The first and only Waldorf Astoria in the state of Texas, being developed in Fredericksburg, in the heart of wine country, is moving forward at a swift clip with recent, productive city council meetings helping pave the way for the project to meet its goals on the way to an anticipated 2028 opening.
Construction has already commenced on Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country and Waldorf Astoria Residences Texas Hill Country, being built on 106 acres and consisting of 60 guestrooms and suites, 42 branded multi-bedroom resort villas and 50 branded private residences. Beyond its attraction and appeal to travelers, domestic and abroad, the project is a catalyst for local growth, expected to create hundreds of much-needed jobs across construction and hospitality.
Full-scale civil work will begin on site within the next four weeks, and after an April 7 meeting, the City Council invited the hotel’s developers to submit an annexation request, which will grant the property access to city services and, in turn, allow the city to expand its tax base.
“We’re currently drafting the annexation petition with their guidance,” said Mark Harmon, one of the hotel’s developers. The next city council meeting will take place on May 5th.
Texas Hill Country is a region central in the state set amid rolling hills and limestone outcrops and a climate that allows for wine production. Within Texas Hill Country is Texas Wine Country and within Texas Wine Country is the city of Fredericksburg, settled by German immigrants, just over an hour from both San Antonio and Austin and considered a starting point for those visiting wineries in the region.
Fredericksburg is already the fastest-growing wine destination in the United States—a destination that many refer to as the next Napa Valley. Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country builds on that momentum by becoming an attraction for more high-end, mid-week travel, locally, countrywide and even internationally. Demand generation like this directly benefits local wineries, restaurants, shops and small business owners.
Consider Hill & Vine, a culinary destination nestled in the heart of Fredericksburg that marries Texas home-cooking with Texas wine. Jesse Barter, owner of the establishment, is also a board member of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. He spoke at the recent city council meeting and voiced his support for Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country as an economic catalyst. “The project will bring greatly needed mid-week business to the community, help the city’s growing capital needs, assist in keeping residents’ taxes lower and become a social hub of the community,” he said.
“This project is a very thoughtful, one-of-a-kind investment that supports a wide range of local businesses, farmers, vineyards, landscapers and service providers,” Harmon said. “The economic impact extends well beyond the property itself: It generates meaningful tax revenue supporting infrastructure, schools and community services without putting additional strain on current residents.”
Having the Waldorf Astoria brand attached to the project offers immediate cachet, raising the profile of the entire location. It’s also a boon for local homeowners: A project like Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country gives an immediate lift to property values because it attracts premium buyers and increases demand. “That’s an incredible benefit for homeowners and landowners,” Harmon said.
Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country carries federal 956F approval, a crucial, project-level approval granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to a designated regional center for a specific EB-5 investment project. This approval verifies a project’s compliance with job creation, business plan and financial requirements before individual investors file their own green card petitions. “Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country is a certified job creator for the community and what makes it truly special is that this will be the first Waldorf Astoria in Texas, bringing instant recognition to one of the great wine country destinations,” said Ali Jahangiri, CEO of EB-5 Lending Alliance, the project’s senior construction lender.