Kennedy Turns 12 - Tour of the Baker 12-18-2021

 December 18th Kennedy turned 12! We started the day with breakfast at Happy Days. Remi came in the night before and she will be here through Christmas.

After breakfast we took a tour of the Baker Hotel. I've not toured the Baker in many years!

We begin on the ground floor of the hotel. This area was the Pharmacy when the Baker was open.

Because this is an active construction site we each have to wear a hard hat during the tour. Our tour guide is the daughter of one of the investors. She is on Doyle's right. Her name is also Remi and her birthday was the day before Kennedy's. We also had Vanessa's best friend Stevi, her son Legend and BF Eric with us. They are wearing the gray shirts and her son is next to her.

These are chandeliers that hung in the Baker. During renovations they discovered the lights still work and will be hung again. Aren't they beautiful!

These are outdoor light fixtures before and after clean up.

This area was the kitchen

And we begin our assent. These beautiful stairs take us to the Mezzanine.

 The doors to the right of the photo are the ones the general public will walk through into the hotel. With just a little imagination you can see how grand this room was at one time and will be again!

Our guide, Remi is explaining about the square sculpture pieces that once cleaned will go back on these pillars.

 

Remi is taller than when we saw her last but Kennedy is still taller!

Isn't this cool?! They call this the "groomsmen's" room.

See that upside down dome in the ceiling. When you stand right in the center underneath it the sound is so weird! You only hear it when you're standing in that spot! 

Overlooking the Mezzanine. is Kashton, Remi and Kennedy.

Kashton in the Groomsmen balcony.

The suspended swimming pool. It will be restored as well.  

Climbing more stairs!

On the floor that has had renovation.

The hotel was built in 1929. The hotel rooms were very small. It will have half as many rooms as they are taking two to make one but they are leave a few rooms the original size so that the hotel is not just for the elite.

This is one of the renovated rooms.

There is still a lot of work to be done.

View from the Baker overlooking downtown. You can see the "Crazy" sign over the highway. I am looking toward the West.

Remi, Korin and Vanessa looking out one of the windows in what used to be the gymnasium. They are going to make it a room for a venue such as weddings.

Inside Mr. Baker's suite.

The hotel was built during Prohibition. Doyle is standing in a closet that has a hidden door for alcohol.

 We are in what is known as the "cloud" room. This room will one day be exquisite!

Our guide took this picture. Not sure why she thought she had to be so far away!

When I had toured the Baker years ago we didn't go to this floor. 

Going to the tower!

Inside the tower, the highest point of the Baker!

Looking down the spiral stairs.

One last picture with our tour guide Remi. Her boyfriend took this one. It was a great tour. I really enjoyed it! I am so excited to see what it looks like when they are finished. Projected opening is 2024.

If you are interested in following the progress you can do that here.

After the tour, Vanessa took Kennedy and Remi for manicures and then to shop at a mall in Fort Worth.

Have a good one!