Hotel 1928
WACO, TX
Architecture: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
Design: Magnolia Home
Hotel 1928 is a boutique hotel in downtown Waco, Texas, transformed by Chip and Joanna Gaines in collaboration with AJ Capital Partners. Housed in the historic Grand Karem Shrine, a Moorish Revival building designed by Herbert M. Greene and Roy Ellsworth Lane, the hotel preserves original features like terrazzo floors and arched windows while introducing modern comforts.
The 33 guest rooms offer a blend of historic charm and luxury, with custom linens and Turkish-made robes. Dining options include The Brasserie, serving Southern-inspired cuisine, and Bertie’s on the Rooftop, offering seasonal dishes with panoramic city views.
A highlight is the two-story library, featuring books from Larry McMurtry’s collection. With over 6,600 square feet of event space, including a grand ballroom, Hotel 1928 combines elegance and history, making it a distinctive destination in Waco.
Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture (HPA) is a Chicago-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm founded in 1987 by Raymond Hartshorne and James Plunkard. Operating nationally from its Near North Side studio, HPA specializes in large-scale new construction, historic preservation, and mixed-use projects. The firm is recognized for its placemaking approach, integrating a deep understanding of site history and context into each design. Notable projects include One Chicago Square, 1KFulton (Google’s Chicago headquarters), and the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. HPA was named AIA Chicago’s 2018 Firm of the Year and continues to shape urban landscapes across the U.S.
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