A previously reported hotel consolidation and renovation deal involving historic properties in Alpine and Fort Davis seems to have hit a snag. Big Bend Times first reported earlier this year that Byways Hospitality, an Austin-based boutique hotel group, was under contract to acquire and renovate several historic hotels, including the Holland Hotel and Maverick Inn in Alpine, and the Limpia and Harvard Hotel properties in Fort Davis. The deal, valued at $31 million, aimed to enhance the guest experience through extensive restoration work and new amenities.
Recent developments indicate potential setbacks in the project. The restaurant at the Holland Hotel was closed in anticipation of renovations, but no work has commenced. Additionally, the Harvard Hotel, previously listed as “under contract” on the realtor’s listings, is now back on the market. The property is currently listed for sale on King Land & Water’s website, raising questions about the status of the acquisition deal.
Despite reaching out to Byways Hospitality for comment, the group has not responded to inquiries about the current status of the project or the reasons behind the apparent delay.
Byways Hospitality, co-founded by Brian Carrico and Collin Bibb, initially planned to restore the historic properties while maintaining their architectural integrity. Their vision included adding premium touches to elevate the hotels to a standard similar to the esteemed Gage Hotel in Marathon, allowing them to command higher rates. The Holland Hotel was to be restored to its original layout, including a coffee shop and a new restaurant serving the local community and visitors. Transformative changes were also planned for the Fort Davis properties, such as an expanded pool and upgraded patio spaces.
Allegra Hobbs later reported additional details in the Sentinel, outlining the ambitious plans for the properties. The renovations were seen as a move to revitalize these century-old structures amidst a regional boom in tourism. Byways Hospitality had begun raising the $9 million in capital required to advance the project, intending to maintain the original structures while adding new amenities.
Local business groups and community leaders had expressed optimism about the potential economic impact of the renovations. Jim Street, president of the Alpine Business Alliance, and Reagan Stone, former executive director of the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce, told The Sentinel that they viewed the deal as an opportunity to boost tourism and revitalize the downtown areas of their respective cities.
The situation remains uncertain as the community awaits official word from Byways Hospitality on the future of the project. The delay in renovations and the re-listing of the Harvard Hotel suggest potential hurdles in securing the necessary funding or finalizing the deal. With no further information available, the next steps for these historic properties and Byways Hospitality’s ambitious plans remain unclear.
