GreenRoots finishes exterior landscape at The Francis Hotel in Kennett Square

GreenRoots Design Firm completed the full exterior landscape at The Francis Hotel & Suites, tying the restored historic property’s entrance, gardens, courtyard and guest-room views to the boutique hotel’s interior design. The project supports Square Roots Collective’s broader effort to use the hotel’s proceeds to invest back into Kennett Square.

Why it matters: - The Francis Hotel’s exterior is now part of the guest experience, not just a backdrop, which strengthens the link between the restored historic home and downtown Kennett Square. - Square Roots Collective uses proceeds from the hotel to keep investing in Kennett Square, so the project has a direct community impact beyond hospitality. - GreenRoots’ work shows how coordinated landscape and interior design can shape how visitors move through and remember a property.

What happened: - GreenRoots Design Firm completed the entire exterior landscape at The Francis Hotel & Suites at 205 South Union Street in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. - The hotel is part of Square Roots Collective’s restoration of a historic home into a boutique hotel. - GreenRoots worked with Square Roots Collective and interior designer Riverwards General to connect the hotel’s exterior spaces with its interiors. - The project included the front entrance, metal gate, planters, side gardens, rear areas, and courtyard. - GreenRoots also helped select the siding paint color.

The details: - The Francis has eight guest rooms, and each room has a theme based on a different part of local history. - Riverwards General developed the room themes. - Square Roots Collective set the overall vision for The Francis and managed the project from start to finish, including funding and administration. - The front entrance features a hand-laid dry-stacked stone retaining wall. - The entrance planting mix includes hydrangeas, shrubs and perennials. - A metal gate marks the transition from the street into the hotel. - A brick-laid breezeway leads to the courtyard. - The courtyard uses layered planting, natural materials and a sculptural water feature. - Landscaping along the sides and rear of the property extends the design across the full site. - GreenRoots and Riverwards General met regularly to align room entrances, interior views, exterior sightlines, plantings, materials and colors. - GreenRoots’ project profile includes photographs and additional details.

Between the lines: - The project reflects a design approach aimed at making the hotel feel locally rooted rather than imported or generic. - GreenRoots is applying its design-build model in its hometown, where continuity from planning through installation matters more because the work sits in a visible historic setting. - Square Roots Collective’s leadership, Riverwards General’s interiors and GreenRoots’ landscaping were all part of a single visual strategy. - Cauffman said the team focused on making the stonework and plantings feel like they belonged in the neighborhood.

What's next: - GreenRoots says homeowners planning pools, patios, gardens or outdoor living spaces for spring or summer 2027 should start evaluating their property in the fall, before construction planning and approvals. - The firm is available to discuss design and construction timelines for residential projects. - GreenRoots will continue offering custom outdoor design and build services across Chester County, northern Delaware and the greater Philadelphia region.

The bottom line: - The Francis Hotel’s exterior was designed to do more than frame the building; it was built to help define the guest experience and tie the property to Kennett Square’s history.