Former hotel converted into affordable apartment complex in North Austin

The former hotel was one of a "handful of distressed or vacant properties" purchased by SHIR Capital in 2020, said Pfluger Architects principal Erik Leitner in an email to Community Impact.

"The hotel industry was faltering and many buildings were left vacant or in foreclosure," Leitner said. "These buildings are in prime locations in the heart of the city, where much-needed workforce and student housing are in high demand, and affordable housing options were previously limited."

The conversion and redesign of a hotel like this is less expensive and time-restrictive compared to other adaptive reuse projects, Leitner said.

"The advantages of renovating old buildings like this one include lower costs than building comparable new structures, similar zoning and permitting process with the city, and quicker construction timelines, helping to alleviate the city’s affordable housing shortage," Leitner said.

Also of note

According to Leitner, the firms completed similar projects at Alma Apartments in 2023 and Hedge Apartments in 2024.

Alma features 175 pet-friendly studio and one-bedroom units with rent under $1,000 per month, and Hedge features 375 pet-friendly studio, one- and two-bedroom units with rent under $1,110 per month.

Both complexes are located in North Austin and were former hotels.