Chip and Joanna Giddy Up to Restore Vintage Waco Hotel

Chip and Joanna Giddy Up to Restore Vintage Waco Hotel - The Fixer Uppers Take on a New Project

Popular home renovation stars Chip and Joanna Gaines are embarking on a new adventure - restoring a historic hotel in their hometown of Waco, Texas. The couple, known for their HGTV show Fixer Upper, announced plans to reimagine the nearly 100-year-old Grand Karem Shrine building into a stunning boutique hotel.

This will be the couple's biggest renovation project yet, with the aim of transforming the faded 1920s structure into a vibrant community gathering space. The Grand Karem first opened its doors in 1928 as a meeting hall for the Shriners fraternal organization. Over the decades, it has hosted countless weddings, proms, and community events for Waco residents. However, the building has fallen into disrepair in recent years.

That's where Chip and Joanna come in. The couple has made a name for themselves renovating rundown homes in Waco, imbuing them with their signature farmhouse chic style. Now they're taking on the ultimate fixer upper challenge - breathing new life into a faded local landmark.

The Grand Karem hotel project is especially meaningful for Chip and Joanna as it's located right in the heart of their hometown. They hope restoring the historic structure will provide a boost to downtown Waco and attract more tourists to explore the area. The project is expected to take a couple of years to complete.

This won't be the Gaines' first foray into hospitality. They also own and operate a bed & breakfast called the Magnolia House, a vacation rental called Hillcrest Estate, and a coffee shop called Magnolia Press. However, reinventing an expansive historic hotel will be a more ambitious endeavor.