Hilton University of Houston announced this week the completion of its $30.4 million renovation projection including the new Hilton Tower.

The hotel, which is located in the center of the campus, supports the University of Houston Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership. Founded by Conrad N. Hilton in 1969, it is the only hospitality program in the world where students work and take classes in an internationally branded, full-service hotel.

First built in 1975, the hotel underwent a $12.5-million renovation and reopened as a “new” hotel in April 2010. In March 2019, the University of Houston System Board of Regents approved a $30.4 million revenue bond to expand the hotel to include a new 70-room guest tower that will increase the total number of guest rooms to 150. This project also included a two-phase renovation of the existing 80 guest rooms in the eight-story North Tower. Construction of the new tower began in July 2021.

The four-year renovation project expanded the hotel to allow for enhanced meetings and events offerings and a more realistic learning environment for students. Designed by Houston-based firm Kirksey Architecture, the new 64,000-square-foot, eight-story tower features 70 new guest rooms with state-of-the-art amenities and views of UH’s campus and downtown Houston. The project doubled the hotel’s capacity and included a complete renovation of the hotel’s original 80 guest rooms, lobby, public spaces and courtyard.

To celebrate the opening, the university held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, February 27 that featured remarks from Leonard Gooz, global brand head Hilton Hotels & Resorts, University President Renu Khator, and Dr. Dennis Reynolds, dean of Hilton College.

The hotel’s prime location – just three miles from downtown Houston and 10 minutes from William P. Hobby Airport – gives guests quick access to the world-class restaurants, sports activities and cultural arts events that make Houston a top destination. It also is the ideal hotel and meeting place for potential students, faculty, conference attendees, UH sports fans and other visitors to the University of Houston campus.