WILLIAMSBURG—Cornerstone Hospitality, a member of the Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association, announced that it has entered into a partnership with MB Contractors and Craddock Cunningham Architectural Partners, both of Virginia, to form Creative Boutique Hotels.
“We’ve been working collectively on several boutique hotel projects over the last year and felt that we all worked extremely well together. Having a team of partners who can bring a project together from start to finish is invaluable” said president and CEO of Cornerstone Hospitality, Kimberly L. Christner. “Our objective is to work in smaller towns and cities to redevelop downtown communities by restoring historic buildings and converting them into unique boutique hotels”.
The group has been working on historic repurposing of buildings as well as new construction boutique hotel projects throughout Virginia and Mid-Atlantic and is currently looking at other projects in several other states. They have been contacted by and worked with city leaders as well as private owners to identify and develop these projects. They currently have projects under development in Bristol, Va., and South Boston, Va.
Hal Craddock, principal, Craddock Cunningham Architectural Partners, is the individual behind the Craddock Terry Hotel, which is operated by Cornerstone Hospitality. The historic former shoe factory and tobacco warehouse now features a 44-room luxury boutique hotel, two restaurants, a 6,000 square foot event space and a micro-brewery, all located on the James River in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia. “This hotel is the perfect example of how a project like this can spur growth downtown and encourage entrepreneurial opportunities for unique shopping, independent restaurateurs, artisan boutiques and art galleries” Craddock said. “At the time we purchased these buildings they were an eyesore for the city producing a mere $600 in tax revenue. Now they are a functioning part of the community producing over $500,000 annually in tax revenue.”
“It is our belief that there is a place for the unique and interesting boutique hotel in small-town America, not just in the major metropolitan markets,” said Christner. “While not every small town can support a boutique hotel project, many just need the spark of vision to create a whole new dynamic.”
