Charlestowne expands national footprint with 8 in pipeline

Charlestowne Hotels announces a new slate of development projects across the Midwest, Southeast and Mountain West. Charlestowne’s development pipeline features a diverse mix of projects, including an ultra-luxury boutique  hotel in Milwaukee, a technology-forward, staffless hospitality concept in Florida, and the opening of a new adaptive reuse property in Santa Fe, N.M. The company is also expanding its soft-branded portfolio, with two Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotels slated to open over the next two years.

"This pipeline represents a very deliberate evolution of Charlestowne Hotels," Charlestowne Hotels CEO Kyle Hughey said in a statement. “We are partnering with owners who share our belief that hotels should be deeply rooted in their communities, shaped by design and story, and built with amenities and offerings for long-term relevance. Each of these projects reflects where we see the future of independent and experience-driven hospitality."

Charlestowne Hotels has eight development projects underway in 2026.

Adaptive Reuse Projects

Located in Santa Fe, N.M’s Railyard District, Hotel Flora will transform the former Outside Magazine headquarters into a 27-room luxury boutique hotel. The property will have two  food and beverage concepts alongside curated regional art and expansive outdoor space designed to celebrate the city’s creative identity. 

Hotel Laureum is a 35-key independent hotel in Milwaukee, Wis.’s historic former University Club. Founded in 1898 and recognized as a landmark building long associated with civic and intellectual life, the property will be transformed into an intimate, high-end destination. Architecture by local firm Kahler Slater and interior design by KTGY will blend historic character with contemporary refinement, creating a residential-style guest experience. Hotel Laureum will introduce a collection of elevated gathering spaces, including multiple food and beverage concepts designed to serve as modern social hubs for Milwaukee’s business, cultural, and social communities. Amenities will include a grand ballroom, executive boardroom, private dining room with curated wine cellar, a library-inspired lobby bar envisioned as a contemporary salon for conversation, and a rooftop restaurant with sweeping Lake Michigan views.

Tribute Portfolio Growth

The company continues to advance its stronghold in the development of collegiate hotels with Hotel Madelon, a Tribute Portfolio project at Mississippi State University named in honor of the university’s original fight song. The 122-key hotel will anchor the new Crossroads District, a multi-phase development that includes residential housing, restaurants, retail, and entertainment venues. Guests will enjoy a full-service restaurant, cafe & creamery as well as a rooftop bar with seamless pedestrian access connecting the campus and the Cotton District.

A 92-key Tribute Portfolio hotel and cornerstone of Ogden, Utah’s new Wonderblock mixed-use development, the Rumor Hotel will connect the storied, urban culture of Ogden with alpine adventure in the nearby Park City region. The property is designed with Ogden’s clandestine past and bold future in mind, and will feature vibrant and energetic food and beverage venues designed as year-round social hubs for both visitors and residents.

Distinctive Independent Hotels

The Inn at Aspen in Aspen, Colo, has undergone a comprehensive transformation, relaunching in 2026 with a refreshed elevated guest experience. Renovations include redesigned guest rooms, a completely rebuilt outdoor heated pool and deck with a hot tub and an updated building exterior. As the only ski-in, ski-out hotel at the base of Buttermilk Mountain, these updates highlight Charlestowne Hotels’ commitment to thoughtful property revitalization.

An eight-key independent boutique hotel serving the Clearwater and Tampa, Fla. markets, The Livery Guesthouse will introduce a technology-forward, staffless operating model that leverages a digital-first guest journey. Charlestowne will deploy targeted revenue management and marketing strategies to position the property as a high-performing niche destination, serving as a prime example of how thoughtful technology and strategic positioning can transform a small-footprint property into a market leader.

A new 50-key independent luxury hotel will also debut in Charleston, S.C., strengthening the company’s hometown presence.

Lifestyle-Driven Mixed-Use Projects

Located just outside Charleston in Johns Island, S.C., Jubilee is a 13 acre 140-key mixed-use development.  Set to open in 2028, the property combines a 75-key wellness hotel with 65 independent short-term rental cottages and is designed with a neighborhood-first philosophy. The project will also have 15,500 square feet of combined restaurant, retail, outdoor and office space designed as a walkable town center, intentionally crafted to serve as social and culinary anchors for both local residents and hotel guests.

“Charlestowne has built its reputation managing distinctive independent hotels, and this next phase further expands that expertise into a broader mix of development partnerships, soft-branded hotels, and experience-driven destinations across the country,” Hughey said. “Together, these developments showcase the breadth of our growing portfolio and the new approaches we’re taking across different hotel types. Each project demonstrates our ability to combine market expertise with innovative operational models that deliver results for owners and memorable experiences for guests.”