By Matt Payne
Hotel Drover
Hotel Drover, a multimillion-dollar rustic resort built from the ground up with the old west in mind, now has all its support beams in place. The resort is expected to open in less than a year.
The City of Fort Worth hopes the Stockyards transform into the main jewel in the State of Texas’ crown, and one premier, luxury destination within the historic district is slated for completion in less than a year.
Hotel Drover, a multimillion-dollar rustic resort built from the ground up with the old west in mind, now has all its support beams in place. The final beam, autographed by dozens attending a “topping off” ceremony place Wednesday night, was crane-hoisted into place as guests including city officials and Mule Alley tenants applauded.
“You really don’t have this four-star, luxury experience anywhere,” says Craig Cavileer, executive vice president of Stockyards Heritage Development Co. “The Hotel Drover is super-elevated … It’s a full-service resort that just happens to feel like a Texas ranch whenever you’re down here.”
Cavileer said to expect Hotel Drover to open one year from Wednesday: Oct. 2, 2020.
By Matt Payne
Hotel Drover suites will overlook a lushly landscaped backyard and distant view of the Fort Worth skyline.
The 200-room hotel will boast a signature restaurant in 97 West, serving regional cuisine led by executive chef Jenna Kinard. In addition, an event barn and lush backyard area dappled with hundreds of lights will compliment a broad view of Fort Worth skyline.
Cavileer also teased an additional Stockyards attraction — a 1,500-seat country music hall he promised “will change the complexion of country music in Texas.” More details were said to come in four weeks.
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By Matt Payne
A miniature replica of Hotel Drover and complimentary venues spotlighted the resort's focus on a rich outdoors experience.
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By Matt Payne
Hotel Drover spearheads a public/private partnership between the City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County to revitalize Mule Alley. The project in total has a price-tag in the neighborhood of $175 million in what’s being called a “sensitively-restored destination,” including a host of culinary, creative, and entertainment tenants.
A mantra of “protect, preserve, enhance” has been the guiding light for the entire project. Cavileer says two years went into planning alone for Hotel Drover, an effort echoed by hundreds of windows replaced and around 1,700 man days to place more than a dozen different styles of brick.
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By Matt Payne
Dozens autographed the final support beam for Hotel Drover Wednesday night before it was hoisted by a crane into place.
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By Matt Payne
“I think it says, ‘This is Generation Two of Fort Worth Stockyards,’” Cavileer says. “It pays extreme reverence to the history of the stockyards. I think it establishes the brand of the Stockyards, giving old areas new life.
“We’ve done our best. I don’t think we could do much better. I think people will really be proud of it.”
