A Houston-based company has acquired one of the city’s luxury hotel properties with plans to renovate and rebrand.
Saddlebrook Equity and Management, the family office of local businessman Leslie Doggett, has acquired the St. Regis Houston near the Uptown/Galleria district. Saddlebrook plans to rename the property The Houston Grand Hotel – River Oaks and embark on a top-to-bottom renovation effort that will include the hotel’s public spaces, culinary venues, and guest rooms.
"We are determined to curate a guest experience that is unparalleled in the city," said new owner Leslie Doggett. "Our vision is to restore the ‘familiar and grandest hotel' of Houston hospitality to her former glory, blending world-class service with family-friendly warmth and attentiveness often unique to family-owned enterprises. We will bring back the soul of the classic hotel experience."
Opened in 1982 as the Remington and later rebranded a Ritz-Carlton before becoming the St. Regis, the 232-room property at 1919 Briar Oaks Lane sits at the cross-section of River Oaks and Uptown.
The property’s renovation will be led by designer Charlotte Moss. Plans call for an expansive, reimagined lobby that will serve as the heart of the hotel as well as major upgrades to property’s meetings and events spaces designed to attract community gatherings and galas. Other improvements call for new “world-class” food and beverage concepts to serve both guests and the surrounding community and a complete redesign of all guest rooms with modern technology and luxury in mind. Renovations are expected to be complete in 2027.
Saddlebrook has contracted HEI Hotels & Resorts to assume management of the hotel. HEI is a hospitality investment and management company that operates more than 100 luxury, upper-upscale, and upscale independent and branded hotels and resorts throughout the United States.
“As one of the most experienced independent managers of Luxury Collection Hotels, we are excited to add this property to our portfolio,” said Anthony Rutledge, Managing Partner and CEO of HEI Hotels and Resorts. “Working with our renovation management affiliate, GroundLVL Project Management, we look forward to helping Mr. Doggett to bring his new vision for the hotel to life.”
Written by staff
