New details have emerged about the hotel consolidation and renovation project involving historic properties in Alpine and Fort Davis. Previously, Big Bend Times reported 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 Hotel in Fort Davis. The $31 million deal aimed to enhance these properties with extensive restoration work and new amenities.
Recently, Byways Hospitality co-founders Brian Carrico and Collin Bibb provided an update, confirming that the project is still moving forward. Carrico mentioned that while there is a minor issue with one of the four banks involved in the financing, all equity investors remain committed. They have hired Rachel Ziegler as the Director of Operations to oversee the three properties. Ziegler brings nine years of experience in managing successful hotels and restaurants in various Texas markets, including roles at Hotel Paso Del Norte and Stanton House Hotel in El Paso.
Byways Hospitality has also completed the necessary work for historic tax credit approval, ensuring that the hotels will eventually be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Due to this focus on historic preservation, the Harvard Hotel in Fort Davis, which was initially part of the deal, has been removed from the project. This decision allows Byways Hospitality to concentrate on the properties undergoing historic renovation.
Carrico acknowledged that while the project is taking a bit longer than initially planned, they are still making progress. “It’s gonna take a little longer, but we’re still progressing,” he stated. The delay means that the physical renovation work has not yet started, but the company remains focused on moving forward once all the financing is in place.
Initial plans for the properties included restoring the Holland Hotel to its original layout, adding a coffee shop and a new restaurant. Transformative changes were also planned for the Limpia Hotel, such as an expanded pool and upgraded patio spaces.
Local business groups and community leaders had previously expressed optimism about the project’s potential to boost tourism and revitalize the downtown areas of Alpine and Fort Davis. With these new details confirming the project is still on track, albeit at a slower pace, the community awaits the eventual start of renovations that will bring new life to these historic properties.
