Galveston Regional Chamber to Establish Permanent Home on Strand Street
GALVESTON, TX – April 28, 2026 – Founded in 1845 by some of the most influential leaders of the Republic of Texas—including Samuel May Williams, Michel B. Menard, John Seabrook Sydnor, L. M. Hitchcock, and Thomas F. McKinney—the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, Texas’ oldest Chamber, is establishing a permanent home in the very district where commerce in Texas first flourished.
After decades of leasing office space, the Chamber will soon call Strand Street home with the purchase of the first floor of a building in Galveston’s Strand National Historic Landmark District—long recognized as the island’s historic center of commerce, trade, and entrepreneurship.
The Galveston Chamber is the new owner of the first floor of the historic 1870 Magale Building, located at 2313 Strand. The space was purchased from McLeod Properties, which has owned the building for 50 years.
“For 181 years, this Chamber has stood at the center of business leadership in Texas. Owning a permanent home on The Strand—where so much of our state’s early commerce began—honors our past while securing our future,” said Gina Spagnola, President and CEO of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. “It allows us to provide greater stability and long-term value for our members and partners, while continuing to invest in the community we serve. We’re also excited to create a welcoming space for visitors in one of Galveston’s most iconic locations.”
The new space will accommodate staff offices, a boardroom for training and meetings, and the Galveston Visitors Center, operated by the Park Board.
“We’re proud to be part of the preservation and revitalization of Galveston’s Historic Strand District,” said Keith Gray, Chair of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This investment reflects our respect for Galveston’s rich history while supporting its future growth. Establishing a permanent home here—where generations of business leaders built the foundation of Texas commerce—reinforces the Chamber’s role as both a steward of our legacy and a driver of our future.”
Renovations to the first floor will begin in a few months with estimated completion in January 2027. The Chamber aims to be in its new offices in late January with a Grand Opening celebration planned for February 3, 2027—the anniversary of the signing of its Articles of Incorporation in the Republic of Texas. On that day, we will not only open our doors but honor the enduring vision of the great Texans who built the foundation of commerce in our state and continue to inspire our work today.
About the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1845, the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce is the oldest chamber of commerce in Texas and proudly holds a Five-Star Accreditation. The Chamber is dedicated to promoting and advocating for business and community development, strengthening the local economy, and fostering leadership to ensure a vibrant and thriving Galveston.
