Historic LaSalle Hotel reopens in Bryan

The historic LaSalle Hotel in downtown Bryan, sister city to University City, has reopened after an extensive renovation as the LaSalle Hotel, a Bryan-University City Tribute Portfolio Hotel, now an independent boutique hotel under the Marriott Hotels & Resorts umbrella. The hotel is managed by Newcastle Hotels & Resorts, based in Ridgefield, Connecticut; the company acquired the hotel in 2022.

“We wanted to provide our guests and the citizens of Bryan with a hotel that is as memorable as the city itself,” said Jeremy Buffam, partner at New Castle Hotels & Resorts, in a prepared statement. “Trains and hotels evoke nostalgia for travel and adventure, which complements today’s travelers’ preference for authentic experiences. The reimagined LaSalle Hotel conveys that awe and reverie in a way we believe visitors will find compelling.”

The LaSalle Hotel’s redesign includes a nod to the railroad, a driving force in Bryan’s economic and cultural history. The hotel’s lobby-level restaurant is aptly named Station 36, and the outdoor event space is called The Platform. 1920s-style decor and style can be seen throughout the hotel.

Buffam continued: “The stories of the people who have walked through these doors, and who brought them here, capture the imagination and connect to our shared past in a unique and alluring way.”

The LaSalle Hotel building does have a rich history. Before opening as a hotel, it was home to Bryan’s first theater center and opera house. When the hotel was completed in 1928, it was known as the tallest building in Bryan. While other buildings in the city have since surpassed its height, the hotel received another designation in 2000 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“LaSalle is an important historic asset in downtown Bryan, and the Newcastle team has done a tremendous job preserving and celebrating LaSalle,” said Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson. “This opening is an important milestone in our efforts to establish the birthplace of Aggieland as a thriving, culturally rich destination for years to come.” The City of Bryan is supporting the project through municipal incentives and historic tax credits.

LaSalle features 55 guest rooms; Station 36 serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; The Boiler Room bar serving up handcrafted cocktails in an elegant atmosphere; indoor/outdoor group accommodations. Station 36, The Boiler Room and The Platform are all available as private event spaces.

lasalle-hotel.com