Small Montrose hotel proposed near lower Westheimer

Rendering of the Montrose Hotel, a nine-room luxury boutique hotel planned at 2509 Dunlavy. Rendering of the Montrose Hotel, a nine-room luxury boutique hotel planned at 2509 Dunlavy. Photo: Courtesy Of Goodnight Hospitality Photo: Courtesy Of Goodnight Hospitality Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Small Montrose hotel proposed near lower Westheimer 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

The people behind lower Westheimer honky-tonk Goodnight Charlie's are planning a nine-room hotel in the neighborhood, which is in the midst of a development boom that's bringing more high-end restaurants and luxury retailers to this once-gritty enclave.

Goodnight Development, the real estate arm of Goodnight Hospitality, is seeking a variance from the city of Houston to build the small luxury hotel at 2509 Dunlavy, just off the northeast corner of Dunlavy and Westheimer. Room rates could range between $350 and $500 per night.

The Houston Planning Commission deferred a vote on the variance late Thursday at its bi-weekly meeting. A Planning Department staff member said the deferral would allow time for nearby residents to learn about the project. The developer said it would notify the public of its plans through letters and a sign on the property.

The proposed project, called the Montrose Hotel, is the latest in a string of new developments planned or under construction along or near lower Westheimer, generally considered the stretch of Westheimer between Shepherd and Bagby.

In a press release, developer said the hotel project will be an asset to the community.

“Houston is a diverse city full of unique neighborhoods and a celebrated culinary scene that is not reflected in the hotel options that almost exclusively serve the Downtown and Galleria area,” Peter McCarthy, a partner in Goodnight Development, said in an announcement. “We want to provide out-of-town visitors an opportunity to discover a different side of Houston with a luxury boutique hotel in Montrose — a space that highlights the unique character of our neighborhood and invites guests to explore more of what Houston has to offer.”

Seeking exception

The variance request concerns city regulations over where hotels with fewer than 75 rooms are developed in residential areas. The regulations do not take into account the type of project being proposed on Dunlavy, according to the variance request filed with the city.

“The intent of this ordinance, regulating hotel location, is to prevent residential neighborhoods from being negatively impacted by questionable activity occurring in hotels. The ordinance makes no provisions for high-end, small-unit boutique hotels adjacent to predominantly residential areas,” the request says.

The 10,000-square-foot site formerly housed a small apartment complex that was recently demolished.

Plans for the hotel include an outdoor patio, rooftop garden, and small bar and restaurant that would be exclusive to the hotel guests, the developer said in a press release. A private events space for up to 50 people is also planned.

Ian Rosenberg, a member of the planning commission, cautioned about potential parking problems as small boutique hotels have become popular in other cities. He cited the Hotel San Jose in Austin, where the bar attracts lively crowds.

If that becomes the case on Dunlavy, “where are they going to park all theses people,” Rosenberg asked during the meeting. “I think that’s more important than the hotel component.”

The developer said in the variance request that all parking would be on the site with a valet lot that would be obscured by a decorative wall covered in plants and a green roof.

Neighborhood focus

Goodnight Development has other projects in the works there. The company is constructing a two-story building on Westheimer at Kuester that will house several new food and beverage concepts from Goodnight Hospitality. They include Montrose Cheese & Wine, a small retail shop with wine, beer and cheese; Rosie Cannonball, a casual European-style restaurant centered around a wood-burning oven; and March, a 26-seat tasting menu-only restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine.

In addition to Goodnight Charlies, the group also operates Biscuit, a retail and design store at 1614 Westheimer. It also developed a park-like parking lot next to the bar that added 60 parking spots and 36 trees. It was designed and landscaped by Curtis & Windham.

Others involved in the hotel project include HR Design Dept, a Houston-based architecture studio and designer Bailey McCarthy, who describes the hotel aesthetic as “luxe mid-century with a twist.”

The project is expected to open by late 2020.

nancy.sarnoff@chron.com

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