First Hospitality has been selected by developers Hovde Properties and Mountain Shore Properties to manage the under-construction Historian Hotel in Madison, Wis.
Scheduled to open in Q1 2027, the 81-key lifestyle hotel will mark First Hospitality’s entry into the Madison market and its 11th property in Wisconsin. Housed within the 111-year-old Churchill Building—Madison’s first skyscraper and a nine-story Beaux-Arts landmark located at Carroll Street across from the Wisconsin State Capitol—the development will operate under Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio soft brand.
“This project reflects the power of shared vision, trust and true collaboration,” David Duncan, president and CEO of Chicago-based First Hospitality, said in a statement. “Strong owner relationships are central to our approach, and we look forward to this new partnership while continuing to grow our lifestyle portfolio and expand our relationship with Marriott’s soft-branded collection.”
“With its historic landmark setting and thoughtful design, this hotel will be a standout in Madison. First Hospitality’s experience in the lifestyle segment made them the right partner for this vision,” said Randy Guenther, president of Madison, Wisc.-based Hovde Properties.
Adaptive reuse plans are led by Angus-Young, with interior design by Parts and Labor Design and narrative development by B&Co. Restoration work will preserve key historic elements including the façade, interior staircases and original mosaic tilework. Each floor will highlight individuals or groups central to Madison’s history, reinforcing a story-driven guest experience. The project will also include a ground-floor culinary concept led by Milwaukee chef Dan Jacobs.