Aloft Dallas Downtown debuts as company’s first re-use project

Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ super-hip Aloft brand has just unveiled its very first re-use project in the heart of downtown Dallas, situated in an 8-story historic railroad freight depot terminal that was once the heart of the city’s commercial district. The property boasts 193 spacious, loft-like rooms, accessible technology and a hip, social atmosphere.

The hotel’s sleek, new urban design elements complement the building’s antique instinct and structure, including exposed brick throughout, large windows, pillars and high ceilings. Blending seamlessly into its loft-like, historic setting, this singular, contemporary hotel is owned by a joint venture between Hamilton Properties Corp. and Sava Holdings, Ltd., both Dallas-based development companies.

The transformation of the original train depot into Aloft Dallas Downtown was completed over a three-year period under the direction of the architecture and design team at One Group Design, LP. Following the brand’s initial debut in Montreal in 2008, Aloft has since opened 30 hotels spanning 3 countries. Starwood plans to further the brand’s development through adaptive, re-use projects like Aloft Dallas Downtown.

“In today’s challenging economic environment, adaptive re-use projects like the Aloft Dallas Downtown can offer developers significant advantages and provide great benefits to communities in search of urban renewal opportunities,” said Simon Turner, president of Global Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Through the redevelopment of historic or older structures, developers can gain access to prime real estate to create an innovative and historically meaningful hotel, while benefiting from unique zoning opportunities and public subsidies. We see great opportunities to use this approach in many cities throughout the world.”

“While all of Starwood’s nine lifestyle brands are candidates for adaptive re-use projects, Aloft is particularly well-suited based on its urban design aesthetic and appeal to savvy travelers,” said Brian McGuinness, senior vice president of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “In this case, an 85-year-old railroad depot was successfully transfigured into a modern, hip hotel by incorporating the loft-like design scheme, high ceilings, open floor plans and large windows that are characteristic of Aloft.”

“The designer did a fabulous job marrying the old building with the new,” said general manager Al Hunter. “We essentially dropped a new, ultra-modern building inside the bones of a warehouse that is on the historic register. This concept preserves the history of Dallas and showcases all the Aloft brand’s modern amenities.”

Aloft Dallas Downtown is pursuing LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) specifically for the utilization of natural materials like cork and sustainable wood veneers, and in-shower product dispensers replace non-biodegradable bottles to reduce landfill waste. In addition, nearly 75 percent of the demolition debris was reused below ground in the lower-level meeting and ballroom spaces.

For more information, visit www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/hotels.