The beloved downtown Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel is currently being renovated + rebranded as The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo.

Located at 92 Choo Choo Ave., the historic site that was once a train station will receive a $19 million renovation, with the hopes to "blend history and modern luxury." The project comes from new ownership overseen by a Chicago-based real estate agency, Trestle Studio.

The team at Trestle Studio drew from US Railways' history of constructing lodges and chalets to plan the new look as a way to connect guests to the surrounding mountain areas + embrace the history of rail travel.

The historic train carriages will be restored to its original vintage. | Renderings provided by The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo

Under the renovations, the space will focus on Art Nouveau styling + the "European influence of The Choo Choo gardens." Here's what folks can expect from the new look:

127 guest rooms, including 25 rooms in restored Victorian train carriages
Updated amenities including a fitness center + alpine pool
Indoor + outdoor lounge spaces with fire pits in the courtyard

The hotel wants to inspire guests to "partake in après voyage libations" with its new style. | Renderings provided by The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo

Guests will also be able to enjoy food + drinks from a world-class restaurant and bars inside and poolside — brought to you by locals Ryan Smith and Chloe Wright of The Rosecomb.

With a ballroom for up to 180 guests, a tented outdoor reception courtyard + breakout space, the updated hotel will also have the opportunity to be booked for large-scale events + meetings. The Hotel Chalet is currently open for booking events for 2024 via email.

The renovation + rebranding of this hotel has been in the works for over two years. | Renderings provided by The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo

The renovations are projected to be complete by late 2023 with options to book rooms later this summer. Stay tuned for updates through the hotel's Instagram page.

Have thoughts about the rebranding? Let us know.