Hill Country excursion
Historic Hill Country mansion transforms into luxe vacation getaway
The Menagerie is in its final renovation stages.
A historic Hill Country property is being transformed into a glorious getaway destination fusing elegant Victorian-style design and Texas history.
The Menagerie, located at 302 West Travis St. in Fredericksburg - just blocks from the historic downtown Main Street - is in the final stages of renovation, with the overhaul expected to be completed by summer 2023.
The property spans 9,500 square feet across 12 total units on both sides of West Travis Street: the original landmark mansion, a carriage house, a five-unit converted barn/garage, and four units in three cottage-style bungalows. The Menagerie can accommodate up to 34 guests over 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.
The original mansion was built in the early 1900s as the private residence for Fredericksburg’s first mayor, and was heavily influenced by Queen Anne Victorian-style design. Property owners Nicole and Ramzi Al Rashid wanted to keep those aspects in mind when choosing a design team to renovate the house, which led them to Austin-based land design studio Twistleaf and interior designer Sarah Stacey.
“We have an excellent team of all-stars working on this project, and we’re incredibly thankful for the work Twistleaf and Sarah Stacey have put into making The Menagerie inviting, restful and lively for groups of many sizes,” Ramzi Al Rashid says in a press release.
Nicole Al Rashid says they wanted to collaborate with inspiring designers who would “elevate [their] spaces and do great work for [their] guests and the local community."
Details of the property renovation include:
- New fencing and gates
- A hardscape reconfiguration
- LED landscape lighting
- Mutabilis rose bushes and native ornamental grasses by the pool
- Native Hill Country plant species
- Natural color schemes
The interior design refresh will include vivid, bold colors with theatrical elements and a few modern updates for practicality. Each room on the property will feature antique furniture, eccentric wallpaper, and vintage decor that pays homage to the site’s history.
Twistleaf founder Sarah Yant says renovating a property with a rich past like The Menagerie is an "exciting opportunity" for her team.
“Nicole, Ramzi and Sarah Stacey brought expansive vision to this project, and our landscape design mirrors their excellence," she says. "We're working to improve the land with Hill Country-friendly plants and create a design that adds to the intuitiveness, circulation and comfort of the outdoor spaces. All the changes are designed to enhance the functionality and hospitality of the property.”
The Menagerie is expected to open in summer 2023. More information can be found on themenagerieatx.com.
