Coming down Broadway to show into Ranch Motel, the very first thing one might discover in regards to the renovated property is that there is no such thing as a direct entrance off of the main hall. The motel is tucked neatly behind bushes and timber, its driveway truly positioned on the bottom of the constructing off of Avenue B. The one giveaway to the motel’s location from the bustling road is a big old-school, neon signal with a yellow arrow.
That’s intentional — proprietor and developer Jayson Seidman advised the San Antonio Report. Seidman, who acquired the property in 2021, has remodeled the as soon as decrepit and crumbling construction right into a vacation spot boutique lodge and leisure membership.
His imaginative and prescient for the property has been each to make sure it maintains its timeless appeal and to create an city getaway that matches seamlessly with Brackenridge Park — positioned simply behind the motel.
Over the previous couple of months, he’s opened 5 new pickleball courts for hourly leases the place the Twenties-era Kiddie Park was previously positioned, together with a courtyard full with fireplace pits and a espresso truck. He’s contemplating including a small stage.
“I felt the very last thing folks need — that is after my many years of dwelling in New York Metropolis — is automobiles all over the place,” Seidman mentioned. “Whenever you stay in New York, you wish to escape to nature. I used to be drawn to that. I like panorama design.”
Seidman, founder and CEO of actual property improvement agency Sandstone, is thought for reviving historic accommodations by remodeling them into boutique getaways. Having redeveloped accommodations in New Orleans, Marfa and Austin, Seidman mentioned probably the most distinctive a part of his idea for Ranch Motel was to maintain a few of the nostalgic points of the 1948 property. He reopened Ranch Motel in 2023 after two years of redevelopment.
“Earlier than, I instinctively considered motel as, — low cost, gross, soiled. I believe numerous us do,” Seidman mentioned. “This time I needed to lean into the motel title and make it one thing actually totally different.”
Full with a heated pool, outside bar, retail store, mezcal lounge, listening room and altering space, the motel as we speak seems to be very totally different from its former state.
Seidman advised the Report he determined he needed to save lots of the 26-room motel when he heard it was going to be razed in 2018. He started talks with the proprietor about buying it in 2019.
Whereas driving down Broadway with a few of his Boerne-based members of the family, Seidman first noticed the motel and a for-lease signal out entrance. He recollects pondering that it regarded like an awesome location for a property.
After he acquired the motel, Seidman discovered that the motel’s earlier proprietor additionally deliberate to show the neighboring property that had as soon as housed the Kiddie Park right into a automobile wash.
“I mentioned, ‘Please don’t put a automobile wash there,’ and so he mentioned, “Okay — I’ll lease it to you with a purchase order choice,’ and we figured it out from there.”
The thought for including pickleball courts and an open courtyard idea got here from Seidman’s personal love of racquet sports activities and wholesome dwelling normally. Having been an avid tennis participant rising up, Seidman jokes he was “anti-pickleball” at first. After settling down and having a household of his personal, nonetheless, he mentioned he was appreciative of the game’s low barrier for entry, and determined the courts could be a great match with the encircling space.
“We didn’t simply wish to do it only for the gimmick perspective or as a result of it’s fashionable,” Seidman mentioned. “I’ve learn what racquet sports activities can do for you and your mind — any type of racquet sport — has been confirmed to have well being advantages and to have an effect on your longevity.”
In whole, Seidman estimates he’s invested greater than $5 million into the 2 properties.
When desirous about the setup for the motel, Seidman mentioned he needed to encourage visitors and guests to get outdoors and work together with nature, which is why the vast majority of rooms don’t have TVs in them and there are numerous outside lounging places across the property.
Heather Jowers, occasions supervisor on the Ranch Motel, mentioned the property goals to maintain its native occasions calendar lively and really “Texas.” Public occasions to this point have included specialty markets, wine tastings and themed glad hours.
The motel presents annual pickleball memberships that begin at $1,500 and leisure membership memberships at $2,500 that give visitors entry to the lodge’s facilities. Courtroom leases begin at $18 per hour however differ relying on day and season, Jowers famous. Day passes to the property and pool may also be bought on-line.
Joey Boatright, common supervisor, mentioned every little thing on the lodge has been curated for visitors from the hand-picked toiletries, specialty linens, and king-sized beds to the grab-and-go fridge choices and retail retailer choices.
Boatright mentioned he hopes that the property turns into a preferred hangout not only for out-of-town guests, however for locals as properly.
“We wish the general public to know this location is absolutely open to them as properly,” Boatright mentioned. “And we’re actually excited to be right here.”
