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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallHotel 1928, Chip and Joanna Gaines’s first hotel, opened in Waco in 2023. Its design story begins with a real historic building: the former Grand Karem Shrine, a 1928 Moorish Revival landmark adapted into a 33-room hotel. Magnolia’s published account of a 2024 visit described the experience; this guide focuses on the property’s documented architecture, rooms and dining, rather than presenting that dated visit as a current review.
What Hotel 1928 is—and where it is
Hotel 1928 is at 701 Washington Avenue in downtown Waco, Texas. The hotel occupies the former Grand Karem Shrine Building, which Chip and Joanna Gaines developed in partnership with AJ Capital Partners. The official hotel FAQ says Magnolia Silos and Magnolia Market are within walking distance.
The property is an adaptive reuse project, not a new hotel built to imitate an old one. Magnolia says the original 53,000-square-foot building had been abandoned for more than 20 years before the Gaineses purchased it in 2018. The official hotel site lists 33 guest rooms, three food-and-beverage outlets, more than 6,600 square feet of meeting and event space, and a rooftop terrace.
How the historic building shaped the design
Built in 1928 as a home for a local social group known for community outreach and philanthropy, the building is described by the hotel as an early 20th-century Moorish Revival lodge. Its defining character comes from the original masonry, arched openings and decorative details—not just from newly selected furnishings.
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Magnolia says the Waco historic commission worked with the design team on the renovation, which retained original features where possible, including exterior masonry, terrazzo flooring, cased openings, walnut windows and arched crown molding. The restoration also addressed decorative stonework, the clay tile roof and original transom windows. Brick and stone were cleaned; the roof and windows were repaired or replicated as needed.
The interior layers walnut, brass, Venetian plaster, vintage objects, historic photographs and books around the building’s restored surfaces. Terrazzo and the repeated arches provide especially clear links to the structure’s past, while the warm materials and period-conscious styling reflect Magnolia’s design approach.
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What the rooms are like
Magnolia says the 33 rooms include four room types—Franklin, Austin, Columbus and Washington—as well as four suites. Guest rooms were made from spaces that had previously served as lounges, dining rooms, offices, patios and other gathering areas, so the hotel’s layout draws on the building’s former uses.
Bathrooms bring together green tile, black crown molding, marble, brass fixtures and arched mirrors. The rooms also feature Carlisles rugs from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi. Magnolia reports that each room includes Le Labo toiletries and evening turndown, with slippers and a carafe of water delivered at dusk; those service and product details may change. The hotel FAQ says minibars offer locally sourced snacks and drinks for purchase.
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Dining, Bertie’s and the rooftop
The hotel’s official site lists three food-and-beverage outlets. Magnolia describes two full-service restaurants and an all-day café: the first-floor Brasserie, serving Southern classics at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Bertie’s, a rooftop restaurant with seasonal dishes and indoor and outdoor seating. The official hotel page also identifies a rooftop terrace.
Bertie’s required a structural addition to the historic building. Magnolia says the new brick was selected to make that work legible beside the original structure rather than disguise it as historic fabric. The rooftop is therefore both a dining destination and a visible part of the building’s renovation story.
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Although the original visit article framed the rooftop as a bar, the official sources describe Bertie’s as a restaurant and confirm a rooftop terrace. They do not establish current bar hours, menus or whether non-hotel guests can access the rooftop. Check directly with the hotel before planning a visit around drinks or a meal.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Hotel 1928 worth a Waco trip?
For travelers drawn to historic architecture, Magnolia’s work in Waco or a stay near Magnolia Market, Hotel 1928 has a distinct proposition: a modestly sized hotel in a substantial, preserved 1928 building, with dining and event space integrated into its reuse. Its strongest design feature is the contrast between original masonry, terrazzo and arches and the refreshed rooms and public spaces.
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The published first-person account by Travel + Leisure editor-at-large Jeff Chu appeared on March 15, 2024, after the hotel had opened the previous fall. Chu recounts Joanna Gaines encouraging him to “Look up and look close”—a fitting cue for the building’s ornate exterior. That account is a dated visit, not evidence of current operations or a newly verified stay. Rates, availability, current menus and opening hours are not established here, so consult Hotel 1928 directly when making plans.
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