LOS ANGELES – July 27, 2021 – Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, today announced a strategic agreement to manage and operate Artista San Antonio with San Antonio-based developer Harris Bay, set to open in July 2023. The hotel will operate under Accor’s newest lifestyle brand, Morgans Originals. Built on the heritage of lifestyle hospitality, Morgans Originals properties provide much more than a conventional hotel experience, offering the very best in food, mixology, design and atmosphere. This news comes on the heels of Accor’s latest phase of expansion following its acquisition of sbe’s hotel brands and its planned joint venture with Ennismore, which will see the creation of one of the world’s largest and fastest growing lifestyle operators.
The 112-room hotel celebrates San Antonio’s great culture and diversity and will offer a fresh perspective on the lifestyle boutique hotel experience in the heart of the city’s Riverwalk area, bringing an elevated and refined experience for the world explorer, digital nomad, business tycoon and local resident alike. The hotel will also be host to a renowned culinary and mixology experience from Accor.
Chadi Farhat, Chief Operating Officer of sbe said, “We are very proud to work with San Antonio developer Harris Bay and its Managing Partner, Jake Harris and the terrific architects at Creo to bring Artista to San Antonio. San Antonio is re-emerging as a premier destination and has been one of the United States’ undiscovered gems of culture and diversity for too long. Rich in history, San Antonio is a 300-year-old Spanish colonial city and we are excited to celebrate that culture on the Riverwalk at Artista San Antonio.”
Jake Harris, Managing Partner of Harris Bay said, “We spent a lot of time selecting the right operator to partner with us and bring this vision to the Riverwalk in San Antonio. sbe and Accor really have been some of the pioneers of the hip modern Lifestyle Boutique hotel space and with such a strong F&B operation. We are excited to see San Antonio continue to grow in its international appeal.”
The project’s architecture is led by Kris Feldmann Creo Architects in collaboration with a soon to be revealed interior design team in keeping with the Morgans Originals aesthetics and standards in hospitality. Guestroom interiors will reflect an inspirational art-centric modern design with a nod to the Spanish colonial roots of San Antonio. The hotel will embrace a strong South and Central American flavor with work by artists whose pieces will be featured throughout the property. With an iconic location, great amenities and a serious sense of style, Artista San Antonio will engage directly with the local artist community, providing several unique offerings for guests including access to limited edition prints, custom artwork and bespoke textile and leather goods.
Over 2,500 square feet of event and meeting space will be available for private parties, events, gatherings and meetings. Artista San Antonio will bring several of the Morgan Original’s signature culinary and bar concepts to the heart of the Riverwalk, curated to wow and impress hotel guests and San Antonio cognoscenti seeking an exceptional lifestyle experience in San Antonio.
Artista San Antonio will join the recently announced Legacy Hotels & Residences in Miami that will see the growth of the Morgans Originals portfolio from three properties – Sanderson London, St Martins Lane London and Shore Club Miami, to five by 2023.
