Thompson . Nashville – sorry Nash this is a five star hotel.
To be clear, I am generally speaking, a hotel lover. I like watching people, imagining where they are from, what brought them to this place, and the delicious thought that others are toiling away – while you are not. I love them so much, I spend a good deal of time in them, in the various neighborhoods in my own home town. Lap top, mobile, note pad, it’s as good an office as any old place, and I find that the general buzz is a welcome and impressive noise. So there you have it. Hotels are my jam.
Tyler and Lauren stand under the lights . Design – Parts and Labor . NYC
But…Thompson Nashville is the jammiest of jams – high tea at the Ritz with crumpets and clotted cream without any of the formality that comes with a British accent. The Southern twang is served up with a 40 ounce Rosé wrapped in a paper bag. Don’t laugh, you’ll be pleading for more of this porch pounder before the last live song is sung for the evening.
The prettiest 40 I ever did see.
21st century lighting in mid-century costume.
It goes without saying that a place as hip as Nash, and Thompson would not disappoint with the design. San Fransisco based Two Roads Hospitality, the owners of the Thompson Brand opened their newest, 12 Story, 224 room, boutique hotel (one of eight) on 20 October 2016, to rave reviews. Located in the Gulch Neighborhood, named literally for the narrow, steep-sided ravine which marks the course of a fast stream, arcing through the city’s south side. The Gulch was previously the site of a very active rail road yard, which brought the majority of the supplies to the city, but became defunct after WWII.
The Marsh Restaurant at Thompson
Now for those that have been paying close attention to me, you know I love edgy design, and I swoon over lighting, and make all manner of bad decisions when this happens. Darlin’ we’re all human. When I tell you that Parts and Labor NYC based design firm combines the sweet and salty scrumptiousness that offers up a veritable explosion for your visual senses, I’m really not doing them justice. Andrew Cohen and Jeremy Levitt offer up “bespoke, bare-knuckled and straight forward approach to high end design”. I feel lightheaded. Brass and glass, texture and layers, pops of color and sophistication, mixed with a little industrial to remind you of the origins of its geographic location. The chug of the train receding into quiet. It’s gritty and glamorous all at the same time. This is Thompson.
Cane Backed Bench inside a bookcase. Considering my options.
I didn’t peak into the rooms, but understand the mini-bar dispenses vinal records. So beyond cool I can’t stand it. Apparently they provide maps that will guide you to neighboring record stores where you can really score. Who doesn’t like an adventure. Stop along the way at any of the restaurants or shops that have found their home inside the re-purposed industrial buildings that line the streets, or make your way back to Thompson’s Marsh House Restaurant, or to its roof top bar where the warm breeze blows, and views of the city are tipped in pink at sunset.
Relaxing Rooftop
Y’all, I’m preparing to book my October visit. Don’t wait, the hotel stock is so low in this booming city despite their hyper-track pursuit to bring rooms on line – the lines are outpacing supply. The Thompson is a sip of perfect whisky in a city where you are the star in the song. I so love being the star…..
Rooftop Restaurant
The final word . wood pendants, capped in silver, surrounded by Crystal … please!
Some of them larger than my first home! Some tucked away in alley’s, others found space when the Maid’s Quarter’s was demolished. Clearly not everyone followed suit as I witnessed a Maid on the street in full mint green uniform, with crisp wide white cuffs, and color, watering the plants outside the mansion that surrounded a tree on a public street. I kid you not – I nearly fell over, and not from the 91 degree heat, though it was brutally hot.
Sculptures abound, mostly procured from buildings that were razed in England, and include a plaque of St. George and the Dragon. I have worked for St. George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island for more than a decade where I first learned of St. George, who curiously isn’t their mascot – the dragon is – but of course the dragon gets slayed. It makes no sense to me, but that’s a fairy tale for you.
When I went to the opening of BostonArt’s newly renovated space, courtesy of my firm Elaine Construction, on Thursday night, I was struck by the breadth of their offerings. Located at 21 Drydock Ave in the Seaport, part of the attraction of the space for me is always going to be its ocean view. To gaze out at the water, even when it’s gray and stormy, grounds me. Reminds me of who I am, and where I came from. Not our origin, though we all emerged from salt water, but rather geographically, from my Cape Cod seaside upbringing. So it’s true that this view, for me, is one of the most beautiful canvases a person could set eyes upon. Having said that, BostonArt gives you cause to be distracted.
