In Fredericksburg, Texas, a new 105-suite hotel offers a modern stay steeped in history. Operated by New Waterloo, Albert Hotel is named and designed after Albert Keidel, an architect and preservationist in Fredericksburg and whose family’s history in the town dates back to 1847. The 2-acre property is itself sited behind the Keidel family home (built in 1860). On the same street is the 1888 White Elephant Saloon and the 1860 Brockmann-Kiehne House. In line with the locale’s rich local history, many of which are still present and well-preserved, Clayton Korte designed the hotel in line with this lineage and the sensibilities of its namesake.

The project includes the hotel’s three restaurants, two bars, a private dining room, outdoor pool, fitness center, event space, and a spa. Clayton Korte unites the programmating features with a cohesive material—which also demonstrates the hotel’s ties with history. Traditional wood siding, stone walls, limestone, and a custom stucco finish establish a sense of southern hospitality.

When it comes to the 105 guest rooms, the design takes after Albert Keidel’s own taste: warm, cozy, and unfussy. Bedrooms include custom-designed furniture, lots of wood, and dark blue and green walls. Decor and forms, like the light, built-in headboards, are minimal, creating peaceful places to rest.

At the core of the site, the hotel opens up into a sunken limestone pool, lined with a series of recessed arches to create shaded seating. The landscape incorporated more site-specific design, including grasses native to Texas, oak, mesquites, reclaimed and repurposed materials from the site to create walkways.