The world's first 3D-printed hotel and nomadic campground, currently being rebuilt on a 62-acre high-desert site in Marfa, Texas.
El Cosmico, the legendary bohemian campground and nomadic hotel in Marfa, Texas, has entered a historic new chapter. Originally founded in 2009 by visionary hotelier Liz Lambert, the property spent over fifteen years on a 21-acre site in South Marfa, where it built a global reputation as a sanctuary for artists, wanderers, and creative souls. This original location, known for its eclectic collection of restored vintage Airstreams, Sioux-style teepees, safari tents, and Mongolian yurts, permanently closed its doors on July 1, 2025. The closure marked the end of an era for the beloved high-desert outpost, which also served as the long-running home of the annual Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love. Rather than fading away, the brand is currently undergoing a massive, ground-breaking relocation and expansion to a new 62-acre site on the outskirts of town, north of the Antelope Hills neighborhood.
The future of El Cosmico is being realized through a pioneering collaboration between Liz Lambert, the Austin-based robotic construction firm ICON, and the world-renowned architecture firm BIG, led by Bjarke Ingels. Currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2027, the new property will be the world's first 3D-printed hotel. The design departs from traditional boxy construction, utilizing ICON's massive Vulcan printer to layer a proprietary, low-carbon concrete mixture made with local sand, water, and pigments that blend seamlessly with the Chihuahuan Desert terroir. This advanced technology allows for organic curves, domes, arches, vaults, and parabolic forms that would be nearly impossible to build using conventional methods. The new resort will feature 43 3D-printed hotel units, alongside a collection of private three- and four-bedroom residences known as Sunday Homes, which range from 2,000 to 2,500 square feet and offer sweeping views of the distant Davis Mountains.
While the architecture represents a futuristic leap, the soul of the original El Cosmico will remain intact. The expansion plans include relocating most of the vintage trailers, yurts, and tents from the original site to the new, larger acreage, ensuring that the eclectic, laid-back spirit of the property persists. New luxury amenities will elevate the guest experience, including a massive circular infinity pool surrounded by printed structures, an open-air bathhouse, a spa, and a new restaurant led by a James Beard-nominated chef. Communal spaces, outdoor kitchens, and workshops will continue to serve as a living laboratory for artistic and cultural experimentation. Until the grand reopening in 2027, reservations remain on hiatus, but the rising curves of the 3D-printed structures in the desert sand offer a preview of a highly anticipated architectural marvel.
The original South Marfa location is permanently closed. Keep an eye on the official El Cosmico channels for updates on construction and the release of reservation dates for the highly anticipated 2027 reopening of the new 3D-printed desert campus.
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