3 things to know about Chip and Joanna Gaines newest Waco project: a boutique hotel

Chip and Joanna Gaines traded their signature shiplap walls for velvet and leather couches.

On Nov. 3, the “Fixer Upper” couple opened the doors to their latest project in Waco, Texas: Hotel 1928.

With several TV shows, a famous marketplace, a restaurant, several books, and most recently an entire network, the first logical question is why (or why not) a hotel? “(Chip’s) got a great eye for finding unique properties in need of a little reimagining, and he surprised me with this one back in 2018,” Joanna Gaines told USA TODAY.

The property itself was serendipitous. The couple originally thought the building could serve as Magnolia headquarters, and the current headquarters could maybe serve as a hotel.

“The building itself was so massive and represented such an important piece of our city’s history that it felt a little daunting to wrap our minds around what it should become. We threw around a few ideas for a year or so, but it wasn’t until we invited Ben Weprin with AJ Capital (who we later partnered with) to walk the space with us that we decided to go the hospitality route,” Joanna said. “From there, our minds were spinning with ideas around how incredible it would be to restore this landmark property in Waco back into a place that welcomes people in again.”

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It was admittedly a different project for her, which intimidated her at times, but together with Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners, they married the historic building’s original neo-gothic ‘20s style with trendy modern patterns, green tiling, white marble, and the Gaines’ iconic chic layered decor.

“It’s all-encompassing, the duvets, the books, the lining, pencils, the stationary, (the Gaines picked out everything),” said Ben Weprin, Founder & CEO of AJ Capital – which shares ownership and is also operating the hotel.

USA TODAY was among the few who were provided a stay before Hotel 1928 opened to the public. Here are the main takeaways:

For better or worse, you’re in Waco, Texas

The city of Waco, Texas, has become synonymous with two things: Magnolia and Baylor University. In that sense, Hotel 1928 had to pull double duty by catering to visiting Chip-and-Joanna fans and the local community.

“It’s also been our intention to restore this space as an ode to Waco, both to serve our local community and as an opportunity to open the doors to visitors who may not know anything about our town, but who, when they’re here, can walk the halls and gain an understanding of how rich and resilient our history is,” Joanna said. “We poured a lot of heart and time into telling the story of our town and finding ways to make guests feel that sense of warmth and belonging that you get from the place you’re from, so it’s our hope that everyone who steps inside the hotel would feel that, and that they’d feel right at home.”

The location is not as bustling as New York City, as glitzy as Las Vegas, or as tropical as Key West, Florida, but maybe that’s the point. Hotel 1928 carves its own space for those who want to have a luxury experience in a place that feels like home.

The hotel packs a lot of history if you look closely

It’s only fitting that Hotel 1928 would reopen its doors to guests almost a century later. The updated glamour of the Roaring ‘20s is in full display.

“When you step inside, we really want it to feel like you’re stepping back in time,” Joanna said. “The structure was originally built in 1928, so we leaned into that Golden Age of American culture … we intentionally chose colors and materials that sparked a sort of nostalgia for those Roaring ‘20s, and we hope guests feel the permission to get swept up in that feeling whether they’re dining in one of the restaurants or playing a game of chess in the library.”

The photography on the walls, the books in the library, and some of the furniture pieces around the hotel all combine to tell a story of a past Waco.

It’s a perfect place for special events

Aside from the 33 rooms, the coffee shop, library, restaurant and rooftop bar and lounge, Hotel 1928’s (not so) hidden gem is its ballroom.

Stepping on the original (and renovated) floors gives guests a sense of grandiosity. It’s a perfect location to celebrate life milestones with the added convenience of all the embedded hotel amenities.

“Hospitality has always been at the heart of what we do. Especially here in Waco, the idea of inviting people in and inspiring a sense of home is the lens through which we created the experience at the Silos, in retail, and at our restaurants. So for us, the hotel feels like an extension of that intention, another opportunity to welcome people in and make them feel at home,” Joanna said.

(It’s a good thing the property didn’t end up as Magnolia headquarters because the ballroom space was being eyed as a basketball court.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fixer Upper: The Hotel – What to know about Chip, Joanna's new project