The Kimpton Harper Hotel in downtown Fort Worth won't open until spring 2021, but there's exciting news regarding two new eateries that will reside inside.

The Kimpton is going into the former XTO Energy Headquarters building at 714 Main St., built in 1921 as the Farmers and Mechanics National Bank building and, at 24 stories, once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

The historic site is being repurposed into a 226-room property fortuitously located near the Fort Worth Convention Center and Sundance Square.

Upon completion, it will feature 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a rooftop observation deck with a 360-degree view of Fort Worth, and Kimpton signature amenities including an evening social hour, morning coffee service, and complimentary bicycles.

There are two food & beverage establishments in the works:

• Refinery 714 will be a penthouse bar and lounge, named for the hotel's street address, with sweeping views of the plains
• Il Modo will be a vibrant bustling restaurant and bar serving Italian fare with a modern sensibility

The hotel is from Development Services Group (DSG, Inc.), a licensee of San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants.

DSG, Inc. has selected Davidson Hotels & Resorts to manage the hotel which will be operated by Davidson's lifestyle and luxury division, Pivot Hotels & Resorts. Davidson runs 61 hotels across the U.S., including Le Meridien in Houston.

Davidson Hotels & Resorts president Thom Geshay says in a statement that they're excited to collaborate with DSG, Inc.

DSG president & CEO Gary Prosterman has high praise for the Pivot team.

"Pivot understands how to serve guests who desire a personalized social travel experience," he says. "We know that under the team's leadership and guidance, the Kimpton Harper will seamlessly encapsulate the dynamic, laid-back sophistication of Fort Worth in a meaningful way."

Pasta pasta
Prosterman says that they worked with the Kimpton team to come up with the right mix of food and drink.

"Kimpton is known for its top-notch food and beverage options," he says. "They did a lot of research to find the right concept that would bring something fresh, and saw there was potential in an Italian place."

They're still developing the details, but know that it will come with a couple of extras.

"We'll have a pasta-making room, with a display where people can see pasta being made in-house," Prosterman says. "We'll also do special events like host pasta-making classes."

Refinery 714 will boast a cocktail program that is well crafted and yet down to earth.

"We're anticipating the attractive, high-energy creations for which Kimpton's crackerjack food & beverage team is known," Prosterman says.

The Harper will be the first Kimpton property in Fort Worth but the third in Texas, joining the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt in Austin and the Kimpton Pittman Hotel, newly opened in Dallas' Deep Ellum.