Revamped Driskill Hotel Set to Reopen in 2026 with New Ballroom, Bars, and Retail Space

Pixiu Investments, Woodbine Development, and Hyatt Hotels Corporation plan to renovate and restore the iconic Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas. The transformation will include 175 guestrooms, a new ballroom, cocktail bar, and retail space. The first phase, set to debut in Fall 2025, will focus on the Driskill Bar, Driskill Grill, and 110 Tower Guestrooms. The second phase, scheduled for completion in Summer 2026, will include the hotel lobby, grand staircase, and original guestroom tower.

Austin, Texas—Pixiu Investments, Woodbine Development, and Hyatt Hotels Corporation have announced plans for a full renovation and restoration of the iconic Driskill Hotel, a historic landmark in Austin, Texas. The project, set to commence in Fall 2025, aims to transform the 175-guestroom hotel into a modern, luxurious destination while preserving its rich history and architectural charm.

The renovation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, scheduled to debut in Fall 2025, will focus on the Driskill Bar, Driskill Grill, and the 110 Tower Guestrooms originally built in 1929. Additionally, a new 2,800-square-foot ballroom on the Mezzanine Level and a refreshed fitness center will be introduced. The second phase, set for completion in Summer 2026, will include the hotel lobby, grand staircase, and the original guestroom tower of 74 historic rooms. A thoughtfully curated retail space named Stark & Sisters will also be unveiled during this phase [1].

The hotel's new design will be helmed by SWOON, a prolific design and branding team known for their work on projects such as The Adolphus in Dallas and The Vanderbilt in Newport, R.I. The design will draw inspiration from The Driskill's history, aiming to create a space that is celebrated by locals and revered by inbound visitors. The first-floor lobby will serve as a cultural hub, channeling Texas' rich history, while the Mezzanine Level will pay homage to Lady Bird Johnson with crown molding, vibrant greenery, and natural light [1].

The renovation also includes a new partnership between The Driskill and Austin-based MML Hospitality. MML will oversee all food and beverage operations beginning in August 2025, with several new concepts debuting within the hotel's storied walls. The Driskill Bar & The Driskill Grill will take a new direction under the stewardship of iconic New York culinary legend, Chef April Bloomfield, who will be making her Southern debut and first project under her new role with MML. The Victorian, a vibrant cocktail bar and lounge, will also be unveiled this fall [1].

The Driskill, built in 1886 by Colonel Jesse Driskill, is a landmark of Texas history and served as the first luxury hotel in the state. It will continue to operate throughout the renovation process and remains part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a collection of architectural icons that celebrate history, artistry, and ingenuity [1].

References:
[1] https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41012986.html
[2] https://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/hotels/historic-texas-icon-driskill-hotel-begins-full-renovation