Thank you again to Falls Realty Photo for taking and providing these AWESOME photos. You should all go and send them some love, because without them, you would be stuck with my terrible iPhone pictures. This month, we will be featuring downtown businesses owned by board members. This week, we are excited to feature the historic Holt Hotel Apartments! This beautifully-restored building is owned by board members Michele and Mike Derr, and former board members Christy and Rick Graham. In June 2013, the Derrs and the Grahams purchased the recently-renovated Holt Hotel, and have been dedicated ever since to keeping one of downtown’s premiere apartment buildings full, and its residents happy. However, the Holt has not always been as gorgeous and well-maintained as it is now. In fact, ten years ago it was not suitable to live in at all. In 2003, after sitting abandoned for about two decades, the Wichita Falls Heritage Society decided to rescue the Holt from the wrecking ball. They worked tirelessly to drum up millions of dollars to pay for the costly renovation. Luckily, through community support and generous anonymous donors, they were able to save the Holt. Now, the Holt is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Wichita Falls Landmark. The history behind this striking building is simply fascinating. Built in 1910, it was originally known at the Kemp-Kell building, and housed offices and the City National Bank. Then, it only had five stories. Eventually, the lobby was dropped and the mezzanine was added. Supposedly, another building was being constructed that would be taller than the Holt, so to compete, three more floors were added. In 1926, the building was sold to George Holt and HS Ford, and was renovated into a hotel. There were 200 rooms, and rates started at $1.50, but “never cost more than $4.50” according to an old advertisement. Notable hotel visitors included Eleanor Roosevelt, Sally Rand (a famous burlesque dancer and actor well-known for her ostrich feather fan dance) and novelist Pearl Buck. One resident that is still there that many people do not know about is the “smoking ghost”. Rumor has it that when the building was still used for offices, one of the maintenance workers who smoked committed suicide in the building, and have been roaming the halls ever since. The Holt remained a hotel until the 80s, when it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Now, there are three office spaces on the ground level and 41 apartments on the remaining seven floors. You can still see the original marble walls in the hallway, original windows on the backside and original mosaic tiles in the halls. Apartments range from 550 square feet to 1369 square feet, but all of them feel roomy and are completely outfitted with fully-equipped kitchens, washers and dryers and tons of storage. Pets are allowed, too! While the Holt is currently filled to capacity, feel free to call and be put on the waiting list for when an apartment opens up. When you live at the Holt, as several tenants have said, its more than just an apartment building – it is a community. Quick Facts: Address: 600 8th Street (management office is in Suite 11) Phone: 940-855-9007 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm or by appointment Facebook: Historic Holt Hotel LLC
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 20:06:20 +0000
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