ATLANTA and SAN ANTONIO (Nov. 15, 2024)– Peachtree Group ("Peachtree") celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 171-room studio-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in downtown San Antonio,Texas, near the Riverwalk, set to open in the second quarter of 2026. This development brings an upscale, extended-stay option to the vibrant San Antonio market, offering visitors a combination of comfort, modern amenities and prime access to local attractions.
The new Residence Inn will succeed an older-generation property downtown, taking advantage of a premier location near strong demand drivers, including the leisure appeal of the Riverwalk, educational activity from the expanding University of Texas at San Antonio and corporate and government demand from surrounding office buildings. With this positioning, the hotel aims to meet a range of accommodation needs in San Antonio's dynamic market.
"San Antonio is a unique market with a growing need for extended-stay hotels," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree. "The Residence Inn will cater to the diverse demand drivers of San Antonio, including its thriving tourism sector and extensive corporate presence. Positioned within easy reach of the city's popular attractions, restaurants and business hubs, this hotel will provide guests with a prime location for both work and leisure."
Strategically located within a Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ), this project under scores Peachtree's commitment to fostering revitalization and growth in underserved communities. The firm has been one of the more active hotel developers in QOZs, having already opened nine hotels, with another five under construction, including the new Residence Inn, in these designated areas.
“By building within a QOZ, Peachtree's Residence Inn will create lasting economic impacts, from job creation in construction and operations to sparking further interest in nearby retail, dining and entertainment—vital elements for a thriving downtown community," Friedman said. “We are optimistic that Washington, D.C., will recognize the QOZ's impact on job creation and economic activity within these zones and will extend the program, enabling us and other developers to deliver new commercial real estate projects across the U.S.”
Merritt Development Group, an Austin, Texas-based hotel development company, will be responsible for constructing the Residence Inn, which will feature a modern design focused on spacious, home-like amenities, including fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas and workspaces in each suite, accommodating the evolving needs of today's extended-stay travelers and enhancing the hotel’s appeal to business professionals, families and long-term guests seeking comfort and convenience.
An expansive onsite fitness center and outdoor gathering space will further elevate the guest experience, offering a place for relaxation and wellness in a bustling city environment. Additionally, the hotel will provide flexible meeting space to cater to the needs of business guests, making it an attractive venue for corporate gatherings and social events. The hotel will feature a Caribou Coffee, providing an upscale coffee experience for both hotel guests and locals.
"The new Residence Inn will provide guests with a dynamic extended-stay experience uniquely suited to San Antonio's market," Friedman added."Peachtree's commitment to thoughtful development is evident in every aspect of this property, from its modern amenities to its prime location, ensuring it will be a valued addition to the city."
This development marks another milestone for Peachtree in Texas as the firm continues to expand its footprint in key markets nationwide. In October, Peachtree celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 19-story, dual-branded hotel development featuring Marriott brands AC Hotel and Moxy Hotel in Uptown Dallas, Texas. The hotel development will bring 264 upscale rooms, modern amenities and unique lifestyle offerings to the bustling McKinney Avenue corridor. The much-anticipated project promises to elevate the city's hospitality scene and is expected to open in summer 2026. In addition to these two projects, Peachtree currently has nine projects under construction across the U.S., including five in QOZs.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is avertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.
Our VP of Investments, Will Woodworth, was featured in Hotel Investment Today, discussing the important role Opportunity Zones (OZs) are playing in today’s hotel development landscape.
“It became a critical vehicle to be able to develop, period. Your investor base may have a slightly different motivation. So, their return expectations may be slightly lower. That takes that pressure off of the cost that’s going into the project to be able to get it done.” — Will Woodworth
At Peachtree Group, we recognize the transformative impact OZs can have, not just on hotel projects, but on the communities they help revitalize. As interest rates and construction costs remain challenging, OZs offer a path forward by aligning investor goals with long-term value creation.
"Five years ago, the land now labeled as 905 Seventh St. in Sacramento, California, was nothing more than a parking lot for light rail commuters. Today, it's home to the city's newest major hotel.
The AC Hotel Sacramento opened in March 2024 after its construction began in January 2022. Downtown Sacramento has been in desperate need of more hotel rooms, and the AC Hotel's arrival helped fill that demand, economic leaders in California's capital city said.
The hotel sits in an opportunity zone, which is land that developers are given extra tax incentives from the federal government to revitalize."
In the latest episode of Peachtree Point of View, CEO Greg Friedman interviews Will Woodworth, VP of Investments, revealing valuable market intelligence for hotel investors considering development opportunities in today's landscape.
Market Fundamentals Drive Success
The podcast highlights that successful hotel development hinges on identifying markets with clear supply-demand imbalances. Woodworth notes that occupancy rates above 70% typically signal development potential, while high barriers to entry can protect investments from over saturation. For investors, these fundamental indicators prove more reliable than chasing market trends.
Geographic Hotspots: Southeast and Sun Belt
The conversation identifies the Southeast and Sun Belt regions as particularly promising investment territories. These markets show strong correlation between hotel performance, GDP and gross metropolitan product (GMP), fueled by population shifts and corporate relocations. Texas and Florida stand out as investment hotbeds where both immediate and long-term lodging demand continues to grow.
Opportunity Zone Considerations
Investors exploring Opportunity Zone benefits will appreciate Woodworth's practical perspective. While tax incentives create advantages for investors with capital gains, he emphasizes that successful projects must stand on their own merits regardless of tax benefits. The podcast explores how certain downtown districts and tourist destinations qualify as Opportunity Zones despite their strong fundamentals, creating dual advantages for strategic investors.
Brand Selection Strategy
The discussion offers valuable insights into brand positioning in different markets. Investors should consider how soft-branded properties can create custom experiences reflecting local character while maintaining operational efficiency. This balanced approach allows developments to capture premium rates through distinctive ground-floor experiences while controlling costs through standardized room operations.
Market Selection Criteria
Perhaps most valuable for investors is understanding the selection process for viable markets. At Peachtree Group truly promising development opportunities represent less than 5% of potential deals we review. Investors should similarly exercise discipline, looking beyond surface growth to ensure infrastructure development, corporate presence, and tourism patterns align to support long-term hotel demand.
For investors seeking to navigate the hotel development landscape with greater confidence, this episode provides market intelligence directly applicable to investment decision-making. Tune in to the full Peachtree Point of View podcast for deeper insights into current market conditions and development opportunities.
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