At Crain Construction, we believe the foundation for every successful project is the relationship behind it. Over the past decade, we’ve had the opportunity to build more than just hotels with Chartwell Hospitality—we’ve built a trusted partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and doing things the right way.
Chartwell Hospitality is a fully integrated hotel company that develops and manages more than 30 properties across the Southeast, with a strong focus on Marriott and Hilton brands. Known for their high standards and consistent results, Chartwell has helped shape the hospitality landscape in Nashville and beyond.
Our work together began in 2015 when Chartwell was looking for a general contractor for the Hilton Franklin Cool Springs—an ambitious, 8-story, nearly 300-room hotel. This Hilton project became our first opportunity to deliver for Chartwell. The ambitious Cool Springs project was completed in 2018.
“They did a great job,” said Rob Schaedle, managing partner at Chartwell Hospitality. “And that’s the start of our relationship.”
People First—At Every Level
Since that first project, that partnership has grown. We’ve worked together on numerous properties, including the 1st and Main development in downtown Franklin and the Hilton Alpharetta in Georgia.
For Rob, these kinds of partnerships are about more than contracts and blueprints—they’re about people.
“I’ve been doing this a long time,” he said. “Whether it’s hiring a consultant, architect, or contractor, it’s all about the people you’re working with.”
At Crain, we take that mindset seriously. From the leadership team and preconstruction department to our project managers and superintendents, we strive to show up with honesty, clarity, and a commitment to collaboration. According to Rob, that consistency is part of what makes the relationship work.
“One of the things about Crain and the leadership of Michael and Mark Rankin is that what you see is what you get. They’re down to earth, straightforward, and professional,” Schaedle said. “And the more we got to know them, the more it became clear that they’re exactly the kind of people we want to do business with.”
Built on Trust, Proven in Adversity
Like any long-term partnership, the work hasn’t always been easy. But we’ve found that the true strength of a relationship is showcased through challenges, not just when they go smoothly.
During the Hilton Alpharetta project, unexpected site issues from work done by a prior subcontractor led to delays and cost pressures. Together, Chartwell and Crain worked side by side to keep the project on track.
“When there’s that much money involved in these big construction projects, you want to work with somebody you have full confidence in—that they know what’s going on at the job,” Rob said. “At Crain, whether it’s the superintendent, the project managers, or the leadership, they’re all aligned. That’s hugely important.”
And that commitment doesn’t end at the ribbon-cutting. In an industry where it’s common for contractors to finish the job and move on, Chartwell has seen something different with Crain.
“We haven’t had a whole lot of issues related to our projects with Crain,” Rob said. “But the ones we’ve had, the team at Crain has just jumped in and fixed it. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like a lot, but their commitment to seeing a project through completion is a big deal.”
A Milestone in the Partnership: Hilton BNA
One of the most visible outcomes of our collaboration is the Hilton BNA Hotel, located on the grounds of the Nashville International Airport. This 10-story, 298-room hotel represents one of the most complex and high-profile projects in Chartwell’s portfolio—one with a $100 million budget and a demanding construction timeline.
“This project was extremely complicated, but it ran really smoothly,” Rob said. “That’s not an easy thing to do, but I think a lot of its success is because we’ve been around the block a few times together.”
The success of the Hilton BNA project is a testament to great construction and a physical reflection of a working relationship built on trust, communication, and shared standards of excellence.
Invested in the Long Run
Chartwell Hospitality continues to grow with a simple goal: to be the absolute best in the hospitality business, and Crain is proud to be one of the partners they trust to bring that goal to life. It’s a partnership we don’t take for granted—and one we’re excited to keep building on, one project at a time.
