Onera

Operating Sold

From site selection and design to construction and a turn-key opening—Artistree provided Onera Fredericksburg a complete boutique hotel operations.

This Artistree developed site sold for two times the invested costs a mere 9 months after first opening. Onera Fredericksburg was created to be the Hill Country’s premier glamping site with 11 uniques units.  The resulting hotel outperforms most rentals in the area by more than 50%, with Artistree’s two treehouses having the site's highest ADR and occupancy.

Onera is a bespoke glamping development with a different type of unit for everyone's tastes. Four "soft-sided" structures include a safari tent, bushtek tent, geodesic dome, and a tent called the cocoon. The four "hard-sided" structures are two container homes with rooftop decks and two Artistree treehouses, the Spyglass and Monarch.

Artistree's work includes:

Site selection and business model validation

Artistree supported the client through analysis of various sites to pick one that best serves the vision.  Review of business plan to validate cost and revenue projections.

Master planning

From conceptual layout to utility planning to landscape design, Artistree ensured the site would facilitate the guest experience.

Architectural design and coordination

Design of custom treehouse, pool area and elevated tree deck; design of foundations, decks, FF&E, finishes, and internal partitions for prefabricated units; site specific application of spyglass unit

General contract and Artistree build team

Managed up to a 8 person build team mobilized on-site to ensure highest quality craftsmanship; contracted trades to complete scope of work site-wide

Initial marketing of completed site

Helped client select reservation software and early operating systems. Created initial PR and marketing campaign that helped site achieve stabilized occupancy in three months.

Project Objectives

  • Curate a series of diverse lodging options that each highlight quality architectural elements and unique forms while emphasizing the outdoors
  • Provide the comfort and amenities of a luxury retreat while maintaining the nature-connection of camping
  • Create and restore prime wildlife habitat that is beautiful and ecologically sound for long-term health of the site

Design Approaches

  • Clean, simple lines, colors, and shapes that put material and texture forward
  • Minimal, but warm, cozy, and inviting spaces
  • Integrate landscape into stay experience & feeling of privacy
  • Use climate-appropriate, resource-efficient, sustainable solutions in the built and natural environment 

Development included:

Lodging

  • Spyglass Treehouse   415 SF
  • Monarch Treehouse 405 SF
  • Mansion Safari Tent 760 SF
  • Cocoon Tent 535 SF
  • Yurt        625 SF
  • Geodesic Dome 605 SF
  • 2br Container Home 720 SF
  • 1br Container Home 480 SF
  • (2) Airstream trailers 400 SF

Amenities

  • Communal Pool Area 750 SF
  • Oak Tree Elevated Deck 500SF
  • Sauna
  • Trails
  • Fire pits

Next Project

Onera Wimberley

Opened September 2024