Mark Vornberg and Shelly Leibham are constructing Hotel Eleven in East Austin.[/caption]
In 2008, Mark Vornberg bought a plot of land on 11th Street in East Austin with plans to create a mixed-use building before the economy crashed and killed those plans.
But the project was revitalized when Vornberg and wife, Shelly Leibham, decided in July 2012 to build a hotel.
"This area has been blighted for years, and we wanted to help develop it and encourage good development," Leibham said. "We love the location."
After months of navigating the permitting process, gaining support from neighbors and seeking financial backing, the project was able to start construction Nov. 17.
Hotel Eleven will have 14 guest rooms, including two smaller, lower-priced units called crash pads, two larger suites and 10 standard rooms. Vornberg and Leibham said they created a variety of rooms so pricing can be more diverse, with smaller rooms going for less than $200 per night and suites averaging more than $300. There are no plans to apply for a late-night permit, mixed-beverage permit or outdoor music permit, Leibham said.
"We view it as a hybrid of a bed and breakfast and a hotel," Vornberg said. "We're smaller than a hotel but bigger than a bed and breakfast."
The couple intends to complete construction on Hotel Eleven in time for an August opening.
Mark Vornberg and Shelly Leibham are constructing Hotel Eleven in East Austin.[/caption]
In 2008, Mark Vornberg bought a plot of land on 11th Street in East Austin with plans to create a mixed-use building before the economy crashed and killed those plans.
But the project was revitalized when Vornberg and wife, Shelly Leibham, decided in July 2012 to build a hotel.
"This area has been blighted for years, and we wanted to help develop it and encourage good development," Leibham said. "We love the location."
After months of navigating the permitting process, gaining support from neighbors and seeking financial backing, the project was able to start construction Nov. 17.
Hotel Eleven will have 14 guest rooms, including two smaller, lower-priced units called crash pads, two larger suites and 10 standard rooms. Vornberg and Leibham said they created a variety of rooms so pricing can be more diverse, with smaller rooms going for less than $200 per night and suites averaging more than $300. There are no plans to apply for a late-night permit, mixed-beverage permit or outdoor music permit, Leibham said.
"We view it as a hybrid of a bed and breakfast and a hotel," Vornberg said. "We're smaller than a hotel but bigger than a bed and breakfast."
The couple intends to complete construction on Hotel Eleven in time for an August opening.
