Feasibility | Pre-Development | Hotel Development

Keen Partners + OliverMcMillan, Le Méridien & W Hotels, River Oaks Mixed-Use Development

Houston, TX

Project Team

Master Developer: OliverMcMillan

Hotel Co-Developer: Keen Partners

Architect of Record: BOKA Powell

Managing Architect: Gensler

General Contractor: Bovis Lend Lease

Hotel Site A Interior Designer: AvroKO

Hotel Site B Interior Designer: Studio Arthur Casas

Located in Houston’s exclusive River Oaks neighborhood, the River Oaks District is a 15-acre, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use project developed by OliverMcMillan of San Diego. The development is centered on an outdoor plaza that features a number of upscale restaurants, a collection of luxury retailers, 300 rental apartments, and 200,000 square feet of Class A office space.

Prior to the financial crisis of 2008, the project was to also include a luxury hotel and residences and a four-star, business-oriented hotel.

Keen Partners was co-developing the two hotel sites in partnership with OliverMcMillan. Hotel Site A was designed to be Houston’s top hotel, featuring 225 rooms and 150 fully serviced residential units. The property would have been branded and operated by a leading international hotel brand and included function and meeting space, a spa and fitness center, and a signature restaurant.

Hotel Site B was planned as a four-star, 275-room property that would be operated by the same company as another of its global brands. This hotel was geared toward the business traveler and would have included considerable function and meeting space, a restaurant and lounge, fitness facilities, and a business center.

The projects were scheduled for completion in 2012, however after the financial crisis the hotel components were dropped from the plan.

As Design and Development Director with Keen Partners, Mr. Mitchem focused on feasibility and predevelopment work on the two hotels and the branded residential property until they were canceled.