The historic Hilton Milwaukee, the city’s largest hotel, is undergoing a renovation that is expected to cost more than $40 million and be completed by summer 2025. It will be the most extensive renovation in Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ history, encompassing the transformation of its guestrooms, 34,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event spaces and the lobby.
“The Hilton Milwaukee has been a towering mainstay in Milwaukee since 1928, and we are thrilled to usher in a new modern era that honors the hotel’s long tradition of style and elegance,” said Michael Evans, president, Marcus Hotels & Resorts. “While taking great care to celebrate its distinguished past, this remodel will dramatically elevate the look, feel and experience of this stately city landmark into a brand-new hotel. As the largest hotel in Milwaukee, we look forward to welcoming locals, leisure travelers and group and convention guests alike as they experience and enjoy everything about our hometown, including the expanded Baird Center right across the street.”
Previously known as the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, the hotel has been rebranded to Hilton Milwaukee, as it is most commonly known, to coincide with the coming transformation.
As part of the renovation, the Hilton Milwaukee will renovate all 554 guestrooms in the historic hotel’s original footprint. The remaining 175 rooms located in the west tower will eventually be removed from the available room inventory.
The completely revitalized and restyled guestrooms will combine the hotel’s 1920s aesthetics with modern style, according to Marcus. Featuring a warm color palette with soft wood and gold accents, each renovated room will be completely made over to include new furnishings and lighting, as well as new, custom-designed carpet and draperies.
Guestroom bathrooms will also be completely redesigned and remodeled to include newly tiled showers and marble countertops, along with Kohler Co. fixtures and mirrors with built-in lighting.
The new guestrooms will also feature motion sensor lighting, steamers and Nespresso machines, as well as updated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
The hotel’s more than 34,000 sq. ft. of meeting & event space, which includes three ballrooms, pre-function spaces and meeting rooms, will undergo extensive renovations. Dating back to the early 20th century, each ballroom features high ceilings and details such as the original chandeliers, antique mirrors, gold-leafed adornments and silver accents. These historical elements will be refurbished to their original state.
Throughout the hotel’s event and meeting spaces will be new carpeting, draperies and wallcoveringss, as well as a new sound system, updated HVAC and lighting controls and new digital signage throughout.
The two-story lobby feature chandeliers, geometric motifs and rich woodwork accenting the stately marble pillars and floors. The original lobby bar is now called The Monarch Lounge.
Responding To Market Conditions
In 2011, the Hilton Milwaukee became a member of Historic Hotels of America. It is close to the newly constructed Baird Center, the city’s Theater District, the lakefront and Summerfest grounds, Fiserv Forum, the Deer District and the Historic Third Ward.
