Project Director
Hathcock, Sarah
Department Examiner
Etheredge, Jessica
Publisher
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Place of Publication
Chattanooga (Tenn.)
Abstract
Hotel Bowman is an adaptive reuse boutique hotel located within the former Old Brainerd Junior High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The project reimagines the historic structure as a hospitality environment rooted in athletic legacy, community, and wellness. Blending preserved architectural character with contemporary interventions, the design honors the building’s past while introducing a new identity centered on performance and recovery. The hotel integrates guest accommodations, wellness amenities, and social spaces—including the reactivated auditorium—creating a dynamic environment that supports both individual restoration and collective experience. Materiality and atmosphere play a critical role, combining warm woods, vintage references, and layered lighting to evoke nostalgia while maintaining a refined, modern sensibility. Moments of contrast—such as youthful, pastel-driven social spaces—reflect the spirit of the school’s history and broaden the hotel’s appeal beyond traditional hospitality. Hotel Bowman ultimately serves as a bridge between past and present, transforming a place of learning into a destination for gathering, movement, and renewal.
Degree
B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.
Date
8-2026
Subject
Historic preservation--Tennessee--Chattanooga; Community centers--Design; Adaptive reuse of buildings; Historic buildings--Remodeling for other use; Interior architecture; Hotels--Design
Discipline
Historic Preservation and Conservation
Document Type
Theses
Extent
41 unnumbered leaves
DCMI Type
Text
Language
English
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Date Available
12-31-2026
Recommended Citation
Cox, Abigail J., "Historic preservation through adaptive reuse and wellness hospitality" (2026). Honors Theses.
https://scholar.utc.edu/honors-theses/686
Department
School of Professional Studies