WHERE SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY FINDS ITS RHYTHM
CLIENT: HOTEL TUPELO
SCOPE OF WORK
LOGO DESIGN
VISUAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT
COLLATERAL & SIGNAGE DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY & WEBSITE ART DIRECTION
Since opening in 2022 in Elvis Presley’s Mississippi hometown, Hotel Tupelo has set the stage as Tupelo’s Greatest Hit. With its Southern hospitality, mid-century design, and musical nods to its root—from sheet music walls to retro furnishings—the hotel captures the rhythm and charm of the city it calls home.
2024 Fifty Grande Greatest Hotel Ever Awards: South
LEGACY WORK DURING TENURE AT CHARLESTOWNE HOTELS
BREAKING DOWN THE BRAND
THE VISION
To create a brand that feels dynamic, unmistakably Southern, and influenced by its hometown. The goal was to develop an aesthetic that channels Tupelo’s mid-century soul. From rock ’n’ roll roots to modern revival, the design needed to embody a hotel that moves to its own beat. Every detail strikes the perfect chord where new meets nostalgia.
LOGO DESIGN
The logo design for Hotel Tupelo is bold and unapologetic—simple on the surface but a tall, commanding presence underneath. Inspired by classic marquee signage, it nods to the golden age of American travel in the 1950s.
COLOR PALETTE
Hotel Tupelo's color palette draws inspiration from Mississippi’s soulful , musical landscape. Rust and Tupelo Honey are reminiscent of clay and golden syrup. Dark Electric and Denim add a cool counterbalance of electric guitars and blue jeans. Old Rose softens with a vintage touch, while Wheat ties in natural texture–inviting, energetic, and all-American.
VISUAL IDENTITY
The broader design concept celebrates retro design with classic stripes (a playful reference to Presley’s iconic “Jailhouse Rock” ) and triptych image frames that showcase the hotel’s artistry. Patterns pay tribute to Tupelo’s historic claim as the first city in the U.S. to provide electricity to its citizens. Each brand touchpoint carries a sense of motion and musicality.
CELEBRATING SUCCESSION
Hotel Tupelo has energized Mississippi’s hospitality scene, drawing national attention from Southern Living, Men's Journal (Best New Hotels in America), and Fifty Grande (Greatest Hotels Ever Awards – South). As Tupelo’s only boutique hotel, it stands as both a tribute and a transformation. It isn’t just a place to stay; it’s a place to feel the rhythm of a city that gave the world a true rock star.
