Project spotlight

Noelle, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Nashville, TN

The Tribute portfolio is a family of independent boutique hotels bound by their Indie spirit and heart for connecting people and places.

Photos: Emily Dorio

Design: Dryden

Purchaser: Carver & Associates

Infusing local charm with luxurious furnishings

Noelle, tucked inside a completely renovated 1930s building, isn’t your standard renovated hotel. Rather, it doubles as an art experience.

Local artists designed the space and the art, drawing on inspiration from notable Nashvillians. As soon as you walk in, you’ll notice the vibe is different as you see cool art and playful displays mingling elegantly with the original architecture.

Meet a team member

Alma Alicea

What is your position and tenure at Bryan Ashley?

I am a Project Developer, and I’ve been with the team for a year and a half.

What’s your favorite part of your role?

I enjoy many parts of my role, but completing and submitting the final quote to the customer is my favorite. When everything comes together it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

What is your favorite pastime?

I enjoy going to the beach, spending time with friends and my daughters, and going places with my husband that we haven’t been to.

Lorine Hanson, NCIDQ VP of Interior Design Steelman Partners

About Steelman Partners

Established in 1987, Steelman Partners has positioned itself as the leading entertainment architecture firm.

Steelman Partners, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international firm specializing in the multi-disciplinary facets of entertainment architecture, interior design, graphic design, planning, theater design, 3D design, and lighting. The company currently has international offices in Zhuhai, Macau, Ho Chi Minh, Amsterdam, and Phnom Penh.

Steelman Partners embraces all aspects of the design process from project viability, revenue projections, site location, thematic considerations, conceptual design, programming, and supporting the client’s marketing efforts.

What are a couple of questions that are really important to ask before engaging in a design project?

What is the project scope and expectations for the schedule; this will enable our firm to implement proper staffing and ensure we are able to provide the best team for the job. Budget is also very important to define at the very start of the project so all parties are on the same page from the beginning.

The check-in desk is inside the gift shop, and the coffee shop is a work of art in itself. With 224-rooms, the Noelle offers guests a truly authentic art-driven experience curated by leaders of Nashville’s thriving creative community. With quaint rooms, marble bathrooms and hand-crafted furniture, every aspect of this boutique hotel infuses local charm with luxury.

What is the most memorable hospitality experience you’ve had?

My most memorable experience has to be my very first project in Las Vegas, Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill at Harrah’s Las Vegas. This is memorable for many reasons — the project scope, the seasoned owners group, and the amazing team at Steelman Partners who made the project such a huge success. will never forget the lasting colleague, vendor, and consultant relationships that have shaped how I manage through projects to this day.

Any words of wisdom for new designers?

Never be afraid to fight for your design and always keep creative ideas in your back pocket. Having an arsenal of design concepts, details, and finish materials will allow you to bring so much to the design table; even if an idea is not right for this project, it may work for the next. Never stop creating for the next project in your future!

Where do you find design inspiration?

Everywhere! Although much of my inspiration for patterns, textures, and color theory originates from the fashion industry, I keep up on the latest design trends, innovative materials, and finish details to consider for future projects.

What is one thing that our industry often gets wrong in hospitality design?

That we have unlimited budgets! Hospitality designers are able to design within a set and sometimes very tight budget. If additional value analyses are required after the design concept is approved; we are able to provide insight and direction on how to keep the same concept without sacrificing the original design.