Austin, Texas – September 20, 2021 – New Waterloo, an independent hospitality development, design, and management company, is announcing its latest project, Albert Hotel. Located at 242 East Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas, Albert Hotel is a historic preservation effort with four late 19th century buildings and a newly constructed hotel with event, spa, and restaurant space. Slated to open in late summer 2022, Albert Hotel is named for architect, historic preservationist, and general man-about-town Albert Kiedel, who left quite an impression on the city of Fredericksburg. Albert’s great-grandfather Dr. Wilhelm Keidel came to Fredericksburg as the town doctor and judge in 1847, the year after the town was founded. His father, Victor Keidel, was a doctor and pharmacist beloved by the community, famous for riding his palomino at the head of the centennial parade. The hotel is located on the site where the Keidel family pharmacy and homestead remain, both of which will be integrated into the new site plan.
Albert Keidel created a style that went beyond aesthetics, imparting a language to the homes and civic buildings of Fredericksburg with a look, touch, feel, and smell embedded in a sense of place. Fredericksburg, “the heart of the Hill Country,” is a historic German settlement located 75 miles from both Austin and San Antonio. It is the best-preserved historic town in the Texas Hill Country, known for its wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, antique shopping, and the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The area embraces and preserves the history of early settlers and is now the second-largest wine destination in the United States after Napa Valley.
“New Waterloo worked with the Keidel family to execute a vision that transforms their original family homestead into a one-of-a-kind hospitality destination. The historical significance, beauty, and character of the existing buildings, along with their location in the golden blocks of town, capture the soul of the Hill Country,” said Chief Development Officer & Partner Patrick Jeffers.
Albert Hotel is located on a two-acre site, spanning 242 to 248 East Main Street with a dedicated, two-level 160 space parking garage located directly across East Austin Street. The hotel itself is tucked away behind the original historic buildings, creating a peaceful escape with quiet sophistication just off bustling Main Street. The hotel will have 110 guest rooms, including bunkrooms, suites, and a private house, each with tailored amenities and custom-designed furniture. The property has three restaurants, two bars, a private dining room, and will offer in-room dining. The grounds include an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a 2,000 square-foot full-service spa. The property is ideal for hosting events, with a 3,600 square-foot event space and a 1,200 square-foot mezzanine deck and event lawn.
Designed by Clayton Korte, in partnership with New Waterloo, the property will integrate new construction with the four original historic structures. The new construction uses wood, limestone brick, stone, and steel to create a natural palette for its more contemporary form, which is designed to be both differentiated and compatible with the original buildings. The landscape architecture by Word & Carr incorporates native Texas grasses and trees, such as live oaks and mesquites, along with reclaimed and repurposed materials from the site to create meandering gardens and pathways throughout the property.
“The hotel environment is a push-pull of masculine and feminine, historic and new. The architecture of Albert Hotel nods to Fredericksburg’s future, while the interior design reflects the softer side of Albert’s global sensibilities. Material-driven, layered, and eclectic, the design is warm and unfussy, with unexpected discoveries throughout,’’ said Director of Design Melanie Raines.
Albert Hotel is the latest addition to the diverse New Waterloo portfolio, which includes Austin’s Hotel Ella, South Congress Hotel, Santa Fe’s El Rey Court, and Austin restaurants La Condesa, Il Brutto, Central Standard, Mañana, Otoko, Café No Se, Sway, and Butler Pitch & Putt.
For more information on Albert Hotel, please visit Alberthotel.com. Follow Albert Hotel on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @Albert_Hotel_TX. For more information on New Waterloo, please visit newwaterloo.com and follow @newwaterloo on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
