CityNowNext continues its series on Adaptive Reuse projects, this time venturing Southwest of Downtown Nashville to the Hillsboro Village-Belmont area. Born out of New Orleans, The Chloe Nashville is a 19-room boutique hotel and restaurant concept centered around authentic local experiences. Designed by Remick, The now-open hotel is comprised of two historic homes, a new 3-story addition, and a curated amenity experience including 4 bars, a restaurant, and a new social pool deck. The Chole Nashville is located at 1906 Acklen Avenue.
I reached out to Scott Patton, President of WellSpring Builders to get more insight into their experience with building The Chole Nashville. The project was developed by Mainland Companies (Mainland), in partnership with Hospitality Operator LeBLANC+SMITH.
“Today, The Chloe Nashville feels less like a hotel and more like a place that has always belonged here. A big part of what has made The Chloe so special is the life we’ve created around it—from intimate concerts, artists in residence and live music to wellness, pop-ups, brunches and creative collaborations, complemented by a collection of restaurants and bars that have become destinations in their own right. And the result is a destination with a real sense of community—one that feels less like a boutique hotel and more like a neighborhood gathering place that happens to have 19 beautiful rooms.”
Cynthia A. DeFrancesco – Mainland Companies
“The Chloe Nashville gave us the opportunity to transform two historic homes into a contemporary hospitality experience while preserving the scale, character, and history that made the property compelling. The architecture and layered interiors work together to reveal the story gradually, creating an authentic experience that feels personal and deeply rooted in the neighborhood. We were very proud to work with Leblanc Smith and Mainland on this landmark project. “
Remick Moore – Remick Architecture
Q&A
Can you share a little about how you came across the project and what about it drew you to it?
We have a nearly decade-long relationship with Mainland Companies and had completed the Elliott School Condominiums and Madison Street Rowhomes with them in Germantown. One reason we enjoy working with Mainland is that they consistently gravitate toward interesting projects with a great deal of character.
We knew how much we enjoyed working with their team. We knew the size and complexity of the project aligned well with our capabilities, and it was clear from the beginning that The Chloe would be a distinctive project—one that would contribute something special to Hillsboro Village and be enjoyed by both visitors and the Nashville community.
What were some of the things you considered with this project, given the adaptive reuse and new addition? Is this a product type you have a lot of experience with?
Adaptive reuse, however, is probably the type of construction for which we’re best known. Owners and design teams value the experience and resiliency we bring to these projects. They trust us to anticipate challenges where possible and to respond creatively, collaboratively and fairly when unforeseen conditions arise—as they inevitably do in older buildings.
The Chloe involved restoring and repurposing two existing 1920s Craftsman cottages while constructing a new three-story addition. The site was extremely constrained, making planning and logistics especially important. On one side, the addition was constructed within roughly three feet of an occupied neighboring building with a metal exterior that could have been easily damaged. Protecting that property while maintaining access, sequencing the work and keeping the project moving required careful coordination throughout construction.
Were there any components or elements of the existing residential structures that presented challenges you were able to turn into opportunities for the owner?
The existing residential structures were central to the identity of the project, so the objective was not simply to work around their limitations. It was to preserve the character that made them valuable while adapting them to meet the requirements of a modern boutique hotel, restaurant and bar. That balance required the team to evaluate existing conditions carefully and solve problems without losing the residential scale and historic character that distinguish The Chloe. In the cases of the building façade and the original floors, conditions that initially appeared to be constraints ultimately helped produce spaces that feel more personal and authentic than they would have in an entirely new building.
How important was coordination with the architect and the client on this project?
Mainland’s office is directly across the street from The Chloe, so the project was quite literally being completed in full view of our client. There is an added level of accountability in knowing the owner may be looking at the jobsite through the office window while having coffee and batching morning email. Mainland gave our team the latitude to manage the work, which reflected the trust we had built together over several projects.
We had also worked with Remick Architecture previously, but our collaboration on The Chloe strengthened that relationship considerably. Remick and their consultants were consistently responsive and helpful in resolving the unforeseen conditions that arose during construction. Everyone remained focused on delivering the best possible project. It was not uncommon for an issue to be identified in the morning and for WellSpring, the design team and the owner to be together on site that afternoon evaluating options and making a decision. That level of accessibility and cooperation made a meaningful difference.
Is there anything else you would like to share regarding the project?
We want to be more than a contractor executing a set of construction documents. We want to understand what makes a project important to the owner, anticipate and solve problems, communicate openly and protect the relationships involved while delivering an exceptional finished product. That approach is also why repeat clients are such an important part of our business.
Trust is earned over time—by being responsive, fair and accountable, particularly when a project becomes complicated. We are proud of the trust Mainland placed in us, proud of the way the entire project team worked together and especially proud to have helped create a place as distinctive as The Chloe.
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