Rachel Beierle’s The Mil Project is transforming military town living with mixed-use developments that serve both the military and local communities.
From Military Life to Real Estate: How One Entrepreneur Is Redefining Hospitality
It’s not every day that a military spouse takes on the challenge of reimagining the very spaces that serve military families. But Rachel Beierle, the founder of The Mil Project, did just that and the result is a transformative vision for military-adjacent hospitality. The Mil Project is redefining what it means to live, work, and play near military bases, turning overlooked areas into vibrant destinations where the needs of service members, their families, and surrounding communities come first.
Rachel’s story begins like many military spouses finding herself uprooted and navigating a new world of base housing, temporary living arrangements, and a lifestyle dictated by constant moves. But Rachel didn’t let the challenges of military life stifle her entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, it was the stark contrast between her life in a bustling design firm in San Francisco and the often isolating, utilitarian environment of military housing that sparked the idea for The Mil Project.
A Mission Born from Personal Experience
As a military spouse, Rachel experienced firsthand the difficulties of living at a remote base. While on-base living is functional, it often lacks the warmth and sense of community that makes a place feel like home. She found herself longing for spaces that were not only functional but also beautiful and connected places where she could thrive and be inspired.
“I had no clue what I was getting into,” Rachel recalls, reflecting on her initial experience transitioning to military life. “But I quickly realized it was going to be tough. And while I couldn’t control everything, I could control how I chose to live this life.”
With a background in design, Rachel recognized the potential to bring something meaningful to the military community. She started by working remotely in the design world, honing her skills while moving from one base to the next. But after experiencing multiple moves and deployments, it became clear to her that the military community needed more than just a place to live; they needed spaces that fostered connection, creativity, and belonging.
Thus, The Mil Project was born: a collective of mixed-use developments designed to offer something more than what traditional military towns provide.
From Challenge to Opportunity
Edwards Air Force Base in California, a remote base surrounded by desert and small towns, became the perfect location for Rachel’s first project. As the base’s isolation amplified feelings of loneliness among military families, Rachel saw an opportunity to create a space that was not just a place to stay but a place to connect and recharge.
“Military families are often left to navigate a world that feels disconnected and impersonal. But what if we could create spaces that made people feel inspired, connected, and part of something bigger,” says Rachel.
The Mil Project offers mixed-use developments located just outside military bases, blending boutique lodging with local retail, dining, and community spaces. These developments aim to give military families and service members a space to escape the monotony of base life, offering everything from stylish accommodations to gathering spaces where people can share experiences and create memories.
But it’s not just about the space it’s about what the space represents. The Mil Project is designed with a human-first approach that takes into account the unique needs and challenges of military life. This is hospitality with purpose.
The Turning Point
As Rachel reflects on her journey, she highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability. “When you’re faced with constant change, it forces you to adapt and find ways to make the best of it. The Mil Project is my way of using my background in design and hospitality to create something lasting and meaningful for the military community.”
While the project started with a focus on transforming Edwards AFB, Rachel’s vision is much broader. The goal is to expand The Mil Project to other military installations across the country and, eventually, internationally. Her ultimate ambition is to change the way military families experience life near military bases, transforming places that are often viewed as temporary or transitional into spaces that feel like home.
“I’m not just creating a resort or a hotel,” Rachel explains. “This project is a reflection of my own journey as a military spouse and entrepreneur. It’s about finding purpose in the challenges and using creativity to solve real-world problems.”
What Sets The Mil Project Apart
Unlike typical hotels or resorts, The Mil Project is driven by a deep understanding of the military community’s needs. The mixed-use model blends hospitality with retail, dining, and community-driven spaces, creating a more holistic experience for visitors and locals alike. These developments are intentionally placed just outside military bases, making them accessible to the military community while also serving as a welcoming destination for travelers, local residents, and service members alike.
The Mil Project doesn’t just offer a place to stay; it creates an environment where people can gather and engage. The focus is on intentional design that speaks to the grit and resilience of military life while offering spaces that foster creativity, relaxation, and connection.
Moreover, Rachel’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in the understanding that military families often face uncertainty, stress, and isolation. By creating spaces that offer respite from these challenges, The Mil Project helps to reimagine what life can look like outside of the base turning ordinary, overlooked spaces into vibrant, dynamic hubs of community and connection.
Looking to the Future
The future of The Mil Project is bright, with plans to expand to more military installations across the U.S. and eventually beyond. Rachel is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in military-adjacent hospitality. The Mil Project’s ability to blend design, community, and purpose is setting a new standard for military towns–one that can inspire change on a global scale.
“Edwards AFB is just the beginning,” Rachel says. “The goal is to bring these spaces to every remote base in the country, and one day, perhaps, around the world. The vision is bigger than any one project. It’s about changing the way we think about military life and how we can better serve military families.”
Join the Journey
For military families and service members looking for a different kind of experience, The Mil Project offers an opportunity to be part of something truly transformative. With its commitment to community, intentional design, and innovative approach, The Mil Project is more than just a business, it’s a mission to change the way military life is experienced, one remote base at a time.
To learn more about The Mil Project and stay updated on upcoming developments, visit The Mil Project’s website or follow them on Instagram here.
