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Tempo by
Hilton Nashville
Downtown

Nashville, Tennessee

Industry
  • Hospitality
Region
  • Southeast
Scope
  • Artwork for entry exterior, public amenity spaces, and guest rooms
Client
  • HRI Hospitality
Highlights:
  • 48% of the artworks were made by underrepresented and minority artists

  • 7 site-specific commissions reflect the adventurous spirit of the hotel and its fictional muse Mary Louise

  • 2 site-specific murals bring light and color to the building

  • 7 different mediums are used in the collection

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The Story

Developed and owned by HRI Hospitality, Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown caters to “the modern achiever,” featuring a variety of lifestyle and wellness-focused amenities such as flexible meeting and event space, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a rooftop bar and pool, and even downtown’s first immersive Topgolf experience. These amenities and more are elevated by the hotel’s intriguing storyline – the life of fictional music star Mary Louise. 

HRI created the muse to inspire the entirety of the guest experience at Tempo, using her timeless fashion sense, buttery vocals, honest lyrics, and worldly travels to inform the hotel’s grandeur, “with modern understated design and boldness to create an approachable, unapologetic, and comfortable space.” The art collection is an extension of Mary Louise, reflecting her personal collection of postcards, relics, and photos amassed over a lifetime of music tours and performances. 

As guests pull up to the valet, they are immediately greeted by a large, sequined installation titled “Fountain” by Taropop Studio (local artists Kong Wee Pang and Jay Crum). Talk about a moment of arrival! Upon entering the lobby, visitors can enjoy “Kiss 6,” a steel bead installation by Beth Kamhi and “Tempophone,” a striking, gramophone-inspired aluminum wall sculpture by Airworks Studio. Eight feet long and 16 inches deep, this large installation uses lightweight aluminum and only weighs 35 pounds. Captivating fine art prints line a nearby hallway leading to the hotel’s impressive fitness center, where a mural by local artist Joe Geis reads “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” creating the perfect energetic backdrop to motivate gym goers.

Other stand-outs in the collection can be found on the 5th floor, including fine art prints by Gregory Forber, a recycled fashion billboard vinyl by Shelley Heffler, and wooden installation by Erin Harris, which depicts the soundwaves for the song “Crazy” by famous Nashville star Patsy Cline. In addition to fine art prints, each of the 306 guest rooms includes an original spray paint, stencil, and wheat paste artwork by WRDSMTH, as well as an original mixed media piece by Drew Austin. And outside the presidential suite, guests can enjoy a bold, abstract mural by Nashville artist Eric Bass.

Altogether, the art collection at Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown evokes nostalgia, honoring the iconic Mary Louise and the rich history of the Music City.

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Similar Projects

Check back for additional projects being added soon!

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- James Prendeville, General Manager, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Austin

“NINE dot ARTS continues to exceed my expectations. As curators, their ability to identify and source artworks that are immersive and experiential has helped make our property a unique destination.”

- Chad Mcwhinney, CEO and Co-founder, Mcwhinney

NINE dot ARTS did an amazing job finding pieces that tell a story and communicate who we are as a philanthropic organization. The art in our office is a source of joy and pride, and is an essential part of the character of a space that is used by many, many community organizations.”

- Thomas A. Gougeon, President, Gates Family Foundation

“The NINE dot ARTS discovery process made creating a custom art collection, a seemingly daunting task, simple and fun. They truly understood our business and how to visually express what we do in unique and meaningful ways. Their knowledge of the art industry combined with their experience and countless local and national connections are extremely impressive.”

- Jenna Samek, Director Corporate Communications, Fourpoint Energy

“NINE dot ARTS was great to work with and made the art selection fun while capturing our story. They captured not only our image, culture and diversity but also those things that are outside the box that make the project feel right.

- Gary Branch, Director of Construction, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

Our ability to create authentic experiences for our guests is a key differentiator against our competition, and the art program that NINE dot ARTS created is a prime example. Much of the art comes from current Boston University (BU) students and alumni, which really connects with our guests. As a result, we continue to grow our share of business from BU.”

- Adam Sperling, General Manager, Hotel Commonwealth

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