Come Stay A While

By Di Johnson

What was once an eyesore of a neglected old hotel has been given new life in Gun Barrel City. Multi-family property investor Tim Gallagher of Greyman Properties was doing business in the area, having just bought a property in Seven Points, and was on the lookout for new investment opportunities.

“I just kept driving by that old hotel, which looked abandoned,” Gallagher said. Finally, he decided to speak to his broker about buying and renovating the hotel; the building officially belonged to Greyman Properties in March 2022.

With long-term housing rentals being Greyman’s primary business model, the group considered having the property rezoned to become apartments but ultimately decided to take on a new venture and retain the hotel status.

The hotel, estimated to have been built in the ‘70s or ‘80s, had been left sitting unoccupied for several years before Greyman Properties’ acquisition and there was much to be done. “It was horrible. It was very run-down. There were not structural problems, but the interior,” Gallagher said. “It just had to be gutted. It needed complete renovation.”

The renovation began with bringing everything in the building up to code, including the electricity and plumbing. Gallagher says after years of neglect, there were severe plumbing issues in the building which required the facade to be removed on the back wall to fix.

To get the building up to ADA code, the group redesigned the original manager’s quarters and office area into two large disabled-accessible suites; the redesigned space also afforded the structure an additional room, bringing the building from its original 22 rooms to 25.

Given the group’s background in multi-family rentals, it was decided to make the hotel a long-term stay location, rather than a traditional hotel. While shorter stays are welcomed, the hotel is designed for those who need a home away from home while on work assignment, are in the process of moving, or simply need an extended break.

The group wanted the space to have many amenities of an apartment with the convenience of a hotel, so many modern, homey features such as a comfortable living space, a full kitchenette equipped with a fullsize refrigerator, stovetop and more, flat-screen televisions, free cable television and high-speed Wi-Fi were added in each room.

Housekeeping maintains the rooms twice per week for long-term stays, and towels and linens are freely given upon request. The units are also pet friendly for small animals, so guests can bring their furry companions with them for a small fee.

Also to this end, the hotel has a business plan which promotes family, safety and comfort above all else. The Extended Stay does not accept cash and rooms are only available if booked in advance, keeping nefarious activities away and guests comfortable.

Gallagher says he’s thankful to be a business owner in such a welcoming community. During the renovation, locals and officials would often stop by to see when opening day was or to simply thank the group for turning an old unkempt eyesore into something vibrant that contributes to the local economy.

“We really appreciate that we found an embracing town like Gun Barrel City and the people there,” Gallagher says. “They always encouraged us… The biggest thing is to see the community itself come over and actually stay in it. It’s delightful to be in a town that cares about the businesses in their community. I’m overwhelmed and I’m very happy with the decision to buy the hotel and to be a member of the community.”

Extended Stay Gun Barrel City is located at 2916 W Main Street and can be reached at (903) 222-3242. For booking, visit www.esgbctx.com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.