Le Méridien Fort Worth, downtown’s newest hotel, will be opening Aug. 29. The 14-story, 188-room hotel blends the brand’s French roots with a modern Texas flair.
Located at 811 Commerce St., is within walking distance of the Fort Worth Convention Center, Sundance Square and Fort Worth Central Station. The building was formerly an annex of Hotel Texas, now the Hilton Fort Worth.
The first five floors were built in 1928 and were used as a garage for early automobile owners. The remainder of the building was added in the 1960s. The second through fifth floors will be used as a garage for Le Méridien’s valet-only parking service.
A Marriott brand, there are 120 Le Méridien hotels across the globe, including one in Dallas. The Fort Worth location is managed by Remington Hospitality. Redevelopment of the property was led by Blueprint Hospitality, and it was designed by Dallas-based firm Premier.
Pricing is around $200 per night, but changes based on availability and type of room. Chase Chasteen, the hotel’s general manager, said he hopes top-notch service will differentiate from other Fort Worth lodgings. “Guests are very discerning whenever they’re searching for places to stay, as they should be, and we’re really dedicated to earning that business,” Chasteen said.
Le Méridien has about 60 staff members. Trinity Metro’s new , which will run between the Stockyards and downtown when it opens in September, will stop right outside Le Méridien. The hotel is one addition to a part of downtown ripe with development.
Luxury apartment tower opened across the street in July, and are well underway. The new is under construction a few blocks away on Commerce Street. Chasteen has worked in the hotel industry for 17 years, first as a bellman while he was attending the University of Texas at Austin.
Born and raised in Fort Worth, he said he is excited to share his hometown with visitors. “We really incorporate a lot of some of the amazing things that Fort Worth has to offer in the community,” Chasteen said. Mid-century modern design elements can be found throughout Le Méridien, from guest rooms to amenity spaces.
Wood paneling and inviting furnishings warm up the building’s Brutalist architecture. Decor and details throughout the hotel, like custom Chisholm Trail-inspired wallpaper, offer subtle nods to Fort Worth history. “It’s very visually appealing and draws you in, and seems like there’s something intriguing at every glance that you take,” Chasteen said.
Technology throughout the hotel aims to make working out, using meeting spaces or even getting around the building seamless. To call the elevator, guests use a touchscreen activated by their key card instead of a button. Le Méridien has an all-day restaurant, Bouvier Brasserie, and a rooftop bar and lounge called Annex.
Illy coffee is served at all venues and offered in guest rooms. Design details can shift Bouvier Brasserie’s bar from day to night service. Liquor cabinets fold open to display a black marble backsplash, covering the bar’s white backsplash and coffee cups used during the day.
Chasteen said the restaurant is planning to take reservations via OpenTable. With its wall of windows and rooftop patio, Annex offers stunning views of Fort Worth no matter the weather. The cozy lounge will feature live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Chasteen said the food and beverage program will share Texas and French flavors with guests. Other amenities include a fitness center overlooking downtown, the sixth floor’s outdoor pool and a library which guests can reserve. Le Méridien also has extensive meeting space.
There are two large conference rooms and a boardroom, all named after iconic Fort Worth locales like Sundance Square. The meeting space has its own lounge, pre-meeting space and restrooms to minimize interruptions from other guests. Chasteen said every guestroom has at least a partial view of downtown.
Finishings in each room tie into the building’s mid-century decor, like wood paneling and unique light fixtures. Large tiled bathrooms feature lighted mirrors. Though there’s a little over a week to go until Le Méridien welcomes its first guests, Chasteen said bookings for September are already strong.
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