Michael Cordray is a well-known American home renovator, real estate investor, and television personality recognized for his work on Restoring Galveston in 2026. He has built a strong reputation for restoring historic homes in Galveston, Texas, while preserving their original character and charm. Alongside his wife Ashley Cordray, he co-founded Save 1900, a company dedicated to saving and renovating early 1900s-era properties at risk of demolition.
His work has made him a respected figure in the home renovation industry. In 2026, Michael continues to gain attention for his growing net worth, successful TV career, and impactful renovation projects. This article explores his age, net worth, TV journey, and major renovation work in detail, giving a complete overview of his life and achievements.
Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Michael Cordray |
| Profession | Home Renovator, Real Estate Investor, TV Personality |
| Known For | Restoring Galveston, Save 1900 |
| Age (2026) | Early 40s |
| Birthplace | Galveston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Texas A&M University |
| Spouse | Ashley Cordray |
| Children | Yes |
| Business | Save 1900 |
| Net Worth (2026) | Low seven figures (approx.) |
| TV Career Start | Big Texas Fix |
| Current Show | Restoring Galveston (Magnolia Network) |
| Main Focus | Historic home restoration & preservation |
| Residence | Galveston, Texas |
| Notable Work | Victorian home restorations, community preservation projects |
| Public Image | Authentic, grounded, preservation-focused renovator |
Early Life and Background
Michael Cordray was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, a coastal city known for its rich history and beautiful Victorian-era architecture. Growing up in this environment played a major role in shaping his passion for historic homes and preservation. From an early age, he was surrounded by aging but character-filled properties, which sparked his curiosity about how structures are built and restored. His family environment further supported his interest in hands-on work and problem-solving.
Michael later attended Texas A&M University – Galveston, where he completed his higher education. Although he did not formally study architecture or design, his education helped him develop discipline, planning, and management skills. These early life experiences became the foundation for his future career in real estate development and historic home renovation.
Michael Cordray Age in 2026
Michael Cordray is in his early 40s in 2026, with most sources suggesting he was born around 1982. At this stage of his life, he is at a mature and highly experienced point in his career. His age reflects a strong balance between hands-on construction expertise and long-term business vision. Over the years, he has moved from taking early renovation risks to managing large-scale historic restoration projects with confidence and precision.
In the renovation industry, his experience gives him an advantage in handling complex structural challenges and financial decisions. Rather than rushing into quick property flips, he focuses on preserving historic homes with careful planning and respect for detail. This maturity has helped him build credibility through Restoring Galveston and Save 1900, making him a trusted figure in real estate restoration by 2026.
Education and Early Career
Michael Cordray attended Texas A&M University – Galveston, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. While his formal education was not in architecture or interior design, it gave him strong foundations in discipline, organization, and problem-solving. Before gaining fame on television, he worked in corporate and maritime-related roles, where he developed valuable experience in project management and operational planning.
These early jobs helped him understand structure, timelines, and budget control, which later became essential in renovation projects. Over time, Michael shifted his focus toward real estate, starting with small but high-risk property investments. Through hands-on learning, he built practical construction and restoration skills. This transition marked the beginning of his journey into historic home preservation and eventually led to his success with Save 1900 and Restoring Galveston.
TV Career: Rise to Fame
Michael Cordray’s TV career began with Big Texas Fix, which marked his first major on-screen exposure in the home renovation space. The show highlighted his real-life work restoring historic properties in Galveston, Texas, and introduced audiences to his practical, hands-on approach to renovation. Its success eventually led to a rebranded and expanded version titled Restoring Galveston, which found a strong home on Magnolia Network.
The show focuses on rescuing and transforming neglected historic houses while staying true to their original character. Viewers appreciated its realistic tone, showing both challenges and rewards of restoration work. Michael’s on-screen partnership with his wife, Ashley Cordray, became a key highlight. Their natural chemistry, teamwork, and shared vision for preservation created a family-centered storytelling style that felt authentic and relatable. This genuine approach helped the show gain steady popularity and a loyal audience by 2026.
Save 1900 Business Venture
Save 1900 is the core business venture co-founded by Michael Cordray and his wife Ashley Cordray, built around their shared mission of preserving historic homes in Galveston, Texas. The name “Save 1900” reflects their focus on rescuing properties built around the early 1900s, many of which were at risk of demolition or severe neglect. Their goal is not just renovation, but full historic preservation that maintains the original character and architectural identity of each structure.
The company specializes in distressed Victorian and early-century homes, often dealing with major structural damage, water issues, and long-term abandonment. Michael typically handles the construction, engineering, and project execution side of the work, while Ashley focuses on interior design, staging, and aesthetic direction. Together, they combine technical skill and creative vision, turning forgotten properties into livable, historically respectful homes while strengthening Galveston’s architectural heritage.
Galveston Renovation Projects
Michael Cordray’s renovation projects in Galveston are centered on restoring historic homes that reflect the city’s rich architectural heritage. Most of his work focuses on Victorian-era and early coastal houses that have suffered from neglect, weather damage, or long periods of abandonment. Instead of demolishing these structures, he carefully rebuilds them while preserving original details such as woodwork, facades, and historic layouts. This approach helps maintain the cultural identity of Galveston’s older neighborhoods.
Some of his most notable projects, featured on Restoring Galveston, include large-scale restorations of severely damaged properties that many considered beyond repair. These transformations highlight his ability to combine structural repair with modern livability. Beyond individual homes, his work contributes to broader community preservation efforts by preventing historic buildings from being lost. Through Save 1900, Michael continues to play a key role in protecting Galveston’s architectural history and revitalizing its local housing landscape.
Michael Cordray Net Worth in 2026
- Net Worth (2026): Estimated in the low seven-figure range
- TV Shows: Main income from Restoring Galveston and earlier Big Texas Fix
- Save 1900 Projects: Earnings from restoring and selling historic properties
- Real Estate Investments: Profits from buying, restoring, and managing historic homes in Galveston
- Brand Collaborations: Occasional partnerships and media appearances adding extra income
- Financial Growth Over Time: Steady and consistent growth driven by long-term restoration work and sustainable business model
Lifestyle and Personal Life
Michael Cordray shares a close and stable personal life with his wife, Ashley Cordray, who is also his business partner and co-star on Restoring Galveston. Their marriage is built on shared goals, teamwork, and a mutual passion for historic home restoration. Together, they have children and focus on maintaining a balanced family life despite their busy renovation and television schedules. The couple lives in Galveston, Texas, where they continue to work on preserving historic properties while raising their family in the same community they serve.
Michael is known for keeping a private and grounded lifestyle. He avoids unnecessary media attention and prefers to focus on family, work, and community projects. This balance between professional success and personal stability reflects his down-to-earth personality and long-term commitment to both family values and preservation work.
Public Image and Popularity
Michael Cordray is widely respected for his authentic and down-to-earth public image in the home renovation industry. Unlike many television personalities who focus on glamour or dramatic transformations, he is appreciated for showing the real challenges of restoring historic homes. His reputation as a genuine renovator comes from his hands-on approach, attention to detail, and commitment to preserving architectural history in Galveston, Texas.
Fans of Restoring Galveston admire the realistic nature of his work, including budget limitations, structural problems, and time pressures that are openly shown on screen. This honesty has helped him build a loyal audience that values transparency over perfection. In the home restoration industry, Michael has become an influential figure, inspiring new renovators to focus on preservation, sustainability, and respect for older homes rather than quick flips or purely profit-driven projects.
Challenges and Career Struggles
Michael Cordray’s career has not been without challenges and struggles, especially during his early years in real estate. One of the biggest risks he faced was investing in severely damaged historic properties that required extensive repairs and large financial commitments. Many of these projects were uncertain and placed pressure on his limited resources at the time. He also encountered difficult renovation projects that involved structural instability, weather damage, and long restoration timelines, often requiring creative problem-solving and persistence.
Alongside business challenges, balancing a growing renovation company with family life has been another ongoing responsibility. As a husband, father, and business partner, managing time effectively has always been important. In addition, working in television brings its own pressure, including production schedules, audience expectations, and on-camera responsibilities. Despite these challenges, Michael has continued to stay consistent and focused, turning obstacles into learning experiences that strengthened his career.
Achievements and Milestones
Michael Cordray has achieved several major milestones throughout his career in real estate restoration and television. One of his earliest and most important accomplishments was the launch of Save 1900, a company dedicated to preserving historic homes in Galveston, Texas. This venture established his long-term mission of protecting architectural heritage and gave structure to his renovation work.
His breakthrough came with television exposure through Big Texas Fix and later Restoring Galveston on Magnolia Network. These shows brought his renovation projects to a national audience and significantly increased his recognition. Over the years, Michael has completed numerous successful historic restorations, transforming neglected and damaged properties into livable, beautiful homes. His consistent dedication has earned him respect in the home renovation industry, where he is recognized as a skilled and preservation-focused renovator committed to quality and authenticity.
Conclusion
Michael Cordray’s journey reflects a steady rise built on passion, persistence, and purpose. From his early beginnings in Galveston, Texas, to becoming a recognized home renovator and TV personality, he has stayed committed to preserving historic architecture. His work with Save 1900 and Restoring Galveston highlights a career focused not on quick profits but on saving meaningful structures that represent cultural and historical value.
The importance of his renovation work lies in its impact on both individual homes and the broader Galveston community. By restoring neglected properties, he helps preserve the city’s identity and encourages sustainable development.In 2026, Michael Cordray continues to influence the renovation industry with his authentic approach, proving that dedication to craftsmanship and preservation can create lasting success and inspire future generations of builders and designers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Michael Cordray’s age in 2026?
He is in his early 40s in 2026.
What is Michael Cordray’s net worth in 2026?
His estimated net worth is in the low seven-figure range.
What show is Michael Cordray on?
He appears on Restoring Galveston on Magnolia Network.
What is Save 1900?
It is a historic home restoration company focused on preserving early 1900s properties in Galveston, Texas.
Where does Michael Cordray live?
He lives in Galveston, Texas, with his family.
