Caption by Hyatt Wins AIA Memphis Merit Award
Caption by Hyatt Wins AIA Memphis Merit Award for Excellence in Design

HBG Design is proud to announce that Caption by Hyatt has received a 2024 Merit Award for New Construction from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Memphis Chapter. The award was presented on November 16, 2024, at the AIA Memphis Annual Awards Gala, held at Collage Dance in Memphis.
The project, located in the heart of Memphis, was recognized for its innovative design approach, successfully merging contemporary architecture with the neighborhood’s historic fabric. The jury, comprised of distinguished design professionals from AIA Arizona, praised the project for its thoughtful revitalization of the existing streetscape, balancing modern construction with historic preservation.
Jury Comments:
"This project successfully revitalizes a historic facade by thoughtfully layering new construction with the existing structure. The reuse of the original mechanics shop, combined with a setback modern addition, preserves the street's human scale and creates unique urban spaces, including a charming semi-outdoor courtyard. The well-scaled brickwork provides a welcome departure from typical contemporary hotel aesthetics, resulting in a balanced and authentic character."
Designing an Authentic Urban Experience
Caption by Hyatt is a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience that prioritizes connection—both to the surrounding community and to its guests. The design integrates the adaptive reuse of an early 20th-century mechanics shop with a sleek, modern addition, creating a dynamic blend of old and new. By preserving the original building’s scale and materiality, the design pays homage to Memphis’ industrial heritage while introducing a contemporary, vibrant hotel concept.
Central to the project is the thoughtfully designed courtyard, a semi-outdoor space that fosters interaction and serves as a gathering hub. The brickwork, carefully detailed to reflect the surrounding context, adds to the hotel’s approachable and timeless aesthetic.
A Testament to Excellence
The AIA Memphis Merit Award celebrates projects that demonstrate design excellence, innovation, and a meaningful contribution to the built environment. HBG Design is honored to have been recognized for Caption by Hyatt and is proud of the impact this project has made in the Memphis community.
We extend our gratitude to AIA Memphis and the jury panel for this incredible recognition and to our clients and partners who helped bring this vision to life.
About HBG Design HBG Design is a nationally recognized architecture and interior design firm specializing in creating transformative hospitality, entertainment, and mixed-use spaces. With a focus on design excellence and innovation, we strive to bring meaningful connections to life through inspired architecture.
Graceland's Chapel in the Woods receives Merit Award from AIA Memphis
HBG Design received the AIA Merit Award from the AIA Memphis Chapter for Graceland's Chapel in the Woods in Memphis, Tennessee.
Just under 2,600 square feet, this quaint chapel represents the down-to-earth side of Elvis, who was raised in small-town Tupelo, Mississippi. An ode to rural church design, the humble chapel’s shotgun framework makes nature the main showcase, outside and in.
This quaint chapel, accessed only by a scenic walking path, sits among trees and gardens not far from Elvis Presley’s Graceland© Mansion and new resort experience in Memphis, Tennessee.
Inspired by Elvis’ childhood home in Tupelo, Mississippi, a simple shotgun style, the modest structure is a distinct contrast from the legendary performer’s famous 1970s mansion. And that was intentional. Elvis is not only an international music icon, but he is known for his true ‘rags to riches’ story from his humble beginnings as a small-town boy with gospel roots. Designers considered this duality and the Owner’s vision for “a small rustic country chapel” when creating the design.
Through the steep gabled entryway, three elevations of glass windows frame views to the surrounding trees, giving the serene perception of being married in the woods. White horizontal exterior siding wraps around the exterior façade moving through into the interior walls to connect exterior and interior design elements. The light siding is contrasted with rich, rustic wooden beams, columns and interior siding, softened by the varying hues of green plantings outside. Clean architectural details provide reveals and relief on all surfaces. Large dramatic trusses in the main chapel bring a touch of complexity to the otherwise simple shotgun chapel typology.
The chapel purposely presents a straightforward organization of space – with rooms for the bride and groom, traditional wooden pews and an outdoor reception space – remaining true to the duality that was Elvis Presley.
To find out more about the project and project team, you can view the award submittal at AIA Memphis.
The Star Luxury Apartments receives Honor Award from AIA Memphis
HBG Design received the AIA Honor Award from the AIA Memphis Chapter for the restoration and revitalization of The Star Luxury Apartments at the Historic Texaco Building in downtown Houston, Texas. To find out more about the project and project team, you can view the award submittal at AIA Memphis.
Designers undertook a vigorous restoration and revitalization effort to convert a long-abandoned, century-old landmark headquarters as a stunning 17-story mixed-use multi-family tower, reconnecting it to the urban fabric as a focal point for downtown Houston’s live-work-play vision.
After oil giant Texaco moved out of its downtown Houston location in 1989, the historic, century-old office building stood vacant for more than twenty years waiting for its next purpose. Engaged by a local developer with plans to reshape the desolate building into a luxury apartment community, designers had a large task ahead of them. Originally designed in Renaissance Revival style with Beaux-Arts accents, The Star incorporates an initial, 13-story structure that opened in 1915, with an addition added in 1938 and a 16-story addition added in 1958. Though mostly gutted over its 30 years of non-use, sitting in dilapidated condition in the heart of central downtown, many historically-significant features were judged to be restorable. Designers worked hand-in-hand with historic regulatory agencies through extensive approval processes in the preservation and sourcing of similar materials to match the original design intent of the building. Creative design by the architects altered the building layout from an office floor plate to apartment units. To accommodate the new use, the team designed an L-shaped 66,000 square foot addition to the back side of the historic building, increasing the overall dimension of the upper floors. This solution was able to increase density and create more efficient use of the land, while maintaining historic integrity.