Build Group Breaks Ground on Landmark Downtown Napa Hotel

Build Group, in partnership with CMG Financial under the leadership of Christopher M. George and 300 Venture Group (3VG), today announced the groundbreaking of a transformative new hotel in downtown Napa. This project represents one of the most significant private investments in the city’s history and will help shape the next chapter of downtown Napa.

The development brings new energy and opportunity to a site with deep roots in Napa’s history. The project’s design features a convex frontage on First Street that echoes the original Migliavacca Building, honoring the family that helped establish Napa’s early commercial and civic identity in the 19th century.

At the heart of the hotel is a new public paseo that will link Napa’s First Street with Brown Street and the city’s 9/11 Memorial. This intentional design ensures that the memorial remains not only preserved but also elevated as a central point of connection for the community and a place of reflection for generations to come.

“We are deeply grateful for our client’s trust and the opportunity to deliver on such an important project for Napa,” said Nathan Rundel, co-founder and president at Build Group. “This is exactly the kind of project where our expertise shines, and we’re proud to have the highly skilled men and women of the NorCal Carpenters Union leading the work on the ground. Together, we’re building something that honors Napa’s past and creates lasting value for its future.”

The hotel will deliver far-reaching benefits for Napa residents and businesses:

• Economic Growth: Hundreds of local construction jobs and long-term hospitality positions will be created
• Community Impact: Millions of dollars will be invested in local affordable housing initiatives, ensuring the city’s revitalization benefits all residents
• Cultural Integration: By blending with Napa’s architectural character and expanding public gathering space, the project enhances the city’s identity rather than overwhelming it

“This project has always been about more than bricks and mortar,” said Christopher M. George, Founder and CEO of CMG Financial. “It’s about honoring history, supporting community, and creating a place where people want to gather — whether they’re students, families, or visitors from around the world. To see this vision moving forward after years of hard work is deeply meaningful to me.”

Jerry Hunt, Principal at 3VG, added: “We’ve worked hand-in-hand with the city, the community, and our partners to ensure this project meets the highest standard. The groundbreaking of this project marks not just the start of construction, but the culmination of collaboration and shared belief in what downtown Napa can become.”

The hotel is expected to open in fall 2027, delivering a world-class destination that honors Napa’s heritage, strengthens its economy, and creates new opportunities for connection in the heart of the city.