The LaSalle Hotel

History

The hotel was opened in 1928 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 26, 2000. At its opening in 1928, the seven-story hotel was the tallest building in Bryan. The LaSalle had one hundred guest rooms, a ballroom and meeting space (both have converted to guest rooms). Several businesses, including a tailor, a barber and a cafe were located on the first floor. Businessman and city leader R. W. Howell built the hotel and the Howell family owned the hotel for over thirty years. J. C. Jacques bought the property in 1959 and converted it to a nursing home. The home was open until 1975 and then became a resident hotel with small apartments until it closed in 1980. The LaSalle sat empty for seventeen years when a private developer with city backing began renovations. The hotel reopened in 2000, which started the revitalization of downtown Bryan.