BOISE, ID—Officials of The Cornerstone Collective have revealed a record year of growth as it continues to expand further into the hospitality space. Highlights for 2020 include two completed hotel openings and two completed hotel renovations, as well as providing design & procurement services for an additional four hotels. While multiple hotel development projects were delayed, the company also signed six new design projects. Additionally, it launched new initiatives and rebranded itself to meet the demands of the industry in the pandemic.
“To say 2020 brought with it a number of surprises and challenges likely is the understatement of a lifetime,” said Suzie Hall, founder/president, The Cornerstone Collective. “However, we have been able to work with hoteliers throughout the pandemic, resulting in both completed projects and often a new way of approaching our business in light of guest health and safety concerns. While COVID-19 has impacted the way people travel, it also has provided the industry with a brief ‘time out’ to review processes and procedures to make sure owner and guest demands are being met. We have streamlined our services to complete projects as quickly and cost-effectively as possible under the circumstances.”
Hotel Openings
Cornerstone opened the 111-room Residence Inn Scottsdale Salt River in Scottsdale, AZ, in February. The firm was tasked by owner Salt River Devco to enhance the Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community’s assets with the ground-up development hotel. The Residence Inn features many custom design elements and FFE throughout the property, including a “bird” ceiling treatment that mirrors a similar installation in the owner’s sister Courtyard by Marriott hotel next door. A river motif was designed as a symbol of the Salt River, flowing between the two hotels.
The company also opened the 142-room AC Marriott Santa Rosa Downtown in Santa Rosa, CA. The modular project features a site-built ground floor with retail space and a restaurant. Cornerstone was contracted by Guerdon, LLC, to provide guestroom design and oversee procurement.
Hotel Renovations
- Hilton Garden Inn – Seattle North / Everett: Located in Mukilteo, WA, the 102-guestroom hotel underwent complete interior design, FFE selections and procurement for the public spaces.
- Sleep Inn – Billings: Located in Billings, MT, Cornerstone provided interior renovation, interior design and construction management for the 74-room property.
Design & Procurement Services
- The Gordon Hotel: This property in Eugene, OR, received FFE procurement and is expected to open in Q1 2021.
- The Gordon Lofts: Opened in Q4 2020, Cornerstone oversaw the procurement of FFE at this property in Eugene, OR.
- Home2 Suites in Daly City, CA: This project by OTO Development currently is on-hold while ownership waits for the travel market to return.
- Residence Inn Scottsdale Salt River: Cornerstone also provided design & procurement services for the aforementioned property. The company specified, detailed and procured many custom design and FFE elements throughout the hotel.
New Design Projects
Cornerstone currently is completing the interior design for five Hilton Garden Inn renovations in California. All of the properties are owned by Arbor Lodging. The company also has almost completed the design for the renovation of the aforementioned Courtyard by Marriott Salt River.
Nexus Project
In direct response to the pandemic, Cornerstone launched the Nexus Project, a comprehensive, streamlined program for hotel brands, owners and operators with detailed recommendations to design their properties safely, intelligently and prudently. Utilizing criteria pulled from across the full spectrum of expert sources, including the CDC, EPA, WELL, LEED, IBC, Fitwel, Mindful Materials and medical specialists, the proprietary program provides unbiased, research-based solutions.
“With the world on the cusp of a vaccination, it remains vitally important for hotel owners and operators to respond to the very real health and safety concerns of guests,” Hall said. “Implementing meaningful precautions will help usher back the return of travel as guests regain a sense of safe travel. Signs point to massive pent-up demand, and the hotels with proper safety protocols and clear explanations will be among the first to rebound. From the hotel’s perspective, the Nexus Standards also provide cost-savings of 15 to 40% under less rigidly vetted options.”
The company’s pipeline remains full and is in early negotiations with five ground-up developments and four renovations. “As the vaccine makes its way into society, one of the first things people will want to do is travel again, whether that’s to see sorely missed family or simply get out of the house after so many months of sheltering-in-place,” said Hall. “Already, we are experiencing a development and construction thaw from the earlier pandemic freeze, and we expect 2021 to be one of our busiest years yet.”