Land clearing is underway on the $42 million waterfront hotel and conference center, adjacent to Lakeside Park in Marble Falls.
The project, near the shoreline of Lake Marble Falls, will feature 127 upscale Hilton hotel rooms and more than 14,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a main ballroom and junior ballroom.
PHG’s ownership partner is McAllen-based Castle Hospitality, who have teamed up on the project. That entity will own and operate the property. The Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation will have a role in infrastructure provisions for the project. Officials confirmed that the EDC has already paid for or will pay for infrastructure upgrades to and around the site. Examples include gas line relocations, water and wastewater line improvements, sidewalk improvements, the primary electrical extension to the project and the repaving of Main Street adjacent to the site.
The project was set in motion in 2013 by the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation brokering a private- public partnership at the outset.
The EDC board of directors recently tapped a contractor to observe the project, dubbed the Ophelia Hotel and Conference Center.
The Ophelia Hotel is named in honor of Ophelia “Birdie” Harwood, who was the first female mayor of Texas elected in 1917 before women had the right to vote.
During its May 7 meeting, the EDC board hired a contractor to serve as the representative for the project and ensure construction activities at the 300 block of Buena Vista Drive.
The city’s Development Services team is responsible for code conformance as well as adherence to federal and state law.
