Ant Street Hotel’s New Era
Brenham’s historic inn is undergoing a gentle restoration under new stewards Trish and Connor Byer
Ant Street Hotel remains open for booking during the restoration. (Photo courtesy of Ant Street Inn)
Brenham’s historic Ant Street Inn is undergoing a gentle restoration under new stewards Trish and Connor Byer, who also own Hill & Hollow Vacation Rentals. The Byers are working to preserve and enhance the hotel’s circa-1899 character while refreshing the interiors and adding modern elements.
The building has served as everything from a grocery store to a saloon and has been the centerpiece of downtown Brenham since its inception. “We admired Ant Street Inn long before we ever imagined owning it,” Connor says. “It’s one of those buildings that feels inseparable from Downtown Brenham — grand, a little unexpected, and filled with stories.” The Byers are using their combined experience in the hospitality and construction industries to develop Ant Street’s next chapter, which includes rebranding it as the Ant Street Hotel. Extensive maintenance, mechanical, and technological improvements make up most of the renovation’s first phase.
“Some of the most significant work will never be obvious to a guest,” says Connor, “but it’s essential to preserving a 127-year-old building and ensuring it remains comfortable for generations to come. Some of the changes you’ll notice immediately; some, you’ll never see.” Visible changes are happening in the ballroom, which has been updated with new wainscoting, fresh paint, and a new ceiling. Other updates to the inn’s interior include refinishing the original wood floors throughout and updating the lobby bathrooms. The 15 guest rooms and bathrooms will also be zhushed with antique furnishings and new lighting, bedding, and rugs.
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Ant Street Hotel's 127-year-old Romanesque Revival facade, in Brenham. (Photo Kolton King)
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Ant Street Hotel guest room. (Photo courtesy Ant Street Hotel)
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Ant Street Hotel remains open for booking during the restoration. (Photo courtesy of Ant Street Inn)
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Ant Street Hotel guest bath. (Photo courtesy Ant Street Hotel)
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New proprietors Trish and Connor Byer. (Photo Kolton King)
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Stained glass is being carefully restored.
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A courtyard outside of a room at Ant Streeet Hotel.
The Brenham Grill is independently operated within the inn, and its team serves breakfast for overnight guests in addition to lunch and dinner for visitors.
Outside, the signature red-brick Romanesque Revival façade is being carefully preserved, and the charming wedding garden has been relandscaped. A new outdoor seating area and fireplace are also being constructed in the garden. “The seating area is projected to be complete by the fall Round Top show,” Connor says. “It will be a beautiful place for hotel guests to gather and relax with a glass of wine.”
The current slate of updates at Ant Street is only the beginning. Looking ahead, the Byers are considering the addition of a pool, a lobby bar, and more. The hotel remains open for booking during renovations. Ant Street Hotel, 107 W. Commerce St., Brenham, antstreetinn.com, @antstreetinn.