Cortez Hotel
Why it's listed
Rising four stories above downtown Weslaco, the Cortez Hotel was completed in 1928 at the corner of Texas Avenue and US 83. Designed by San Antonio architect Paul G. Silber and built by Walsh and Burney, it is a U-plan building wrapped around a planted courtyard, with beige stucco walls, red tile parapet details and ground-floor storefronts. Weslaco was less than ten years old when the hotel opened, and it quickly became the town's social and commercial hub. Cotton and produce buyers arrived by train and stayed there, winter visitors filled its rooms, and its ballroom hosted weddings, proms, club luncheons and community events. Its Spanish-influenced look set the pattern for the downtown, which was later remodeled in a similar style. The hotel declined after passenger rail service ended in the 1960s, but a 1997-1998 rehabilitation converted it to offices, restaurants and event space. It remains the tallest building in town and a recognized symbol of Weslaco.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hotel was the social and commercial center of Weslaco from its opening in 1928, hosting traveling buyers, winter visitors and local events. Its Spanish-influenced design set the theme for Texas Avenue's downtown. It remains the tallest building in town and a symbol of the city. It is listed under Criterion A in the area of commerce at the local level.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04001397, listed December 23, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 260 S. Texas Ave., Weslaco |
|---|---|
| County | Hidalgo County |
| Listed | December 23, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04001397 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928-1954 |
| Architect / builder | Paul G. Silber, architect; Walsh and Burney, builder |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in 1997-1998 after falling into disrepair and is now a mixed-use building with offices, restaurants, commercial spaces and a banquet ballroom, renamed Villa de Cortez. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 26.16257, -97.99077 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04001397.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107318972
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.