The raw concrete, steel and glass building with the blue gradient steel fins took shape quickly on a busy intersection near Fort Worth’s hospital district. Of course, we were curious. When we saw the Ibañez Shaw Architecture sign on the construction site, we definitely wanted to know more. Bart Shaw, part of the firm’s award-winning team along with Greg Ibañez, is the lead designer on this project. He thinks of it as “a modern icon marking the gateway to the Near Southside.” Which is precisely why building owner Trey Neville hired him for the project. A Fort Worth native, Neville studied architecture and finance at Texas Tech. While good with numbers, he’s also drawn to aesthetically pleasing visuals. A stay at the Kimber Modern, a contemporary boutique hotel in Austin, sparked his interest in opening a unique getaway in Fort Worth. “I had the property and thought it would be a good spot for a hotel and an opportunity to do something different for Fort Worth.” Neville talked with hotel owners from around the state, but no one seemed interested in his project. He then talked to Shaw about his ideas. “He got it immediately,” says Neville. “It” is now known as Hotel Revel, which has 15 rooms, including three suites. The sleek interior design is minimalist and complements the exterior: concrete floors, exposed steel and concrete, visually interesting windows created by white metal panels. Automated shades are available to block the sun and offer privacy.

The furniture — desks, side tables, luggage shelves — is custom-fabricated steel and powder coated white. The bathrooms feature walk-in showers with glass doors and a fabricated-steel vanity stocked with Malin + Goetz toiletries. Contemporary furniture was selected for each room. A common area with a large refrigerator, table and chairs and lounge furniture leads to a spacious deck, which is curtained off by the steel fins. After dark, the view is spectacular. In the works is a first-floor coffee bar. Hotel Revel is working on an app-based system for check-ins; guests will have access to the entrance door, their room and the common areas. Neville also is open to the option of renting out the entire hotel for weddings and other special events. Check out the in-progress website for updates. 1165 8th Ave., Fort Worth, thehotelrevel.com.

Developers Allen Mederos and Jonathan Morris are full steam ahead on their Fort Worth boutique hotel in the Arlington Heights neighborhood. Both men are familiar faces in town; Morris also owns Fort Worth Barber Shop and The Lathery. Working with the city and the neighborhood on zoning issues, they’ve tweaked their design, but did settle on a name for the project. Hotel Dryce pays homage to the building that formerly sold dry ice; the new design will retain some of its unusual features and memorabilia. The 19-room boutique hotel sits across from Dickies Arena and above Fort Works Art at 3621 Byers Ave. The architect is Bennett Benner Partners; the target completion is the end of 2020.