Evoking the passion, power and purpose of Milwaukee’s flourishing arts scene, Marcus Hotels & Resorts recently announced that it is reinventing the 221-room InterContinental Milwaukee into a creatively bold independent arts hotel.
Daring to blend impeccable hospitality with curated exhibits, contemporary installations and engrossing live performances, Milwaukee will soon be home to one of the country’s most immersive and inviting arts hotel experiences.
“The arts spark conversation and debate. The arts inspire and heal. They are part of our daily life, while also serving as an escape. And the arts bring people together, despite differing tastes, backgrounds and experiences,” said Greg Marcus, president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation. “For generations, Milwaukee’s arts scene has been central to the city’s health, vibrancy and reputation as a culturally relevant home and destination. By reimagining this hotel’s place in our community, we aspire to serve as a welcoming, freeing space for those who wish to experience Milwaukee through an entirely different lens.”
Three key elements – the modern design of the hotel, its prime location in the heart of the city’s growing arts and entertainment district, and Milwaukee’s extraordinary creative community – will all come together to design an experience unlike any other. The curtain is expected to rise on the redesigned property in mid-2019, unveiling a hotel nestled within a dynamic, urban arts scene. Featuring collections and standalone pieces from international and local artists, both known and up-and-coming, the hotel will also serve as host to performing arts experiences.
Building off the success of Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ ground-breaking Artist-in-Residence program at The Pfister Hotel, the property will also feature a similar working studio where guests can share in the evolution of each artist’s work up close and personal.
Its on-site culinary destinations will celebrate local flavors and customs while creating a bite or sip that challenges tradition. And completing the experience, guests will not only be able to see and taste all that local artisans have to offer, but also touch and feel it through locally-procured products that celebrate our roots, and service that warmly envelops them from the moment they walk in the door.
The Marcus Corporation and its leadership team have long been avid supporters of the arts in Milwaukee, with the impact seen throughout the community. For example, years ago Steve Marcus, chairman of The Marcus Corporation, led the group that brought internationally renowned artist Robert Indiana to Milwaukee to paint the Mecca basketball floor, creating one of the largest canvases ever to national and lasting acclaim.
The company helped lead the formation of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) in Milwaukee, which today is the leading funding source for many performing arts organizations. It provided the lead donation for the campaign that led to the naming of the Marcus Center for Performing Arts, Milwaukee’s premier, multi-use performing arts venue.
This past summer, Steve Marcus created and vigorously championed Sculpture Milwaukee, which is one of the largest urban outdoor sculpture galleries in the world. And, most recently, the company donated its ownership of the Warner Grand Theatre to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to be used as its next performance venue.
“We have long held a deep-seated passion for how the arts enhance the vibrancy and interconnectedness of our communities,” added Marcus. “With this project, we saw a very special opportunity to push the envelope and create an entirely new concept that pays homage to the arts. Ultimately, our hope is that a visit or a stay at this hotel will inspire our guests to explore more of what’s possible and experience our community in a way that is more personal. So much so that when they leave, they are already planning their return to see what’s next.”
The Marcus Corporation
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