As the saying goes, there’s a first time for everything. This project was not only a first for Crain Construction in our 90+ years of history but also for Nashville itself. Transforming a third-floor parking garage into 36 high-end guest suites as hotel operations continued was a groundbreaking endeavor. The final project added a new level of luxury to the city’s hospitality landscape. By navigating complex constraints and reimagining the use of existing space, this project highlights Crain’s ability to push boundaries and bring bold visions to life.
From Parking Garage to Elite Suites
At the Marriott Tri-Brand Nashville, Crain Construction partnered with North Point Hospitality to convert an existing third-floor parking garage into 36 high-end guest suites. This addition expands the Tri-Brand Marriott property—Springhill Suites, Residence Inn, and AC Hotels to over 500 guest rooms.
With the project located directly across from the Music City Center (in the heart of downtown), the Crain team navigated tight urban site constraints while maintaining full hotel operations. Crain faced similar challenges while constructing the Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Hotel at an active airport. Both projects required extensive coordination, strategic planning, and innovative solutions—all essential for achieving exceptional results.
This project resulted in a seamless conversion into “Elite Suites,” which feature premium finishes, expanded makeup vanities, and extended-stay amenities such as full-size refrigerators and cooktops. These suites are specifically designed for larger groups who are seeking elevated comfort and convenience.
Managing Logistical Challenges
The Marriott Tri-Brand is situated on a landlocked site surrounded by public sidewalks, a narrow alley, and neighboring properties. To ensure the project moved forward smoothly, the team had to get creative to minimize disruptions to guests and hotel operations.
Space constraints meant traditional construction workflows—such as on-site material storage and standard debris removal—weren’t viable options. To supply the site, Crain implemented just-in-time material deliveries, carefully timed between guest check-ins and check-outs, to ensure minimal interference with the hotel’s daily operations. For debris removal, the team relied on tommy carts to transport construction waste from the third floor to off-site, avoiding the need for bulky dumpsters that simply couldn’t fit within the site’s limitations.
Overcoming Structural Challenges
In addition to logistical hurdles, Crain Construction tackled several structural challenges unique to this adaptive reuse project. The sloping floors of the existing parking garage required extensive collaboration between Crain’s team, the client, and the design team. Due to added structural weight concerns while leveling the garage, a floor-leveling subcontractor used lightweight structural topping slabs, including approximately seven inches of Maxxon® Low-Density Fill (LDF) and one inch of Maxxon® Level-Crete, to address the sloping issue. These materials met weight criteria while allowing for on-site pumping and finishing, ensuring both efficiency and structural stability.
The preconstruction team at Crain played a crucial role during the planning and design phases by collaborating closely with the client and design team to identify and resolve issues related to existing conditions. Key challenges included in-slab post-tension cabling and electrical wire routing, which could have interfered with new plumbing slab penetrations. Additionally, the team constructed a mock-up of a guestroom shell to study the sloping floor concerns and coordinate existing overhead conflicts.
The Marriott Tri-Brand project is another significant achievement in Crain Construction’s portfolio for both hospitality and adaptive reuse. This project exemplifies Crain’s commitment to adaptability and proactive problem-solving, reaffirming the company’s philosophy that innovative approaches are key to successful construction. By leveraging cutting-edge materials and unconventional workflows, the team not only delivered exceptional results but also gained valuable insights that will shape future projects of similar complexity.
With Nashville’s growth continuing at an unprecedented pace, Crain Construction is poised to contribute to its evolution through creative and impactful developments that deliver lasting value.
