Shamrock Hotel, Hotel skyscraper in Houston, Texas
The Shamrock Hotel is an 18-story skyscraper in Houston with a green tile roof and over 1,100 guest rooms. It housed multiple restaurants and stood near the Texas Medical Center.
The hotel opened on Saint Patrick's Day 1949 when Glenn McCarthy launched a grand celebration drawing 50,000 people and numerous Hollywood stars. This event established it as a symbol of Houston's rise as a luxury destination.
The Emerald Room nightclub drew major performers like Frank Sinatra and became the social hub where Houston's elite gathered for entertainment. The hotel shaped the city's nightlife scene during its heyday.
The property featured modern conveniences of its era, with about one-third of rooms equipped with kitchenettes plus radio and television sets. Visitors should note that accessibility features vary by the building's vintage.
The building featured one of the largest outdoor swimming pools of its era, which was actually used for water skiing demonstrations. This remarkable facility became one of its most talked-about attractions.
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