[Urbannizer]

Hilton University of Houston to Undergo $30.4 Million Expansion and Renovation

A $30.4 million project to expand and renovate the Hilton University of Houston, the teaching hotel for students at UH’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, has been approved by the University of Houston System Board of Regents. The project is financed through a revenue bond issued by the UH System, which will be repaid with additional revenue generated by the hotel.

Preliminary design plans include the addition of a five-story tower consisting of 71 guest rooms above the south wing, increasing the hotel’s total number of rooms to 151. Six suites on the second floor will be removed to create much-needed executive meeting space. The hotel’s existing 80 guest rooms in its north wing will be renovated, along with its lobby and public spaces. The adjacent courtyard between the north, south and west wings will also be renovated.

Hilton College is the only hospitality program in the world where students work and take classes in an internationally branded, full-service hotel – 70 percent of hotel team members are students.

Dean Reynolds is leading a committee to select the architect and contractor. Once a final decision is made, construction is expected to begin within 18 months, with projected completion of the hotel tower and renovations in late 2022 through early 2023.