Omni Barton Creek Lays Off Staff During $150M Renovation

The Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa will lay off half its staff as the hotel begins a yearlong $150M renovation.

Layoffs will begin April 30, which will coincide with the closure of the Travis County resort. The Texas Workforce Commission posted the mass layoff last week as required under the federal labor law.

The renovation began in November. 

"This was a difficult decision and we recognize the impact this will have on many of our associates," resort management said in a statement. "We are committed to easing the transition and will be hosting job information sessions and fairs in the coming weeks for associates to explore opportunities at Omni properties and other local hotels and restaurants."

Omni Hotels did not provide an exact number for the layoff, except to say it was "less than half" of the workforce. Federal law requires companies to report a layoff that is at least 500 workers or fewer than 500 workers if the layoff constitutes at least 33% of staff.

Omni Barton Creek will retain 350 employees to continue the operation of the golf course, private club and various administrative functions. A corporate spokeswoman said 25% of affected associates have accepted jobs at other Omni properties.

The Omni Barton Creek's renovation and expansion, designed by The Beck Group, will include an additional 180-room tower, a new conference center and ballroom, a new event pavilion, six new dining outlets and a signature spa.

The resort will reopen in May 2019 with 900 associate positions, many of them newly created, according to the hotel chain.