Hospitality management company Charlestowne Hotels has continued expansion in the Midwest with the sustainable boutique property Hotel Verdant. The 80-room adaptive-reuse project in Racine, WI, is located in what was once the Zahn’s Department Store building, a shopping destination popular with residents since 1898.
Vacant for the past 40 years, the Monument Square landmark is downtown’s newest hotel built in decades, preserving and respecting the building’s historical elements while incorporating numerous sustainable, energy-reducing design and operational features.
“Charlestowne specializes in managing adaptive reuse projects and properties situated in secondary markets, making Hotel Verdant a dream hotel for us,” said Kyle Hughey, CEO, Charlestowne Hotels. “We understand how to amplify the legacy of beloved establishments, ushering in thoughtful and intentional changes to give historic spaces a second life for the modern era. Racine is a hidden gem tucked between Milwaukee and Chicago, and we’re looking forward to introducing travelers to the city’s splendor and charm through the amenities and experiences at Hotel Verdant.”
Hotel Verdant is on track to become a LEED-Certified boutique hotel that’s both friendly to the environment and inspired by it. With views of Lake Michigan, the nature-infused guestrooms and suites were designed to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside, according to the company, incorporating hygge, the Danish term to describe coziness, comfort and feelings of wellness and contentment.
Through a partnership with the Racine Art Museum—located across the street from the hotel—guestrooms and public areas are adorned with nearly 200 works of original local art. The selected works reflect the hotel’s investment in sustainability through thoughtful expression of community and place, and in many instances, the incorporation of natural and recycled materials to repurpose environmental waste.
Additional sustainable touchpoints include the hotel’s green roof, solar panels and wind turbines, from which on-site energy is produced. Amenities include the 3,500-sq.-ft. Belle Ballroom, Marguerite italian restaurant and Eave rooftop bar and restaurant.
“We understand the positive impact a boutique hotel can have on a downtown and a city-at-large,” said Michael O’Connor, chairman/principal, Dominion Properties, the ownership group behind Hotel Verdant. “Charlestowne’s tailored management style allows us to embrace our role as ‘Racine’s Living Room’ by drawing travelers in through thoughtful programming, creative culinary offerings and curated guest services, further transforming us into the home base for discovering the culture and natural beauty of Racine, WI.”
Hotel Verdant is located two blocks from Lake Michigan and Racine Harbor. The property is Charlestowne’s second in Wisconsin and joins six other boutique hotels in the company’s Midwest portfolio.
