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 114-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 addresses Design for Integration by incorporating an interior design material pallet that elevates its surrounding environment, while creating an urban oasis within an evolving part of town. Additionally the design team was able to Design for Change by utilizing experience from previous hospitality designs that created a new way of conceptualizing the hotel experience for guests and neighbors. Finally, the project emphasizes Design for Resources because it uses an existing shell of a former inn.