Mixerr Reviews: An in-depth look at the history of the Silverstone Inn in Del Valle, Texas. A lost Del Valle landmark.

The Silverstone Inn is a lost Travis County landmark that many Austinites and Del Valle residents remember fondly of. The Silverstone Inn was a hotel which later served as an apartment complex called Silverstone Suites. This news article will explain and explore the intricate history behind Silverstone Inn.

Silverstone Inn operated under the names of Silverstone Suites, Silverstone Hotel, The Embassy Inn, Silver Creek Inn, and Quality Inn Southeast.

The Silverstone Inn was built in 1983 on slab concrete on grade with wood framing, rough sawn cedar siding, and a composition shingle roof. Silverstone Inn had 113 units and over 300 rooms. The property lot was 3.82 acres. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/Geocortex/Essentials/External/REST/sites/AirportNoiseMappingApp/viewers/AirportNoiseWebMap/VirtualDirectory/Resources/Data/Noise%20Mitgation%20Parcels/Parcel%20111%20silverstone/Appraisal%20Parcel%20111%20(Atrium).PDF)

Silverstone Inn was first known as The Embassy Inn and began operating in 1983. Mr. Britt was responsible for managing the job operations. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/362873979/)

Douglas D. Lewis and Bert Pence were the owners of Silverstone Inn whom both operated Silverstone Inn as a joint venture for a number of years. They operated Silverstone Inn with additional help and management from Mr. Britt. (Ref: Travis County Deed Records, Volume 7969, Page 664)

The Ambassador Restaurant was located inside of The Embassy Inn and began operating out of there in 1985. The Ambassador Restaurant operated inside of this inn throughout 1985. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/358168314/)

“Low prices for good, simple cooking served in pleasant informal surroundings make the drive out to Del Valle worthwhile. Daily lunch and dinner specials such as roast loin of pork with gravy, chicken and dumplings, barbecue beef ribs, fresh fish, fajitas, chicken-fried steak and grilled chicken are served with two fresh vegetables, potatoes, and rolls.”

Somewhere around September 1985 is when the name of the inn was changed to Quality Inn Southeast. Quality Inn Southeast would operate at this location from September 1985 to March 1987. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/359941955/)

Silverstone Inn had 2 bedroom apartments for $225 a month in monthly rent back in 1989. Silverstone Inn had many bedrooms apartments during that time. Silverstone Inn had been operating under the assumed name of Silverstone Suites. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364023878/)

According to Austin American-Statesman, Silverstone Inn was purchased by Meelay Corporation on Tuesday, October 8, 1991. Silverstone Inn had 186 units at the time. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364155283/)

“Two Austin apartment properties, the 186-unit Silverstone Inn and the 192-unit Wildflower Apartments have been sold to two investment groups. Silverstone Inn, located at 2525 U.S. 290 East, was purchased by Meelay Corp., a Texas corporation. Ellen Muskin, a broker with Commercial Industrial Properties represented Meelay, while Matt Lutz of Capstone Real Estate Services, represented the seller, NCNB Texas National Bank.”

More than 10 different fire departments battled a wind-whipped shaped fire blaze at the Silverstone Inn near the former Bergstrom Air Force Base on Thursday, August 25, 1994. The fire gutted three of Silverstone Inn’s buildings. Assistant principal Cindy Gee helped residents of the Silverstone Inn gather belongings and rescued them. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/356805797/)

“More than 10 area fire departments battled a wind-whipped blaze at the Silverstone Inn near the former Bergstrom Air Force Base. The fire gutted three buildings and burned unabated for several hours.”

A cigarette left burning is what ignited the fire at Silverstone Inn. The fire caused for innocent children, men and women. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/356763800/)

Silverstone Inn had their zoning change approved to GR-CO and CS for 2,000 trips and prohibiting adult-oriented businesses and pawn shop services by the City of Austin on 1/18/2001. Silverstone Inn also had their zoning granted to CS-CO on 1/18/2001. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=198508)

A 2001/2002 FAA feasibility studies for Bergstrom Arms, Sunscape Apartments and Silverstone Inn demonstrated that it would be cost-effective to purchase these properties. The FAA originally recommended the owners of Silverstone Inn to install noise attenuating materials as part of a Land Use Mitigation Measure for the Sound Insulation Program. Silverstone Inn had soundproof installation installed around 2002. (Ref: https://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise/part_150/states/tx/media/roa_texas_021104.pdf)

The Derek S. Lin Family Limited Partnership and Meelay Corporation purchased Silverstone Inn from Douglas D. Lewis and Bert Pence in 2003. Silverstone Inn would be owned and operated under the management of Derek S. Lin Family Limited Partnership and Meelay Corporation in summer of 2003. (Ref: Travis County Deed Records, Instrument #2003158674)

The City of Austin approved a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings for the Austin Bergstrom International Airport Noise Mitigation Program to acquire fee simple title to the land where Silverstone Inn was located on in 2006. All for the price thereof $2,600,000 dollars. The owners of the needed property interest were Derek S. Lin Family Limited Partnership and Meelay Corporation. This was because Silverstone Inn was located in the flightpath of Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The City of Austin purchased the Silverstone Inn property to reduce noise impacts to the public resulting from aircraft take off and landing. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=96371)

Derek S. Lin Family Limited Partnership and Meelay Corporation would own and operate Silverstone Inn until both corporations dissolved in early 2009. (Ref: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0120702900)

Back in 2015, the Austin American-Statesman dubbed Silverstone Inn as “the highly rated Silverstone Inn” in one of their news articles. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/434905256/)

A reviewer from tripadvisor.com describes Silverstone Inn as “A definition of a five star rating”. Their experience at Silverstone Inn was quite unique. Silverstone Inn was one of Del Valle’s best hotels. (Ref: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g55727-d288727-Reviews-Silverstone_Inn-Del_Valle_Texas.html)

Silverstone Inn is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Del Valle, offering a romantic environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Guest rooms offer a kitchenette, a refrigerator, and air conditioning. You can also take advantage of some of the amenities offered by the inn, including room service. If you’re looking for a Mexican restaurant, consider a visit to Jasmine's Restaurant or El Michoacano Mexican Restaurant, which are all conveniently located a short distance from Silverstone Inn. Enjoy your stay in Del Valle!

However Silverstone Inn had shut down by 2017. Most of the units and laundry rooms were already demolished by that point. The rest of Silverstone Inn was demolished in 2017 to make way and clearance for a new pet friendly hotel called Bark & Zoom. 2018 was the year Bark & Zoom opened. Bark & Zoom now presides over the property where Silverstone Inn was once located. Their parking lot is now property of Bark & Zoom. Bark & Zoom is one of the very few pet friendly hotels in Austin.