In 1922, business partners Golladay Stratton, Sr. and Henry J. Stricker purchased the land where the Stratton stands in Waco, Texas, for their expanding furniture company. Architect Henry L. Spencer designed the Stratton in Neoclassical Revival style, contracting with general contractor S.B. Swigert Construction in 1923. The red brick clad building includes a basement and five stories with riveted steel framing, strong enough to withstand the devastating 1953 Waco tornado. The building’s unique interior features a grand staircase with ornamental woodwork, pressed tin ceiling tiles, louvered warehouse style windows a winged-mezzanine on the second floor. Stratton’s three sons continued the operation of the furniture business until the 1980s. The Stratton building and the furniture company are a reminder of Waco’s original marketplace and downtown district.
The Stratton Today
The Stratton went under historical renovation in 2018, with construction being completed in 2021. The founder of Anthem Group, Peter Ellis, had a vision to make Stratton a unique and charming event space, while also making the upstairs lofts a warm place to call home. The Stratton is also home to BRU Coffee and the Stories Cafe.
