Bassett Tower in downtown El Paso to become hotel
By Associated Press
Sep 17, 2014 8:58 AM CDT

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The O.T. Bassett Tower office building in downtown El Paso will be converted into a 100-room boutique hotel.

Officials with property owner Bassett Partners and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. on Tuesday announced the agreement. No cost estimate was released for renovating the 15-story art deco-style structure that will become a Starwood Aloft Hotel.

The Bassett Tower opened in 1930. The structure has been mostly vacant since 2007, with some retail space in use on the street level.

Authorities hope to open the Starwood Aloft Hotel by late 2016 or early 2017.