The Gables, A New Boutique Hotel From Grammy-Nominated Singer-Songwriter Tift Merritt, Now Open In Raleigh, NC

The Restored 1920s Roadside Retreat From Merritt, Developer Daniel Robinson & Heyday Studios' Sarah Yarborough Welcomes Its First Guests - VIEW PHOTOS HERE

"A Stay At A Stylish Friend's House"

- Afar

"The Laid-Back Feel Of Laurel Canyon In The 1970s"

- Garden & Gun

RALEIGH, NC (November 9, 2026): The Gables, a restored historic roadside lodge reimagined as an intimate 18-room boutique retreat in Raleigh's Mordecai neighborhood, is officially open and welcoming guests. The property has been thoughtfully revived by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tift Merritt alongside co-owner and developer Daniel Robinson, known for his work on The Durham Hotel, and Sarah Yarborough of Heyday Studios. Reservations are now available at thegablesraleigh.com .

Originally dating back to the 1920s, The Gables was once part of the vibrant Route 1 travel corridor connecting New York and Miami. The property stood as one of the last operating motels along that historic stretch before sitting vacant for nearly a decade. Merritt and Robinson purchased the property in 2019 and have spent the past several years thoughtfully bringing it back to life, preserving its original stone buildings while reimagining the interiors and grounds as a warm, highly personal retreat. The Gables's operating partner is Early Bird Night Owl, a Durham-based hotel management and marketing company.

Set along Wake Forest Road, The Gables blends the spirit of a classic roadside lodge with layered interiors, communal gathering spaces and a distinctly Southern sense of hospitality. Designed as a traveler's retreat since 1928, the property draws inspiration from Merritt's decades spent touring and traveling, creating a refuge intended for artists, wanderers and visitors seeking warmth, character and connection. You can view photos HERE (credit: Baxter Miller).

"We wanted to create a place that feels soulful, welcoming, and deeply rooted in Raleigh," says Merritt."The Gables is meant to encourage conversation, rest, creativity, and community."

The restoration preserves the scale and personality of the original property while introducing thoughtfully designed guest rooms, gardens, outdoor gathering spaces and Alcove, an intimate all-day café and bar housed in the property's original stone garage. Gardens have replaced much of the former pavement, creating inviting spaces for guests to gather and unwind. Throughout the property, guests will find collaborations with a range of artists, makers and independent brands including Joe Sink Pottery, Wonder Valley, Garza Marfa, Volupte Studio, Marfa Brand Soaps and more.

The project embraces a layered, collected aesthetic shaped by Southern roadside history, European cafés, creative residencies, vintage Americana and the well-worn ease of life on the road. The Gables' vision centers around creating a sanctuary, a salve, a reprieve, a genuine comfort, while offering travelers and locals alike a gathering place that reflects a more personal and artistic side of Raleigh.

The Gables has already earned national attention, with AFAR naming it among six notable new and renovated hotels worth visiting this fall, describing the property as"a stay at a stylish friend's house."Garden & Gun also spotlighted the property in its August/September issue, highlighting its distinctive aesthetic and the years-long restoration led by Merritt and Robinson.

The Gables is now open and accepting reservations at thegablesraleigh.com. Follow @thegablesraleigh on Instagram.

ABOUT THE GABLES

The Gables is an 18-room boutique retreat located in Raleigh's historic Mordecai neighborhood. Originally established along the historic Route 1 corridor in the 1920s, the restored property has been reimagined by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tift Merritt and developer Daniel Robinson, in partnership with Sarah Yarborough of Heyday Studios, as a soulful gathering place rooted in hospitality, creativity and community. Featuring thoughtfully designed accommodations, gardens, communal spaces and neighborhood bar Alcove, The Gables offers a new kind of Southern retreat experience for travelers and locals alike.

ABOUT TIFT MERRITT

Tift Merritt is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter celebrated for her radiant blend of country-soul, Americana and deeply human storytelling. Since the release of her landmark debut Bramble Rose and acclaimed follow-up Tambourine, Merritt has built a widely respected body of work defined by emotional honesty, literary songwriting and fearless vulnerability. Beyond music, she has expanded her creative life as a mother, educator, advocate for artists' rights and community builder in her hometown of Raleigh, NC. Her latest album, Sugar, released June 26, 2026 via One Riot Records, marks her first full-length release in nearly a decade, a luminous and deeply personal collection that reaffirms Merritt as one of Americana's most enduring and essential voices.