Page 125 - Jan 2013

January 2013 | Business World Magazine | 125
are now part of the Strand National Historic
Landmark District. The Mitchell’s advocacy
was augmented by unprecedented invest-
ment, to date totaling more than $175 mil-
lion, to acquire, rehabilitate and restore more
than 20 of the historical structures. Mitchell
Historic Properties oversees management
of the Mitchell-owned properties which in-
clude almost a fourth of all the buildings in
Galveston’s Strand district, three hotels, and
Pier 21 area along Galveston’s harbor.
According to the State of Texas’ Depart-
ment of Commerce, Galveston Island is cur-
rently the third most popular destination in
Texas. Mitchell’s three hotels: The Tremont
House, Harbor House, and the century old
Hotel Galvez and Spa are popular choic-
es for the millions of visitors to the Island.
The 1894 Grand Opera House, which Ross
credits as both an architectural and acousti-
cal masterpiece, retains its cultural signifi-
cance in the community and its impressive
list of performers. The Mitchell family has
astutely interwoven a blend of commercial
and residential developments in Galveston’s
downtown area that today accommodate
community citizens and a variety of business
operations. Developments over the years
have included retail shops, the Chamber of
Commerce offices, law offices, lofts, apart-
ments, art galleries, a health spa and a variety
of restaurants along the waterfront and in
the downtown area. The Galveston of today,
which still offers ample opportunity to bask
in that history of old, simply would not exist
were it not for the contributions and invest-
ments of the Mitchell family. o