events and can be reserved for meetings and private events with up to 100 guests. Additional dining options include Intro: Early Eatery which provides guests with a full American breakfast buffet and coffee to start their day, and The Store, offering a selection of locally made products and pre-made items from Analog for grab-and-go dining. 

The downtown property offers over 4,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space including the Apex Room and 17^th floor rooftop terrace, both showcasing stunning views. Meetings are tailored around any need — from large gathering options to socially distanced setups — and are ideal for organic networking of small meetings to medium-sized conferences. Designed with a cool color palette, the interior décor incorporates shades of cream, blue and gold in bold, geometric patterns complemented by rich wood tables. High vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows add a sense of depth and modern sophistication to the spaces. 

To emphasize Hilton’s commitment to the health and safety of guests, the property is participating in the Hilton CleanStay Program to deliver an industry-defining standard of cleanliness. The elevated processes and Team Member training have been developed with Reckitt, maker of Lysol and Dettol, to help guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay from check-in to check-out. 

Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount and free wifi. To celebrate its launch, the hotel is running a Grand Opening Offer until February 2022 where guests can enjoy 1,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points per night. Guests can book here. 

The Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District is located at 301 W. 17th Street, Austin, TX 78701. The property is within walking distance of several key sites, including the state capitol, University of Texas Austin, Blanton Museum, Museum of the Weird and many city parks.

About Rockbridge

Rockbridge, a private investment firm with more than 20-years in business, has been investing in and building brands since 1999. The business has made over 275 real estate and hospitality investments in 38 states worth over $9.2 Billion in total capitalization and has over $2.7 Billion in assets under management. Rockbridge has built a family of hospitality, development, and management company brands, and its continued success is a result of its core Rocks: Relevance, Relationships, Resilience, and Responsibility. In 2020, Rockbridge was honored for a third consecutive year as a top, philanthropic company in Central Ohio.

Learn more at www.rockbridgecapital.com and Instagram.

About HRI Properties, LLC

HRI Properties, LLC ("HRIP") is an internally managed, fully integrated owner, operator and developer of premium branded hotels and upscale apartments in top urban U.S. markets. Since 1982, HRIP and its predecessor have completed more than 90 projects involving more than $3 billion of total invested capital, which include over 6,600 apartment units, over 6,700 hotel rooms, and more than 1.45 million square feet of office and retail space. HRIP is a full-service real estate development company, with in-house architectural design and construction management capabilities and is a national leader in the adaptive reuse of historic structures. As the urbanization trend in the U.S. continues, we are committed to Elevating the Urban Experience by developing, acquiring and managing high-quality real estate located within "walkable" urban neighborhoods where people want to live, work and play. For more information, please visit our website at www.hriproperties.com.