Houston Suburb’s Ambitious New Boardwalk Lands a Showcase Hotel

It’s been less than a month since the master plans were revealed for the much-hyped, long-awaited Katy Boardwalk District, and a major new detail has just emerged.

The showcase hotel at the multi-million, 169-acre project — which includes new restaurants, shops, luxury apartments and a sweeping 90-acre, walkable nature preserve centered around a lake — will be a Hyatt Regency.

Its full name will be the Hyatt Regency Katy Boardwalk Hotel & Conference Center. Construction on the hotel may begin later this year, with the opening date slated for fall 2021.

A formal announcement from the Katy Development Authority is expected in the next several weeks. The new Boardwalk District will be located near Katy Mills Mall.

The cost of the conference center, hotel and parking is a proposed $98 million. The hotel is set to have a minimum of 300 rooms, a specialty restaurant, pool, bar and fitness center. The 43,000-square-foot conference center will feature meeting spaces and a grand ballroom, and the parking lot will have at least 400 spaces.

The rest of the development, including 155,000 square feet of retail space, three to five waterfront restaurants and 60,000 square feet of office space, all designed by Gensler, should be completed and open in the next three to five years.

It’s set to be a serious attraction for potential tourists and locals alike, with tons of green space and two miles of pedestrian-friendly walking paths and wooden boardwalks.

It’s a whole new Boardwalk that now has its anchor hotel.