AUSTIN, TEXAS — June 28, 2022 — Origin Hotel Austin is thrilled to announce it opened on Friday, June 24, marking the first property to debut in Texas for the lifestyle-focused boutique brand. Situated at 1825 McBee Street at the heart of Mueller’s vibrant activity hub, Aldrich Street, the new five-story, 120-room property will serve as a connector of experiences, offering well-appointed rooms and suites, thoughtful amenities and a new all-day eatery, Blue Lacy, opening Monday, June 27, to delight visitors and locals alike. With a mission to cultivate guest discovery of the surrounding area, encourage well-being and foster authentic connections, Origin Austin seeks to become the front door to one of the best backyards. Origin’s hotel operations are managed by Charlestowne Hotels, a leading hospitality management company boasting a portfolio of boutique and independent lifestyle hotels and food and beverage establishments across the country.
“There are few places that celebrate individuality like Austin. We knew Origin Hotel would be a natural fit in this dynamic destination and especially at the heart of Mueller’s town center,” said Joe Thrash, partner at The Thrash Group. “The quality of product Catellus has achieved with Mueller is simply staggering; it’s become a case study for creating a real urban environment. We are thrilled to be part of it and serve guests as the new neighborhood hotel.”
Steps away from an array of restaurants, entertainment, parks and green spaces, and local attractions in the award-winning community of Mueller, Origin Austin features 116 guest rooms and four suites that embrace modern design and an intuitive guest experience, including the Capitol Suite with a private terrace and a picturesque skyline view of downtown Austin. Pet-friendly accommodations and specialty room types, like the bunk bed suites with capacity to sleep up to six people, cater to all traveler types. Guests will feel right at home with amenities like a spacious gym with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a welcoming and social lobby, outdoor gathering spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, valet parking, a welcome treat from Austin’s hometown candy store Lammes Candies, and more. Unique add-ons cater to a variety of travelers, from gear like Mind Collective yoga mats and Peloton bikes delivered to rooms for the fitness-focused to Pup Packages for those traveling with dogs to Kids’ Adventure Kits complete with a tent and sleeping bag for an imaginative “camping” experience.
Origin Hotel Austin will also bring a new food and drink destination to Austin, Blue Lacy, named after the working dog breed that originated in Texas, opening Monday, June 27. The casual, all-day eatery offers a 121-seat modern, diner-inspired layout and a breezy courtyard spilling onto the Aldrich Street paseo. With dishes and bites suitable for any time of day, the menu features a fresh take on yesterday’s greatest hits. Remixed food favorites include starters like chicken ‘n waffle kabobs and avocado toast bruschetta and heartier fare like the classic diner burger and not-so-chicken-fried rib eye. Brunch lovers will enjoy twists like the breakfast Monte Cristo sandwich, smoked salmon bagel or the hippy cowboy hash, made with duck fat potato confit, heritage-breed pork chorizo, bell peppers, onions, avocado and a sunny-side up egg, and topped with avocado crema. Beverages fit for morning or night, from Cuvee Coffee and a house Bloody Mary to signature drinks like the Easy Like an Austin Morning or frozen Watermelon Sugar High, plus sweets like Texas pecan pie and shakes round out the menu. Four-legged friends will enjoy dedicated “For the Dogs” selections, complete with Bowser Beer and doggie ice cream.
Origin Hotel Austin and Blue Lacy were designed by Lake|Flato and Lusk Architecture, while Flick Mars provided the interior architecture design and Studio Balcones designed the courtyard. Origin was designed to fit into its surrounding urban context, complementing the existing structures in the area. The exterior brick utilized is from local Texas plants. The use of board-formed concrete references to the adjacent Mueller Diamond building, and the use of corrugated metal wall and roof panels complements the adjacent Thinkery children’s museum. Guests and Aldrich Street pedestrians will also catch a glimpse of a new piece of public art, the “It’s So Texas” mural, an original commissioned painting by Austin-based artist Heidi Pitre, interpreted as a large-scale spray paint mural by local artist Brittany Johnson, featured prominently in the courtyard.
Rooted in its core pillars of venturing out, balancing a healthy lifestyle and connecting with others, Origin Austin seeks to put guests in the middle of all things to “go and do” in Central Texas. The hotel is situated 10 minutes from Downtown Austin, 15 minutes from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and minutes away from major highways like I-35, for convenient transit for travelers of all types.
For more information about Origin Hotel Austin and Blue Lacy, visit originhotelaustin.com and bluelacyaustin.com.
