CHATTANOOGA RIVERFRONT HOTELS

Chattanooga transformed itself from a rugged river town into the "Crossroads of the South" by leveraging the Tennessee River and the burgeoning railway system. This era of relentless entrepreneurship—the same spirit that invented Mini-Golf and the Tow Truck—laid the foundation of innovation and grit that defines our city, and our building, today.

In a time of roaring prosperity, architect R.H. Hunt designed this elegant, neoclassical-meets-Art Deco structure as the home for the Chattanooga Savings Bank and Trust Company. It was built as a symbol of stability and ambition, designed to reflect the city’s growing economic importance and lasting architectural grandeur.

Even as the Great Depression challenged the nation, this iconic tower continued its legacy of trust. The building successively housed the Commercial National Bank and the American Trust and Banking Company, safeguarding the city's financial heart. Original features from this era, like the massive lower-level bank vault, remain perfectly preserved.

For years, this landmark sat dormant, waiting for a new purpose. It took a decade-long collaboration and a shared vision between architects, developers, and the City of Chattanooga to initiate its return to iconic status. The purpose: to heal the scars of the past and weave the building's history into a vibrant, modern future.

The result is a $59 million adaptive reuse project that has re-energized the core of downtown. The Waymark—an elegant Hilton Tapestry hotel—is now a dynamic social hub featuring lush guestrooms, a street-level restaurant, flexible event spaces, and a hidden speakeasy tucked within the original 1927 bank vault.