The Driskill Ushers in a New Era Ahead of 140th Anniversary
A full-scale renovation is underway at Austin’s legendary Driskill Hotel, blending Southern heritage with modern luxury ahead of its 140th anniversary.
Photo: Courtesy of The Driskill
Austin’s most storied hotel is getting a long-overdue refresh—one that’s as strategically timed as it is architecturally ambitious. The Driskill, the 1886 landmark and crown jewel of Texas hospitality, has officially begun a phased top-to-bottom renovation, with completion slated for summer 2026, just in time for its 140th anniversary.
Under the stewardship of Pixiu Investments, Woodbine Development, and Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, the multi-year project is a full-circle moment for one of the South’s most iconic addresses. Once a magnet for cattle barons, presidents, and politicos—Lyndon B. Johnson famously took Lady Bird on their first date here—the Romanesque Revival property is getting refreshed rooms and all-new culinary offerings, all rooted in Austin’s creative pulse.
The transformation is being led by Dallas-based Swoon, the Studio, whose portfolio includes The Adolphus and Emeline. Their approach here is purposefully non-faddish: warm, enduring, and grounded in local lore. On the Mezzanine Level, public spaces will channel Lady Bird Johnson’s love of natural light and Texas flora, while custom headboards from Fort Lonesome and earth-toned palettes bring a modern yet distinctly Austin sensibility to the guest rooms.
Phase one, which is set to debut this fall, includes 110 tower guestrooms from the 1929 annex, a new 2,800-square-foot ballroom, and three food-and-beverage concepts in partnership with local powerhouse MML Hospitality. Among them is a newly imagined Driskill Bar & Grill, overseen by James Beard Award-winner April Bloomfield, and The Victorian, a cocktail lounge that anchors the corner of Sixth and Brazos. A refreshed 1886 Café & Bakery will round out the offerings.
For advisors, the relaunch is an opportunity to reintroduce clients to a property that blends historical weight with a fresh cultural point of view. Plus, with all hotel operations continuing during the renovation, The Driskill remains a viable booking for fall travel and beyond.
Phase two will encompass the lobby, grand staircase, and original 74-room historic tower, culminating in the debut of Stark & Sisters, a new retail concept named after the founding family. Expect the final reveal in summer 2026—an apt celebration for a hotel that has, quite literally, shaped Texas history.
