Fairmont Austin, A Hotel On A Park

-New Hotel's Architecture, Interiors and Landscape to Honor Historic Gathering Place, Palm Park-

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Aug 03, 2016, 04:01 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairmont Austin, the new 37-story luxury hotel opening summer 2017, has unveiled natural design elements that will pay homage to the neighboring Palm Park, currently undergoing revitalization by the non-profit Waller Creek Conservancy. Once representing an important common ground between east Austin and downtown, Palm Park will be restored as a leafy, shady respite at the water's edge, a gathering place that serves the hotel, Convention Center and surrounding neighborhoods.

"We are excited to welcome Fairmont Austin to the Waller Creek district," said Peter Mullan, Waller Creek Conservancy CEO. "This beautiful hotel, connected to nature and the creek at Palm Park, is transforming the district into a vibrant, urban environment."

Fairmont Austin's proximity to both Palm Park and Waller Creek inspired Warren Sheets, of San Francisco-based interior design firm Warren Sheets Design, to create an organic continuity from the hotel's environment to the spaces within, realizing the 'hotel on a park' concept in a multitude of spectacular and unexpected ways. "On a broader scope, I was looking at how important outdoor life is to Austinites and to the state itself," said Sheets. "Because the hotel is on a park, I brought the park into the hotel. All the interior elements down to the smallest details weave a cohesive narrative that honors this beautiful city and will serve to welcome guests with trademark hospitality."

Upon entering, guests are greeted by two 24 feet high by 26 feet wide towering Heritage Oak trees which flank the reception desk; while the Park Lounge features a geometric, life-size topiary garden with majestically imposing tree, and moving lights aimed at the ceiling. Indigenous greenery and cultural references also appear throughout the hotel's interior.

Fairmont Austin's outdoor spaces were designed by dwg., an Austin-based landscape architecture studio. dwg. was selected to ensure a seamless integration of Waller Creek's vision with Fairmont's environmentally sustainable standards.

"Our design for the landscape celebrates and embraces the unique location and proximity of the hotel to Waller Creek and Palm Park. The tagline we used for the project was a 'hotel in a park' and, subsequently the rooftop pool, gardens and event spaces became known as 'a park in a hotel'. The vision for the landscape is very innovative and amplifies the unique and critical ecosystem of Waller Creek," said Daniel Woodroffe, president of dwg. "This is accomplished by using native and adapted plants and trees and significantly reducing water consumption by harvesting the AC condensate from the hotel's air conditioning system. Ensuring the brand standards of the hotel and the commitment to sustainability was very important to the success of our design."

The Red River Canopy Walk, a 33-foot-tall elevated connection from Fairmont Austin to the Austin Convention Center, will allow the public and guests to view Waller Creek and Palm Park from a unique aerial perspective. The pedestrian bridge will include a stairway and ramp leading to Palm Park and three miles of new hike and bike trails. The elegant, open-air design of the Canopy Walk will reinforce Waller Creek's mission of renewing urban parks to create authentic and uplifting experiences that reflect Austin's dynamic spirit.

"Fairmont Austin is devoted to honoring public treasures like Palm Park and Waller Creek, while contributing in meaningful ways to the city's future," said Michael McMahon, director of sales and marketing for Fairmont Austin. "The revival of Palm Park, the transformation of neighboring Red River and Rainey Street Districts, coupled with the hotel's distinct interior and exterior design will be nothing short of spectacular."

Fairmont Austin is currently progressing at a floor-a-week pace and will open summer 2017.

About Fairmont Austin
At the heart of the vibrant Central Business District, Fairmont Austin is uniquely situated alongside the lush greenery of Palm Park and Waller Creek, with exclusive and direct access to the Austin Convention Center. Opening Summer 2017, the 37-story luxury hotel will feature 1,048 richly appointed guestrooms and 42 suites, including exclusive Fairmont Gold rooms and lounge, with picturesque vistas of Lady Bird Lake, the State Capitol and the dramatic cityscape. Boasting a level of service and amenities unrivaled by Austin hotels, guests will indulge in five epicurean venues, two heated swimming pools on the 7^th floor rooftop terrace; full-service salon and spa; state-of-the-art fitness center and 128,500 square feet of meeting space. The hotel's towering architectural design embraces Austin's Green Energy program, while interior elements will showcase the breathtaking Hill Country landscape and rich traditions of Austin's cultural heritage. Fairmont Austin will engage guests with the city's famed music scene as the "Live Music Capital of the World," as well as the area's celebrated cuisine and diverse artistic lifestyle. Become a fan of Fairmont Austin and follow us on Facebook. For more information, please call 800.257.7544.

About The Waller Creek Conservancy
The Waller Creek Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and community partner to the City of Austin in the revitalization of Waller Creek and the surrounding district in downtown Austin. The Conservancy is transforming and sustaining Waller Creek by creating an extraordinary series of urban park spaces that connect, surprise, inspire, and reflect Austin's diversity and dynamic spirit. Founded on the bedrock of great design, the revitalized Waller Creek will renew the natural environment, foster the creative arts, and nourish authentic and uplifting experiences. For more information, visit wallercreek.org.

About Warren Sheets Design
Warren Sheets Design (WSD) is a premier class interior design firm headquartered in San Francisco but with an international scope that encompasses projects across the United States and Europe. Established in 1992, WSD provides a comprehensive range of interior design and architectural interior services, earning a distinguished and dependable reputation for taking a client's specific requirements and raising them to a reality that exceeds expectations. The WSD team of dedicated professionals and creative artisans is equally adept at designing from conception to completion as well as for limited commissions. The WSD portfolio comprises a wide diversity of styles underscored only by impeccable taste and polish. Its countless illustrious projects include San Diego's award-winning Grand Del Mar Resort with its spa, suites, residential villas and its critically acclaimed signature restaurant, Addison; a collection of multi-million dollar vacation homes at Kootenai Estates in Montana; a luxury downtown Chicago townhome; an historic rustic lodge; an antique car salon and museum in Florida; The Grande Colonial, a historic hotel in La Jolla, CA; and The Vintage and The Eldorado Country Clubs in Indian Wells, CA. Warren and his team are currently spearheading all interior design for Fairmont Austin.

About dwg.
dwg. is a different landscape architecture firm. Our staff is dedicated to shaping urban architectural landscapes that merge urban design and architectural form with the natural environment. dwg. is passionate about exceptional design, attention to detail and collaboration. We are leaders in sustainable design solutions and low-impact development. Our design process delivers urban environments with a strong sense of place that are relevant to the communities they serve. The design experts at dwg. craft landscapes locally, nationally and internationally. We seek out projects that offer unique design opportunities and view project challenges as a chance to be creative. dwg. has the leadership, experience and expertise to provide innovative design solutions for the urban architectural landscape.

About Fairmont
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts connects guests to the very best of its destinations worldwide, providing travelers with memorable travel experiences, thoughtful and attentive service and luxury hotels that are truly unforgettable. Each Fairmont property reflects the locale's energy, culture and history through locally inspired cuisine, spirited bars and lounges and distinctive design and decor. With more than 70 hotels globally, and many more in development, the Fairmont collection boasts some of the most iconic and distinctive hotels in the world. This extraordinary collection includes The Plaza in New York, The Savoy in London, Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Dubai's Fairmont The Palm, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, Fairmont San Francisco and Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec City. Fairmont is part of AccorHotels, a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,000 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 2,600 of the finest private homes around the globe. For more information or reservations, please visit fairmont.com. Become a fan of Fairmont. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Fairmont Moments http://www.everyonesanoriginal.com/. For career information and opportunities, please visit fairmontcareers.com.