Charlestowne Hotels is adding four properties to its Origin Hotel portfolio in Austin, Texas; Atlanta; Baton Rouge, La.; and Kansas City, Mo. The four new hotels join Origin Red Rocks (Colo.), Origin Westminster (Colo.) and Origin Lexington (Ky.), which Charlestowne began overseeing within the past two years as part of its deal with real estate development company Thrash Group.
Jack Geraci, EVP of operations for Charlestowne Hotels, told Hotel Management that working with Thrash Group has been “a privilege” for the Charlestowne team. “Thrash strategically identifies regions with gaps that could be filled with a boutique brand like Origin, and we draw on our experience of integrating local culture into a hotel stay to offer guests a curated glimpse into the best of a destination,” Geraci said. “By the end of 2023, Thrash and Charlestowne will have collaborated on seven Origin hotels, including the newly opened Origin Austin ... It’s exciting to think about the endless possibilities the future holds for this partnership.”
“One of the biggest hospitality trends we’ve seen evolve over the years is the increased desire for hotels in emerging destinations that serve as a gateway to the cities they’re in,” Kyle Hughey, CEO of Charlestowne Hotels, said in a statement. “The continuation of our partnership with Thrash Group allows each of us to do what we do best: Thrash leads the charge on ideating and developing Origin Hotels in dynamic markets, while we create locally driven tourism and culinary experiences that meet the surging demand for immersive travel. We’ve received an incredible response to the three existing Origin properties, which has only deepened our desire to bring the Origin brand to four new destinations.”
“Origin Hotels are designed to amplify the spirit of their home cities, and no management company understands the distinctive needs of these markets and communities better than Charlestowne Hotels,” Thrash founding partner Ike Thrash added. “Our hotels in Red Rocks, Westminster and Lexington have been successful thanks to Charlestowne’s individualized approach to operations, creative marketing, tech innovation, and revenue management. We’re looking forward to continuing this partnership and working with Charlestowne as we expand into Atlanta, Kansas City, Baton Rouge, and Austin.”
Charlestowne Hotels’ deal with Thrash Group added 10 properties to Charlestowne’s portfolio in 2020, expanding the management company’s national footprint to more than 50 hotels across 26 states.
New Additions
Origin Austin is both Origin and Charlestowne’s first property in Texas. The five-story hotel, which opened in late June, has 120 guestrooms and suites as well as a casual diner-style restaurant, Blue Lacy.
The 91-room Origin Baton Rouge is slated to open in spring 2023 in a building that dates back to 1956. The hotel is close to the State Capitol Building, Louisiana State University and the Mississippi River.
Adapted from a former office building, the 123-room Origin Atlanta is set to open in summer 2023. It will have a six-story atrium (for which the Charlestowne team is planning the company’s largest interior art project to date) as well as a restaurant with glass-enclosed, mezzanine level and private dining. The hotel is close to state and local government complexes and Georgia State University.
The 118-room Origin Kansas City is projected to open in winter 2023. It will have a Kansas City Streetcar stop, a restaurant/bar and an outdoor beer garden, which Charlestowne is developing in partnership with city board officials. Origin Kansas City will be adjacent to the first women’s professional soccer stadium, currently in development.
The two companies plan to continue the expansion of the Origin brand across the country, with additional hotel openings to be announced.