Posted on Mar 18, 2021
A large group turned out Wednesday to hear Baker Hotel & Spa principal investor and construction manager Mark Rawlings, pictured above right with program chair Cory Crenshaw, talk about the historic restoration project.

Mark brought photos showing the progress on the interior and exterior. What most people will see is after decades of looking at 14 stories of broken windows and deterioration all of the exterior windows have all been restored and replaced. The bell tower exterior has had new framing and paint, and the 90-year-old hotel once again glistens in the sunlight and shines at night with new outside lighting.

Inside nearly 1,000 construction roll-offs full of debris have been removed. Work is underway to enlarge most of the hotel's previous 450 rooms that will create about 167 rooms. Much of the work is currently focused on electrical and plumbing. Mark said there are some 10 miles of wire and workers are pulling, identifying tagging all of that wiring.

Many of Mark's photos showed a lot of the old lighting fixtures, some that are have been cleaned are being restored, as well showing all of the old bathroom and other fixtures, many of which will likely be sold and replaced with newer fixtures and components. Because the hotel property is a registered historic landmark, Mark works closely with the Texas Historical Commission to ensure restoration meets its guidelines to preserve the original look as much as possible for a building just over 100 years ago.

The construction project, slowed but not stopped by COVID this past year, is now on track for a hopeful 2024 completion. The hotel will feature an upscale restaurant, ballrooms, convention and meeting rooms to host weddings, parties, conventions and more. Overall, the approximately $70 million project is the largest restoration of a historic property in Texas history.

The restoration project became the vision and dream of Southlake developer and investor Laird Fairchild, who brought in partner Chad Patton. They then involved Mark as the general contractor, who became a principal investor not only in the project but has also invested personally in the community and has truly become β€œone of us.” Local developer and investor Randy Nix joined the principal investment team several years ago along with another major North Texas developer and investor G. Brint Ryan.

They all invested tens thousands – hundreds of thousands – of their personal funds on the project before they even owned the property or had the go-ahead to begin construction. They all believe not only in the project, but in Mineral Wells. The citizens of Mineral Wells are participating in the project through public financing in the form of up to $4 million in funding approved by voters and downtown tax-increment refinancing funds for infrastructure upgrades.

Thanks, Mark, for your amazing leadership and project work, and to the hotel investment team and city officials for making this happen. We can't wait for the grand lady to once again open in her new beauty and glory. Follow the story and progress at https://thebakerhotelandspa.com/.

Rotary Club meets at noon every Wednesday at Southside Church of Christ. Meetings are for members, prospective members and invited guests. Lunches are catered by Sadie's Eats.