We were fortunate enough to find some of the original stain glass from The Russell Street Church of Christ and were able to frame it up with lights to bring it back to life. Come take a picture with our beautiful stained glass!
ORIGINAL STAINED GLASS REJUVENATED!
DOLLY IS MAKING AN IMPRESSION AT THE RUSSELL NASHVILLE!
Our friends at Maplebuilt put together a beautiful mosaic of Dolly Parton, made of over 20,000 pieces of pink tile. Come by and get a picture with Dolly!!!!
SENATOR BILL FRIST RECORDS HIS PODCAST IN OUR PODCAST STUDIO
The Russell Nashville Hotel had the honor of hosting Senator Bill Frist to record his podcast, A Second Opinion, in our Podcast Studio last week. For those who do not know, Senator Frist is an American physician, businessman, and politician. He began his career as a heart and lung transplant surgeon. Later he served two terms as a US Senator representing Tennessee and was the Senate Majority Leader from 2003 to 2007. He is also the son of Thomas Frist, the founder of HCA.
Senator Frist’s podcast focuses on recent events and pressing topics in America, bringing in influential leaders to discuss and educate others on the need for change or action.
Come visit The Russell Nashville and use our podcast room to record your own podcast!
WKRN WITH A GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT THE RUSSELL’S PHILANTHROPIC MISSION
WKRN did a great piece where Brittany Wilson gave a great interview about The Russell’s philanthropic mission. Check out the article by Erica Francis at the link below:
“NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A historic landmark in East Nashville is turning heads and filling hearts.
The 115-year-old church, most recently known as Life Church International, was recently converted into a boutique hotel. It opened on June 5.
Its 23 rooms give guests a place to rest with character. With 11 different decor styles to choose from, you won’t find much black or white. Instead, rooms are outfitted with unique items like headboards.
The church’s original stained glass was also refurbished.
“You’re not getting the typical experience you could get at any big chain hotel,” said hotel manager Brittany Wilson. “You’re getting to see some of that uniqueness.”
The best part is the Russell Hotel is giving back. A weekend stay there provides 16 meals and 16 beds for those in Nashville experiencing homelessness as part of their “Rooms for Rooms” program.
“We truly want to provide for our guests where they feel like locals, and part of feeling like a local is being a part of the community and helping it out,” Wilson said.
Likewise, 5% of the revenue from each stay is donated to local non-profits like the Nashville Rescue Mission and Shower Up.
“When you’re staying here, you’re truly experiencing East Nashville,” she said.
Room rates vary, but most cost around $115 per night on the weekend. The penthouse can cost up to $300 a night.”
DOMINO WITH A GREAT POST ABOUT THE RUSSELL NASHVILLE HOTEL
Lydia Geisel wrote a great article about The Russell Nashville Hotel. Take a look below:
“Saints, sinners, and everyone in between is welcome at the Russell, a new boutique hotel in East Nashville. The 23-room destination, which opened its doors earlier this month, isn’t just another cookie-cutter box. Once upon a time, this quirky, colorful space was a church. If the confessional-style call rooms weren’t a dead giveaway, the 16-foot-round stained-glass window in the lobby will make you a believer.
“The stained-glass windows were the focal point,” says Katie Vance, interior design director at Powell Architecture + Building Studio. The local firm led the concept, design, and construction of the Russell. “As an homage to the church’s beginnings and an homage to the neighborhood, we really wanted to showcase color,” she adds.
The stained-glass windows inspired each of the four main color schemes used for the guest rooms: pink and red, purple and aqua, blue and orange, and green and yellow. The designers elevated the high-contrast hues by taking a tone-on-tone approach. “You’ve got the base color and then a darker jewel tone,” says Vance. “To give it a pop, we took the boldest color in that scheme and used it in the bathroom.”
Both a design firm and boutique construction company, Powell was able to gather inspiration under one roof. “It really allows us to bring our precise vision to life, rather than handing it off to someone who hasn’t seen the design process play out,” says Luke Tidwell, partner and head of business development.
Cheeky references to the building’s storied past can be found throughout. The numbered markers that announce each guest room, for instance, are divided by a colon, like biblical scripture. Other ecclesiastical nods include double-arched decorative mirrors, wood pews for headboards, and a neon sign that reads “#Blessed.”
CHECK OUT WHERE OUR SISTER HOTEL, 506 LOFTS, WAS MENTIONED IN CONDE NASTE AS ONE OF NASHVILLE’S BEST AIRBNBS
Our friend, Meredith Carey, rated 506 Lofts as the best hotel for business travelers with the follow blurb:
“For the Business Traveler
This industrial loft is among a variety of rentals in one of downtown Nashville’s century-old buildings—and is run by local company Anchor Rentals, which just opened a boutique hotel in a renovated East Nashville church. What that means for business travelers is that they won’t have to worry about hosts cancelling or needing the space, since it’s always open for visitors. This particular apartment, with its ultra-high ceilings, multiple workspaces, and well-equipped kitchen (which includes a microwave, coffee machine, and toaster oven for quick breakfasts), is a great spot for weekday visitors. It’s also right in the heart of downtown, which means easy access to the surrounding offices and Broadway, should you want to get a taste of the honky tonks after work. It’s also an Airbnb Plus, so you don’t have to pack shampoo, soap, and the like—they’ll already be in the bathroom.”
Read the rest of the article here:
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-airbnbs-in-nashville
BEST PLACES FOR LUNCH AROUND THE RUSSELL NASHVILLE HOTEL
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Edley’s is a Nashville staple serving up cold drinks and delicious southern-style dishes. Edley’s is known for their bbq but do not pass up the delicious sides and desserts. Pro tip – leave time for a nap after this meal, you’ll need it!
Boom-Bozz
Boom-Bozz is a family pizza company that has subsisted off of creating gourmet pizzas with premium ingredients. It has a wild selection of craft beers to go along with its pizza offerings. A great place to spend a long Friday lunch.
Greko Greek Street Food
One of our personal favorites in East Nashville, Greko Greet Street Food is a delicious fast casual restaurant, bringing an eclectic menu to the south. Their take on the Greek cuisine is a fantastic compliment to any Nashville excursion.
I Dream of Weenie
Located in the heart of East Nashville’s 5-points, I Dream of Weenie is known both for its quirky modified VW bus and yummy signature charcoal-grilled weenies. It will add quite the flare and authenticity to your experience.
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish is owned by Bolton Mathews, this restaurant can trace its roots way back. The late Bolton Polk—Mathews’ uncle and hot chicken mentor – Before his death, he passed his recipe on to his nephew. “Our chicken is spicy, but it won’t cause you to lose your composure,” is how Bolton’s manager, Dollye describes it.
JUST A FEW MORE PICTURES OF THE RUSSELL NASHVILLE HOTEL TO BRAG ON
We here at the Russell Nashville Hotel are pretty humble, but sometimes, when the light shines just right, you have to show off your stuff.
SOUTHERN LIVING WRITES ABOUT THE RUSSELL
Our friends at Southern Living wrote a great article about the transformation of The Russell Nashville Hotel and the goal of the business.
You can read the text below or follow the link to read the story by our friend Perri Ormont Blumberg:
https://www.southernliving.com/news/the-russell-east-nashville-hotel-opened-june-2019
“Love staying in unique places on vacation? Well, if you’ve knocked vacationing in a houseboat and treehouse, do we have something for you: The Russell in East Nashville.
Housed inside a church erected in 1904, the 23-room boutique hotel opened its doors to guests on June 5th. The hotel’s designers took meticulous care to preserve several elements from the original structure, like giant stained glass windows, exposed beams, and a soaring 40-foot-tall ceiling.
Once you’re done enjoying Nashville for the day, have some fun in the property’s “smile booth” before you rest your head beneath a headboard that is fashioned from the church’s pews. For your accommodations, rooms range from suites to skylight rooms, with each room featuring unique flourishes and decor.
A recent search for a reservation in June yielded nightly rates from $155 for a room to $260 a night for the penthouse suite. A substantial portion of each night’s stay at the hotel goes to local organizations helping the homeless.
You can learn more about the property or book your stay at russellnashville.com.
Who’s ready to join us for a good time in Music City?”
WITH THE OPENING ONE DAY AWAY – THE RUSSELL NASHVILLE HOTEL IS GRABBING HEADLINES
Check out the Nashville Business Journal’s article with a virtual tour of the Russell Nashville Hotel with Marq Burnett and Martin Cherry:
“When guests enter The Russell Hotel, they won’t be greeted with your typical check-in desk.
While there is a mock front desk, there won’t be anyone manning the area, reflecting the Russell’s technology-based experience. Instead, guests use their smartphones to check in and out.
The Russell, a 23-room boutique hotel in East Nashville, was constructed in the former Cumberland Presbyterian Church, built in 1904. The first guests are scheduled to check in June 5.
Among the 23 rooms, eight are single beds while 15 have multiple sleeping options, including two suites.
Depending on the day of the week, rooms at The Russell range between $150 and $400 a night.
The Russell blends elements from the church, like some of the building’s original stained glass and pews as headboards in the majority of the rooms. Room numbers are styled as bible verses. Exposed brick in certain parts of the hotel give it a modern, rustic feel. There’s an old-school luggage lift on the first floor for guests who prefer not to haul their belongings upstairs.
For a look inside, check out the slideshow with this story.
Micah Lacher, president of Anchor Investments, which developed The Russell, said the build-out represented a $7 million investment.
The Russell also features a photo booth and an on-site podcasting recording studio for guests or visitors.
Each night’s stay supports local nonprofits that serve homeless people. An average weekend stay would provide “16 warm meals and a bed,” according to The Russell’s website.”
LOCAL ARTISAN TOUCHES ARE EVERYWHERE IN THE RUSSELL NASHVILLE HOTEL
At the Russell we believe in the community we are in and it is evident in how the hotel was built. We used metal working craftsmen to build the armoires in the rooms, we used local artists to paint the murals on the walls, and even used our friends at Maplebuilt to build the mirrors in the bathrooms. We want to support the local community in Nashville and believe a large part of that charge is to use local small businesses to construct the hotel itself.
Come check out the beautiful work our local artisans have done and stay in The Russell Nashville Hotel!
HISTORICAL NOTES IN THE RUSSELL NASHVILLE HOTEL
The Russell Nashville Hotel is designed to preserve and utilize all of the best features of the 115 year old structure it is built within. You look everywhere from the entrance, to the bathrooms, to the rooms themselves and find historical notes from the original building. Every one of these features is utilized to emphasis the importance of the structure to the community, but more importantly to remember the people who filled the church to build the neighborhood to what it is today.
