Tempo by Hilton, Nashville

Tempo Nashville’s design exudes the dynamic spirit of Nashville and harmonizes with the city’s architectural vernacular while introducing an elevated experience. Rooted in classical Southern styles such as Greek Revival, Colonial, and Victorian, Nashville’s architecture has been preserved throughout its neighborhoods.

The interior design draws inspiration from the city’s Art Deco influences, as seen in iconic public buildings throughout the city from the early 20th century. The hotel incorporates Art Deco-inspired features, including strong geometric lines, stylized motifs, and rich colors, which celebrate the city’s diverse architectural landscape and heritage.

A design story unfolds for Tempo Nashville by tapping into the various facets that make Nashville unique—its art, history, architecture, and, of course, music. The client proposed the idea of creating an imagined character, Mary Louise, to inspire the design concept. Envisioned as an iconic figure of the 1950s with a penchant for Art Deco aesthetics yet living in the Mod period, her character and lifestyle served as the inspiration for the hotel, bringing her spirit to life and adding a unique storytelling layer to the design. A cultural pioneer in her time, Mary Louise embodies both youthful confidence and soulful elegance. She is a mix of glamour and charm, much like the city itself, and was an unstoppable force in the Nashville scene who also made her mark on the fashion pages of her era.

Mary Louise’s personality influences every aspect of the interior design, from the materials to colors and textures. Tempo Nashville feels thoughtfully curated, with vibrant jewel-toned velvets and varying textures extensively sourced from local and European manufacturers so that no color is repeated in the hotel, and each area has a unique identity. Metals such as brass, bronze, and black accents offer an elegant, nostalgia-driven touch, reflecting Art Deco authenticity while maintaining a current appeal. Chandeliers evoke the style of her earrings, and velvets recall her evening wear, all reflecting her discerning style.

The artistic details extend into the public areas and guestrooms. Marble and marble-print porcelain tiles provide neutral, polished striated surfaces throughout the property. The custom-designed countertops, millwork, screens, and 90% of the light fixtures contribute to the carefully crafted nature of the project, with every detail considered to align with the overarching visual narrative.

Upon entering, the lobby sets the tone with its striking plum-colored palette, chosen specifically for its connection to Art Deco and its ability to offer a depth of hues. This color is exclusive to Tempo Nashville, distinguishing it from other Tempo hotels and imparting a sense of individuality to the property. Behind the reception, a floral wallcovering nods to the Art Deco period and ties back to Mary Louise’s character, creating a graceful articulation between design and execution. Gold leaf accents in the ceiling coffers further enhance the glamour of the space.

Lighting plays a key role throughout the hotel, guiding guests from arrival through the vestibule to the elevator lobby. The 99 surface-mounted light fixtures add a sense of movement, while the corridor lighting, designed to fit within coffered ceilings, takes on the subtle shape of a vinyl record—a whimsical tribute to Nashville’s music roots.

The bar area features a one-of-kind and captivating design element: a mural recreated through textile prints on the backs of the 25 bar stools. Five individual patterns were derived from a mural wallcovering and translated into fabric pieces, then oriented on the stools in a sequence that recreates the mural. This imaginative touch supports the storytelling aspect of the design, welcoming guests to engage with the space. Above the bar, leaf-shaped alabaster panels framed in brass-toned metal add a beautiful focal point to the lively aesthetic.

The 306 guestrooms—including a party suite—offer a warm, inviting atmosphere that blends residential comfort with elevated design. Each room is punctuated with dynamic tones, from rich velvet benches to bold patterned pillows, along with a series of wallcoverings that add personality and provide a juxtaposition to the neutral backdrops. The wallcoverings include a dressing area in the foyer that creates a vignette in the vestibule and designs above the headboards, featuring abstract patterns in soft metallic hues inspired by music soundwaves, creating a visual connection to the city’s music scene. In the bathrooms, contrasting wallcoverings transition from light to dark and textured to smooth, which conveys an intriguing interplay of design elements.

A Hatch Show Print poster, used as the backing fabric for the guestroom desk chairs, honors Nashville’s heritage. Established in 1879, Hatch Show Print is a working letterpress print shop that has produced legendary handmade posters for over a century. Known for its vintage type and hand-carved imagery, Hatch has commemorated events ranging from circuses to music performances. The shop shares long-standing relationships with Nashville institutions like the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, making its posters a recognized symbol of Music City’s creative spirit. This detail links the hotel to the city’s history of artistry and adds a recognizable, meaningful touchpoint to the guestroom design.

The sustainable design approach centers on eco-friendly materials, local craftsmanship, and energy-efficient technology. Low-VOC paints and sustainable degradable vinyl seating (restaurant lounge banquette and chairs) add to conscientious interior spaces, while vintage pieces and locally sourced millwork support the community and help reduce carbon footprint. Low-flow plumbing fixtures in guestroom and public bathrooms minimize water consumption, supporting long-term resource conservation. Smart technology further amplifies environmental efficiency throughout the hotel.

The pool deck continues the narrative with mosaic tiles, vibrant pops of color, and thoughtful seating arrangements, creating intimate vignettes around the pool area. Lounge chairs in soft blues and corals, along with neutral umbrellas, balance the collection of palettes while maintaining a refined atmosphere.

Tempo Nashville reimagines the hospitality experience by merging tradition with modern glamour, all through the lens of Mary Louise’s character. The design honors the diverse elements that make Nashville distinctive, blending history, architecture, art, and music to cultivate an atmosphere that feels ageless yet fresh and original—an experience Mary Louise herself would be proud to call home.