South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, the largest full-service waterside resort hotel and conference center in Southeast Texas, announced Friday a major multi-million dollar renovation, themed “A new look. A new experience.” that will energize the iconic hotel with a compelling, contemporary design and enhanced guest experiences.
Highlights of the major construction update and design refresh include a chic marina-side pool and deck, a re-appointed restaurant that features local flavors, 238 freshly designed guest rooms and two multi-level penthouses, new welcoming exterior appointments and a lobby bar with panoramic views of the water, as well as a new upgraded air conditioning system and LED energy-efficient lighting. The resort hotel and 25,000 square-foot conference center will remain open during the staged renovation, which is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2016.
The property’s owner, American National Insurance Company, and management company, 1859 Historic Hotels, committed to the extensive renovation based on recommendations from hospitality consultant T.R. Engel Group, which is also project-managing the renovation. Dallas-based Flick-Mars, recognized this year as a top hospitality interior design firm and ranked as one of interior designs’ 2015 Rising Giants, has been tapped to reinvent the hotel’s entrance, public spaces and guest rooms. Gilbane is the general contractor.
“We fully expect the ‘new’ South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center to appeal to fly-in and drive-in midweek corporate and nonprofit groups as well as year-round leisure guests, many who may be visiting the property for the first time,” said Scott Webb, American National Insurance Company’s real estate director.
“Our ‘new look, new experience’ conversations are already capturing the attention of local, state and regional meeting planners who appreciate what 25,000 square feet of flexible conference space, a unique waterside setting and a convenient location between Houston and Galveston can mean for them and their attendees,” said Roy Green, general manager of South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center.
A new look. A new experience.
The property’s renovation theme, “A new look. A new experience.,” will begin fulfilling its promise as guests enter through a new welcoming porte cochere, soft-draped with material that pays homage to the black and white striped lighthouse within view. Outdoor lounge seating flanking the entrance will infuse a breezy resort feel that flows inside via a redesigned lobby with check-in pods. The extensive transformation continues in the lobby bar with an inviting, active communal “great room” gathering space overlooking the water.
“We found ourselves inspired by the elements in the property’s own backyard: The classical, nautical influences of the harbor and the teak woods, polished chrome and elegant detailing of the yachts,” said Matt Mars, architect and principal, Flick-Mars. “We brought these elements into the design of the space by adding new millwork to create a modern, tailored presentation.”
New furniture, window treatments and a cosmetic facelift in the restaurant, Paradise Reef, will enhance diners’ views and overall experience during breakfast, lunch and special group events.
South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center’s 238 guest rooms and two 1,200-square-foot multi-level penthouse suites will undergo a complete upgrade with new beds, plush bedding, contemporary furnishings and finishes. Among the room appointments are a 43-inch LG television, mini-refrigerator, coffeemaker, in-room safe, comfortable seating, signature porthole wall art, new
balcony furniture, and oversized marble desks with plenty of accessible outlets for laptops and mobile devices. Guest bathrooms will include new decorative mirrors, contemporary lighting and upgraded linens and amenities. More than half of the guestrooms feature marina views and balconies.
The resort’s signature marina-side pool and deck, the largest in Houston’s Bay Area, will continue the experience outside with a complete overhaul that includes new cabanas and water features, additional seating and an event/entertainment space serving seasonal food and beverages. Landscape architect firm Landology will execute the redesign for the resort pool area. Looking onto the pool area will be a new on-premise state-of-the-art fitness center outfitted with cardio and weightlifting equipment.
“With conference planners and attendees today expecting more from their meeting and leisure experiences, South Shore Harbour’s major upgrades will reintroduce the property to major health science, energy and educational institutions statewide,” said Eugene Lucas, president of 1859 Historic Hotels.
Largest and best-located conference center in Southeast Texas
The property’s total conference space includes an 8,800 square-foot ballroom, 70-seat amphitheater training center and flexible spaces for events ranging from board meetings and staff retreats to large meetings and catered functions. Many function spaces afford the bonus feature of water views.
“The newly renovated South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center will be competitively superior because it is the only resort in Houston’s Bay Area with the combined product features and guest amenities sought by both meeting and event planners and leisure guests,” said Jim Flynn, senior managing director for T.R. Engel Group.
The complex — conveniently located near the area’s primary leisure attractions such as Space Center Houston and the Kemah Boardwalk, also with easy access to many of Houston’s most popular destinations — offers guests access to a neighboring 27-hole golf course, a 130,000 square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, tennis courts and free, ample parking.
About South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center
South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center — with 238 rooms, two 1,200 square-foot multi-level penthouse suites and 25,000 square feet of meeting space — is the largest full-service waterside resort hotel and conference center in Southeast Texas. Forty-five minutes south of Houston and adjacent to South Shore Harbour Marina, the League City complex is conveniently located near Space
Center Houston and the Kemah Boardwalk. The resort’s signature marina-side pool and deck is the largest in Houston’s Bay Area with cabanas, water features, contemporary resort seating and an event/entertainment space serving seasonal food and beverages. Resort guests have access to a neighboring 27-hole golf course, a 130,000 square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, tennis courts and free, ample parking. South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center is owned by American National Insurance Company and managed by 1859 Historic Hotels. More information at www.sshr.com.
About 1859 Historic Hotels
1859 Historic Hotels is based in Galveston, Texas, and owns and/or operates 12 hotels with a combined total of 2,700 guest rooms in Texas, Colorado, Virginia and Kentucky. The company employs approximately 2,300 people system wide. 1859 Historic Hotels, which traces its history to the 1930s, derives its name from the year its oldest property, the historic Menger Hotel, was built in San Antonio. More information at www.1859HistoricHotels.com.
About American National Insurance Company
American National Insurance Company was founded in 1905 by William L. Moody Jr. and is headquartered in Galveston, Texas. The company has multiple subsidiaries and has operations in Springfield, Missouri; Glenmont, New York; and League City, Texas. American National offers a broad variety of life insurance, retirement annuities, accident and health insurance, pension plan products and services, credit insurance, and property/casualty insurance for personal lines, agribusiness and targeted commercial exposures. American National’s mission is to be the company of choice for insurance and other financial products and services while maintaining superior financial strength. More information at AmericanNational.com.
About Flick-Mars
Flick-Mars’ creative philosophy centers around client-focused collaboration and constantly striving to create unique guest experiences by designing to a location’s indigenous surroundings. Flick-Mars creates an individual environment for each client and locale. Flick-Mars’ boutique size and business philosophy ensures impactful design with the benefit of senior member attention. Design is envisioned in a collaborative environment, documented accurately, and tracked properly to meet aesthetic, schedule and budget goals. More information at flickmars.com.
About T.R. Engel Group
T.R. ENGEL Group, directed by industry leader Tom Engel, is a Boston-based, entrepreneurial hotel advisory and asset management firm that’s actively engaged as hotel advisors and asset managers across three continents, working on the toughest and most sophisticated of client lodging assignments.
More information at www.trengelgroup.com.