Richmond, VA – July 29, 2026 – Kalyan Hospitality, a Richmond-based hotel ownership and management group, proudly announces the acquisition of the Graduate by Hilton Richmond. The landmark transaction represents a major milestone for Kalyan Hospitality, marking both a significant expansion in its home market and the first Graduate by Hilton property to join its rapidly growing portfolio.
Located in the heart of downtown Richmond near the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) campus, the 205-room boutique hotel is celebrated for its immersive, story-rich design that honors Richmond’s historic college town culture, local legends, and academic heritage. Boasting vibrant rooftop bar Byrd House, localized art installations, and bespoke meeting spaces, the property captures a unique lifestyle segment that appeals to university visitors, business travelers, and locals alike.
"I'm incredibly excited to welcome the Graduate Richmond to the Kalyan Hospitality family. The Graduate has long been a landmark in Richmond, and it's a privilege for us to become its next steward. We look forward to preserving what makes this property so special while investing in its future for our guests, team members, and the Richmond community," said Nick Patel, CEO of Kalyan Hospitality.
Investing Heavily in Richmond's Future
This acquisition further solidifies Kalyan Hospitality’s aggressive investment strategy in the Richmond region. It follows on the heels of several major local developments by the company, including the recent comprehensive renovation and high-profile conversion of historic Shockoe Slip’s independent Berkeley Hotel into The Berkeley Richmond, Outset Collection by Hilton, making it one of the very first properties worldwide to join Hilton's new curated lifestyle collection.
Kalyan Hospitality was also recently selected as the exclusive hotel partner for the $2.4 billion Diamond District redevelopment, where it will build a new hotel anchor adjacent to the state-of-the-art CarMax Park, the new home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Concurrently, construction is well underway on a new Element Hotel by Marriott in Short Pump, an upscale extended-stay property featuring the Alchemy Sky Bar, a premier 8th-floor rooftop destination designed to serve both hotel guests and the local West End community.
"The continued growth of Kalyan Hospitality is a direct reflection of the incredible dedication and hard work of our entire team. Their passion, commitment, and pursuit of excellence have made it possible for us to expand our portfolio while remaining focused on providing outstanding experiences for our guests, associates, and partners," said Nick Patel, CEO of Kalyan Hospitality.
Kalyan Hospitality plans to focus on operational enhancements and team development while maintaining the property’s excellent reputation within the Hilton brand. Learn more about the Graduate by Hilton Richmond here.
About Kalyan Hospitality
Kalyan Hospitality is a Virginia-based hotel development and management company with a grow in ing portfolio of nationally recognized hotel brands. Known for its focus on guest satisfaction, community investment, and operational excellence, Kalyan Hospitality is a trusted leader in the Mid-Atlantic hospitality industry.
Media Contact:
Mellisa Ayer
VP, Sales & Marketing
mayer@kalyanhospitality.com
