Introduction to the JW Marriott Houston Downtown Expansion
The JW Marriott Houston Downtown has announced plans for a massive expansion that will add the adjacent Battelstein’s Building to the hotel’s existing footprint. This expansion is aimed at impressing guests who will be visiting Houston for the June 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Expansion Plans
The revitalized Battelstein’s Building will feature a new ground floor restaurant, additional meeting and events spaces, and a rooftop bar and lounge with a pool overlooking the downtown skyline. The hotel’s general manager, Jelle Vandenbroucke, stated that this initiative represents an exciting evolution for the JW Marriott Houston Downtown, redefining the guest experience by creating a hospitality destination that captures the energy, diversity, and sophistication of Houston.
New Additions and Renovations
When the expansion is complete, the Marriott will have a total of 384 guest rooms, including 89 suites, which is touted as the largest inventory of luxury lodging in the city’s core. The expansion also adds 10,000 square feet of meeting space, bringing the total to over 23,000 square feet. Rottet Studio designed the new space, and Los Angeles-based Cole Martinez Curtis & Associates is handling the renovation. Guests will still see plenty of the original materials used in these historic constructions as they explore the Marriott’s modern services.
History of the Battelstein’s Building
The Battelstein’s Building was built in 1924 to house the titular department store and was raised to 10 stories in 1950 by acclaimed architects Joseph Finger and George Rustay. Philip Battelstein opened his tailor and haberdashery in Houston in 1897 after arriving from Lithuania with almost no money. The store thrived through the post-war years but declined as the 1970s oil boom petered out and suburban shopping malls grew in popularity. The space was frequently vacant after 1980. Southwest Value Partners, the company that owns the hotel’s current location, acquired the building in 2022.
The Samuel F. Carter Building
The JW Marriott currently occupies another historic Houston location, the adjacent 22-story Samuel F. Carter Building at 806 Main. When Samuel Fain Carter built it in 1910, it was the tallest building in Houston. Many doubted such a towering structure could actually stand on Houston’s famously swampy ground, earning it the nickname Carter’s Folly. More than a century later, it remains Houston’s first skyscraper. The Marriott welcomed its first guests in 2014.
Conclusion
The JW Marriott Houston Downtown expansion is set to revolutionize the guest experience, offering a unique blend of history, luxury, and modern amenities. With its prime location, stunning views of the downtown skyline, and easy access to the planned Main Street Promenade, the hotel is poised to become a top destination for visitors to Houston. The expansion is expected to be completed in time for the June 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it an exciting time for the city and the hotel.
