Hotel Galvez Galveston Texas

by Connie Fox

Title

Hotel Galvez Galveston Texas

Artist

Connie Fox

Medium

Photograph - Outdoor Color Photo

Description

FEATURED ON THE HOMEPAGE OF FINE ART AMERICA

The historic Hotel Galvez in Galveston, Texas, as she has looked to this longtime Texan through many decades. This national treasure was built in 1910 for one million dollars and opened in 1911. Though much of Galveston is Victorian, the red tile roof and ivory stucco exterior of this famous landmark convey a mission, or Spanish revival, style—perhaps a nod to Bernardo de Galvez, 1st Viscount of Galveston, for whom the city was named.

Hotel Galvez, "Queen of the Gulf," has had several well-known owners through the years. For decades we often came to Galveston with our children. During those years she was under the ownership of famous pioneer heart surgeon Dr. Denton Cooley, who purchased the vintage hotel in 1978 and initiated a major renovation. Then in 1995 the Galvez was purchased by Galveston native and real estate developer George P. Mitchell, who restored this landmark to its historic 1911 look. As a Houstonian for more than half a century, I remember this grand icon as ivory, her exterior color in 2012 when I was able to capture several images you will find here in my galleries.

Under recent owners who purchased the hotel in May 2021, Galveston’s Hotel Galvez was renamed Grand Galvez Resort & Spa and new owners completely renovated the hotel, restoring numerous original features, including the original pink exterior paint scheme. The bold, colorful interiors I’m told were inspired by the iconic interiors of The Greenbrier and The Beverly Hills Hotel. These renovations were completed in 2023.

In 1979 this historic 226-room resort hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, of which I have long been a supporting member.

Copyright 2012–23 Connie Steitz Fox
All Rights Reserved
Nikon D80

FEATURED in these groups: The Meandering Photographer, Nikon Full Frame Cameras, Showcasing the South, and Covered Bridges and Historical Buildings, October 2023.

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October 3rd, 2023

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