A&R Group Officially Unveils The Tutwiler Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton

Historic Birmingham landmark officially begins its next chapter as a full-service DoubleTree by Hilton

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A new chapter officially begins today for one of Birmingham’s most iconic hotels as A&R Group announces the completed conversion of The Tutwiler Hotel to a DoubleTree by Hilton.

Following an extensive transformation, the historic downtown property is now officially welcoming guests as The Tutwiler Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton, pairing more than a century of Birmingham history with refreshed accommodations, full-service amenities, and the signature hospitality of the globally recognized DoubleTree brand.

Located at 2021 Park Place in downtown Birmingham, the newly transformed hotel introduces refreshed guestrooms and suites, enhanced meeting and event experiences, and one of DoubleTree’s most recognizable traditions: a warm DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie welcome for arriving guests.

The transformation represents a careful balance of preservation and progress. Original marble, ornamental ceilings, and other historic architectural details remain at the heart of the property, while guestrooms, bathrooms, furnishings, lighting, and finishes have been thoughtfully renewed throughout the hotel.

The Tutwiler features 149 guestrooms with 13 different layouts per floor, a reflection of the building’s origins as the Ridgely Apartments.

Accommodations include six balcony suites, six fireplace suites featuring decorative glowing fireplaces, and an expansive Presidential Suite with two king bedrooms, private bathrooms, and a spacious central entertaining area.

The result is a hotel that offers the comforts expected of a modern upscale property without sacrificing the distinctive proportions and character of its historic setting.

“The Tutwiler has always held a special place in Birmingham’s story, and we’re incredibly honored to help shape its next chapter,” said Robert Avila, President of Hospitality at A&R Group. “Our vision from the beginning was to preserve the character that makes this property irreplaceable while creating an experience that meets the expectations of today’s traveler. Becoming a DoubleTree by Hilton allows us to pair that history with an internationally recognized full-service brand and introduce an entirely new experience for guests, events, and the Birmingham community.”

A Birmingham Gathering Place, Reimagined

The Tutwiler offers a collection of flexible meeting, event, and private gathering spaces available for corporate meetings, celebrations, receptions, and social events.

Among them is the Ridgely Ballroom, named for the building’s original identity as the Ridgely Apartments, constructed in 1913.

Additional spaces include The Jefferson, The Continental Room, and executive meeting spaces, offering a range of settings for business meetings, leadership retreats, private dining, weddings, and special events.

The building’s history is uniquely intertwined with the original Tutwiler Hotel. Both were developed in 1913 by the same individuals: the original Tutwiler became Birmingham’s celebrated hotel, while this building opened as the luxury Ridgely Apartments.

After the original hotel was demolished in 1974, the historic Ridgely was restored and reopened as The Tutwiler in 1986, preserving the name and legacy for a new generation. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Perfectly positioned in downtown Birmingham, The Tutwiler provides convenient access to the city’s business district, dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions, creating a destination for both visitors and local residents.

The official DoubleTree conversion represents another significant milestone for Gulf Shores-based A&R Group, whose growing portfolio includes 28 hotels.

Through its vertically integrated platform encompassing development, design, construction, hospitality management, and asset management, A&R Group continues to invest in distinctive hospitality assets while creating long-term value for guests, brand partners, investors, and the communities it serves.

The Tutwiler Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton, is now officially open and welcoming guests.

About A&R Group

A&R Group is a vertically integrated hospitality platform focused on developing, constructing, operating, and managing high-performing hotel assets.

Headquartered in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the company has grown from a single hotel into a portfolio of 28 properties spanning Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, California, Colorado, and Mississippi, with additional developments underway.

By aligning development, design, construction, hospitality management, and asset management under one structure, A&R maintains control across the full lifecycle of each asset—driving consistency, efficiency, and long-term performance.

The company’s portfolio includes partnerships with leading global hospitality brands, including Hilton, Marriott, and IHG Hotels.

About DoubleTree by Hilton

DoubleTree by Hilton is a global full-service hotel brand known for its warm hospitality and signature DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie welcome.

With properties around the world, DoubleTree offers contemporary accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and welcoming experiences for business and leisure travelers.

Guests can also enjoy the benefits of Hilton Honors®, Hilton’s award-winning guest loyalty program, including exclusive member rates, Digital Key, digital check-in, room selection, and opportunities to earn and redeem points across Hilton’s global portfolio.

Media Contact

Sommer Sparrow
Marketing & Communications Manager
A&R Group