TRENDING
H : How did the Hutton Hotel deal in Nashville come together and again how did that work with Georgetown ? DD : The hotel was for sale by the owner through a broadly marketed process . We participated in a broker-led process . The reason we were so excited about it , and still feel the same way , is that Nashville has a dynamic , long-term and varied growth profile .
The Hutton plays really well to our strengths . It ’ s a hotel that needs some renovation of the physical product . We are going to undertake a pretty significant renovation of the rooms , banquet , catering and other spaces over the next year or two and bring it to life as Nashville ’ s original boutique hotel .
We have some exciting plans that we ’ re working on for the renovations there . It is a hotel that is perfectly located outside of the chaotic energy of Broadway and Nashville and tucked in near the university in Nashville . We love that location . It ’ s very proximate to a vibrant night life activity but not right in the middle of it so you get a little bit of peace and quiet but still have really good energy .
We ’ re working on that project jointly with Georgetown . Like we did with the acquisition — hand-in-glove — every decision was made jointly , like managing the interior design , brand definition process as well as considering the different food and beverage opportunities there .
H : When are these renovations expected to be completed ? DD : We are under planning for the renovations which are likely to begin over the next 12-15 months . We ’ re in the middle of addressing some of the challenges . Nashville is a vibrant place and we want to make sure that we don ’ t displace revenue and also take care of the
First Hospitality repositioned the Hotel LeVeque to become an Autograph Collection by Marriott hotel in downtown Columbus , Ohio . ( guest room below )
supply chain challenges of ordering products . These two attributes are making renovating time a little more complicated and that ’ s why it will take us 12 to 15 months to complete it .
H : Are you adding any dining venues or are you only renovating the existing spaces ? DD : The hotel had previously closed its dining operations . There is a restaurant that is going to be reenergized . We are likely to be adding selected food and beverage outlets in the building itself … it ’ s still under consideration .
It has a music venue called the
Analog . We ’ re looking forward to bringing in new energy to that as well as reestablishing the current food and beverage offerings and bar .
The current restaurant that has been redeveloped has never been opened . It ’ s a nice opportunity for us to bring that to life with the outdoor patio .
H : Does First have its own equity share or strictly manage ?
DD : We ’ re partners in the real estate investment profits and also managing it .
H : What is your third-party
18 hotelsmag . com June 2022