RNGD to begin work May 26 on adaptive reuse project at former Shamrock Hotel site
(UCBJ) – Wasioto Restoration Company (WRC) has issued a Notice to Proceed for construction of the Cordell Hotel, according to a release. The general contractor, RNGD, is scheduled to begin work on May 26 on the restoration of the former Shamrock Hotel in downtown Gainesboro.
RNGD is a nationally recognized contractor specializing in adaptive reuse and historic restoration. In the end, the goal is to transform the Shamrock into Cordell Hotel, a boutique hospitality destination inspired by Cordell Hull, the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize winner whose roots trace back to Jackson County.
“A project like this requires a tremendous amount of coordination, craftsmanship and respect for the existing structure,” said DJ Benedetto, Mid-South Sector Leader for RNGD. “There’s a responsibility that comes with restoring a building that already holds meaning within a community. We’re proud to partner with the Wasioto team to help bring new life to this landmark in Gainesboro.”
The project is in line with WRC’s broader investment strategy across Gainesboro and the Upper Cumberland region.
The effort is focused on:
- revitalization
- hospitality
- development
- outdoor tourism
- long-term placemaking
The Shamrock Hotel on Gainesboro’s town square, originally built in 1928, is one of the area’s most recognized landmarks. This project will not be your standard reconstruction. WRC is planning an “experience” rooted in regional identity, historic preservation and storytelling, according to the release.
The restoration plan, designed by Nashville-based Joseph & Joseph Architects (JJA), looks to balance preservation of the building’s historic character and is intended to “feel distinctly Tennessee and Upper Cumberland in tone and design.”
The Cordell Hotel will feature:
- feature boutique accommodations
- locally influenced art and storytelling elements
- guest experience centered on warmth, connection and authenticity
“There’s a growing desire for places that feel authentic and grounded,” said Marc Stengel, President of Wasioto Restoration Company. “What makes Gainesboro special is that nothing about it is manufactured. The history is real. The community is real. Our responsibility is to restore this building in a way that honors all of that while contributing something meaningful to the town’s future.”
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