Drift Nashville

Project Statement

Recently opened in the heart of the East Bank, Drift Nashville introduces a design-forward lodging option to the developing district, located just east of the Cumberland River. The 115-key hotel is home to spacious multi-room suites, a ground-level pool with neighboring cabanas, three food and beverage concepts helmed by Nashville entrepreneur Alexis Soler, and a seventh-floor penthouse with sweeping skyline views. A full-scale renovation has breathed new life into the 1960s-era inn, integrating lush Baja-inspired interiors while maintaining the integrity of the building’s mid-century architecture.

Guest rooms were designed to create an atmosphere of curated comfortability, featuring custom walnut beds and locally made custom artwork. Each room offers a relaxing sanctuary, showcasing the distinctive style that defines the Drift Hotels brand. The crown jewel of Drift Nashville is the breathtaking seventh-floor penthouse. Perched atop the hotel like a bird’s nest, the expansive 1,800-square-foot space provides a refined escape from the city with three king beds and three bathrooms, including a primary bathroom with a free-standing bathtub and a separate powder room. The penthouse also features a living room, a large outdoor balcony, and an outdoor dining and lounge area with sweeping views of the Nashville skyline.

Framework for Design Excellence Narrative

The Drift Hotel is a transformative adaptive reuse project that reimagines a 1965 motor inn into an 87-room boutique hotel in Nashville’s East Bank district. The design blends minimalist modernism with warm, regionally inspired details, emphasizing craftsmanship, cultural integration, and hospitality tailored to both locals and visitors.


Design for Integration: The original mid-century structure was preserved and enhanced with a clean white façade and deep green accents. Interior palettes draw from natural tones—rust, forest green, terracotta—and are expressed through materials like wood, leather, terrazzo, and handcrafted tile. The design incorporates custom furniture, local art, and bespoke finishes, ensuring the hotel reflects the identity and creativity of the surrounding community.

Design for Economy: Retaining and repurposing the existing building significantly reduced the environmental and financial impact of construction. Cost-effective design strategies focused on durability and timeless materials. The project emphasized working with local makers and sourcing materials regionally to maximize economic and ecological benefits.

Design for Change: Positioned in a formerly underutilized area, the hotel contributes to the district’s revitalization. Its flexible layout includes multi-room suites with kitchenettes, a ground-level pool and cabanas, and diverse food and beverage offerings that invite community interaction. Designed to accommodate a range of uses and users, the project serves as a model for how hospitality spaces can evolve with neighborhood needs. By rethinking an outdated structure through thoughtful, place-based design, the Drift Hotel exemplifies how architecture can support cultural continuity, sustainability, and inclusive urban renewal. PROJECT LOCATION 10 Interstate Dr, Nashville, TN 37213