The Holston House is a restoration and renovation of an Art Deco design by Marr and Holman, the most recognized architecture firm in the Southeast during that period. The original structure, completed in 1929, was one of Nashville’s premier hotels before its conversion into war housing in the 1940s and then apartment housing in the 1970s. The 13-story, 125,000 square feet of renovation and new addition space includes 191 guest rooms and over 2,000 square feet of meeting space, plus a neighborhood restaurant, full-service bar, fitness center and rooftop amenity deck with a pool and bar.
The most unique aspect of the project was the existing condition of the historic structure, and a main design challenge was to bring 21st Century amenities to a building on the historic registry while utilizing federal tax credits. Meeting modern accessibility standards was also challenging, as the multi-level historic design included countless preserved marble staircases but few elevators and ramps. Two new elevators were added to satisfy modern demands.
Conscientious design work aimed to preserve as many of the original programmatic elements as possible so that today’s guests can experience the design and décor of the 1920s. Creative design techniques—like repurposing an existing garage into a meeting concourse level—also allowed for the inclusion of contemporary amenities without damaging important historical features. The completed restoration and addition of modern amenities will enhance Holston House for decades to come.
© Taggart Cojan Sorensen
