A new boutique hotel in downtown Fredericksburg, Texas, blends historic preservation with modern hospitality design.

The 10,637 m² (114,500 sf) Albert Hotel incorporates four historic buildings while adding 9,866 m² (106,200 sf) of new construction. The project also includes 771 m² (8,300 sf) of renovated space. Austin-based Clayton Korte designed the hotel in partnership with hospitality company New Waterloo.

The development stands on property tied to the Keidel family, whose history in Fredericksburg dates to 1847. The hotel is named after Albert Keidel, an architect and historic preservationist. The site includes the former Keidel family pharmacy and homestead.

Rather than replacing the existing streetscape, the design preserves four historic structures at the front of the property. They include the Keidel family home (1860), the Brockmann-Kiehne House (1870), the White Elephant Saloon (1888), and the Keidel Pharmacy (1906). The new hotel sits behind the historic buildings to maintain the character of the downtown district.

The hotel offers 105 guest rooms in several formats. The property also features three restaurants, two bars, a private dining room, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a sunken outdoor limestone pool. Facilities include a 334 m² (3,600 sf) event space, a 111 m² (1,200 sf) foot mezzanine deck, and an event lawn.

Traditional wood siding

The project’s exterior materials reflect the Texas Hill Country. Designers paired traditional wood siding with custom raked stucco that changes appearance as sunlight shifts throughout the day. Deep roof overhangs help shade interior spaces and outdoor walkways during the summer.

The landscape design uses native Texas grasses, live oaks, and mesquite trees. The team also reused materials recovered from the site to create gardens and pedestrian pathways.

“Designing in a historic context means embracing the layers of time—respecting the past while shaping the future,” said Paul Clayton, AIA, principal at Clayton Korte. “The Albert Hotel achieves this delicate balance.”

George Wilcox, AIA, partner at Clayton Korte, said the design team focused on honoring the Keidel family’s legacy while creating a contemporary destination.