Two Years After A Catastrophic Fire, The Historic Nutt House Hotel Rises From the Ashes

After its grand reopening in mid-November, the Nutt House Hotel in Granbury continues to hold court on the square, from its corner position at 119 East Bridge Street. Encompassing 130 years of history and having survived a raging fire in March of 2023, the fresh new design of this boutique hotel makes the most of its timeless architecture and brings guests into the modern era with views of the Hood County Courthouse.

What is known today as the Nutt House Hotel, was originally built by the Nutt brothers in 1893 as a mercantile. Three of the four Nutt brothers who emigrated to Texas from Missouri ― Jacob, Jesse, and David Lee Nutt are commemorated on the hotel’s affixed Texas historical marker. The mercantile’s original wagon yard, located just behind the two-story structure, was transformed into a home design store called Wagon Yard in 1977.

The two-story limestone-clad structure was damaged extensively by fire during the final stages of an earlier renovation by then-owner Cindy Thrash Nobles. A new group of investors emerged in the wake of that fire to restore the Nutt House Hotel for a new era. Richard Moore, along with Ike and Trisha Thomas, formed the Nutt House Group and worked with Fort Worth-based interior designer Ro Rynd, of RM Rynd Interiors, to execute a new vision.

Modernizing a Heritage Structure

Ike and Trisha Thomas told Fort Worth Digital Diary, on a recent tour, that in some ways, the fire, which completely gutted the second floor, allowed for a better configuration and layout.

Since the Nutt House Hotel is on the Texas Historical Register, the previous revamp had to adhere to its pre-existing layout. The clean slate allowed for each of the eight upstairs guest suites to flow down two corridors and for the design to more easily incorporate ensuite bathrooms into the design.

Now, all guests of the hotel have access to a front-facing common area with lovely views of the courthouse at the center of the square. A partition wall has now become a fully stocked tea and coffee bar for use by hotel guests.

The team restored as much of the original wood flooring as they could, not to mention the hotel’s iconic cypress columns. The hand-hewn two-story pillars miraculously survived the fire and can be seen in some of the second-floor renovations as well as along a hallway in the first-floor restaurant. They were transported from East Texas by ox cart over 132 years ago, and are a monument to pioneer construction and workmanship.

Classic and Comforting Style

Designer Ro Rynd chose subdued color palettes of dusty blues and comforting greens to blend the historical elements with modern comforts, keeping it classic with crisp white trim and a minimal appeal. Incorporating fixed elements, like the long-antebellum windows, was a challenge she embraced in each of the hotel’s eight boutique rooms ― maximizing each room’s refined and modern footprint as well as its natural light.

Each guest room affords an airy ceiling height, a king-size bed, and a sitting area, some with desks, others with armchairs. Elevated Western design elements include reclaimed wood, along with leather and suede accents.

The bathrooms are dressed with either blueberry or sage green glazed subway tiles. Most have oversized showers, but rooms 202 and 219 add a traditional claw-foot soaking tub to the luxurious mix.

When you visit the Nutt House Hotel, don’t forget to stop and enjoy the artwork. Rynd’s design team has curated a vibrant Texas art collection for the hotel. The gallery at the Nutt House features local artists like James Spurlock, Mike Tabor, and even country music legend, and Fort Worth resident, Pat Green. Kori Green and Ro Rynd are some of the co-owners of Local Design Studios + Gallery in Fort Worth.

Christina’s Restaurant Inside The Nutt House Hotel

The first floor affords a snug waiting area, along with a full restaurant, which, unlike the second floor, is open to the public. Granbury’s popular Christina’s by Gary Folger made the move from across the square, taking up residence at the Nutt House Hotel. Guest rooms can also get room service from the restaurant during their stay.

Christina’s eclectic menu includes lobster avocado salad and ahi poke salad, and entrees range from a bone-in elk chop to parmesan-crusted salmon and prime rib. It is now open five days a week for both brunch and dinner (closed Monday and Tuesday).

The dining room to your left (as you enter) is a bar that cleverly incorporates a glass-fronted wine cellar under the main staircase. And that’s not all you’ll find under glass. During renovations, a water well from the 1860s was uncovered beneath the first-floor men’s room. The fascinating time capsule is now showcased under glass as you enter. This well once provided water to Granbury residents long before the hotel’s doors opened in 1893.

The Nutt family tree is found in the central stairwell leading to the second floor. You’ll also find there an original self-portrait pencil drawing by Josie Nutt (circa 1886). She was Josie Nutt ― Jessie F. Nutt’s daughter, and my husband’s great-grandmother. The portrait is right where it belongs, back at home in Granbury. Like other restored historic boutique hotels in Texas, the Nutt House Hotel is truly a piece of living history for the community.