NOT EMBEDDED TA24-S-O-Pages-copy - Flipbook - Page 87
The Karem Shrine Temple, constructed in 1928 in
the Moorish Revival-style, is a contributing property to the Waco Downtown Historic District. Its
transformation into Hotel 1928 after two decades
of dormancy returns to public use a building that
has held signiocance as a gathering place throughout the city9s history. The program comprises 33
guest rooms, three restaurants, a ballroom venue,
and a rooftop terrace. Many existing elements,
including arched openings, clay tile roofs, and
carved Freemason and Shriner emblems, were
preserved, and previously underutilized spaces
were reclaimed to generate usable square footage
without expanding the building9s footprint. The nat
roof was converted into restaurant use by building atop a new sunken structure, and the partial
basement that once housed the coal chute is now a
library with a double staircase and 20-foot ceilings.
9/10 2024
Texas Architect 85
