Houston Lands 353-Key InterContinental

By Keith Loria, Contributing Editor

InterContinental Houston Medical Center, rendering

Houston—Medistar Corp. is developing the 353-key InterContinental Houston Medical Center, which has a scheduled opening for late 2018. The hotel will be owned by Medistar and managed by IHG. It will be situated adjacent to the Texas Medical Center.

“Having this new InterContinental hotel adjacent to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex, is a unique factor. IHG is enthusiastic about this location and this project,” a company spokesperson told Commercial Property Executive. “This is the first full-service luxury hotel to be developed in this immediate area in some time, and will serve a growing, global customer base that does business with and visits the TMC.”

The 21-story hotel will feature a signature InterContinental Club Lounge, 37 suites, restaurant and bar, outdoor pool and fitness center. The property will also include 11,800 square feet of meeting space, including seven meeting and board rooms and a 7,800-square-foot grand ballroom.

“As an ecosystem, the TMC really draws an international type of clientele that recognizes the global InterContinental brand,” the spokesperson said. “IHG is very excited about working with Medistar on this project, who understands the global nature of our brand. We are really appreciative of Medistar’s long-term investment and commitment to the InterContinental Houston Medical Center.”

According to the IHG representative, hotel guests will enjoy easy, walkable access to the medical complex’s 21 renowned hospitals, 14 support organizations, 10 academic institutions, eight academic and research institutions, seven nursing programs, three public health organizations, three medical schools, two pharmacy schools, and a dental school.

IGH now has more than 180 hotels in over 60 countries in its portfolio.

“We are very enthused about working with our partners at Medistar Corp. to bring the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand to Houston and the Texas Medical Center, which serves patients and visitors from all around the world,” Joel Eisemann, IHG’s chief development officer for the Americas, said in a prepared release. “We appreciate (Medistar Corporation founder & CEO) Monzer Hourani’s vision for and commitment to this outstanding project.”