Peek inside the Commodore Perry Estate resort in Hancock

Commodore Perry Estate, a new luxury resort on a 10-acre, historic property in the Hancock neighborhood, is set to open in spring 2020. The central-city destination hotel is part of California-based Auberge Resorts Collection, which operates boutique-style luxury properties worldwide.

Designed by Dallas architect Henry Bowers Thomson, the 10,800-square-foot, Mediterranean Revival mansion at the heart of the property was built for one Edgar Howard “Commodore” Perry and his wife, Lutie, who moved into the home in 1928.

Perry, who does not appear to have been a real navy commodore, was a businessman and real estate developer who built the Commodore Perry Hotel at 802 Brazos Street (now Brazos Place condominiums) as well as the nearby Perry-Brooks office tower, developed the Highland Park West subdivision in northwest Austin, and was a partner in the Stephen F. Austin hotel downtown.

Waller Creek runs through the verdant grounds, which eventually saw the construction of a chapel and other buildings, as well as numerous weddings, other events, and film shoots. Several schools were located in various buildings there through the years, most recently the Griffin School and Sri Atmananda Memorial. The site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The chapel remains on the grounds, which retain the familiar stone wall that surrounded the estate. Across the street is a thatch of trees bordering Hancock Golf Course, a municipal facility that adds to the forested atmosphere.

The hotel will have 42 guest rooms and 12 suites. The resort’s amenities also include an organic urban farm, a members club, a swimming pool, and signature restaurant Lutie’s.

Courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection

Courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection

California- based Moule and Polyzoides and Austin firm Clayton and Little were architects on the restoration and expansion, and locally based Ten Eyck Landscape Architects designed the new grounds.

San Francisco designer Ken Fulk brought an eclectic, slightly whimsical flavor to the hotel interiors, which will feature regional flair from his trips to famed antiques mecca Round Top, Texas, for furniture, fabrics, and vintage lamps.

Courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection

Courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection

Courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection

The Commodore Perry Estate was envisioned by Clark Lyda, longtime local developer, former Georgetown City Council member, and filmmaker, who was a high school student at St. Mary’s Academy on the property. Lyda developed the estate in collaboration with the Marchbanks Company, which partners with Austin’s Bunkhouse Group on hospitality assets such as Hotel St. Cecilia, Hotel San Jose, and 3815 Montrose in Houston. Lyda, along with Austin Pfiester and Turnbridge Equities, is also developing the mixed-use Music Lane complex on South Congress Avenue.