Marcus Hotels & Resorts has completed the $42 million renovation and rebranding of the newly renamed Hilton Milwaukee.
The renovation of the city’s largest hotel—previously known as the Hilton Milwaukee City— includes a reimagined two-story lobby and lobby bar, modernized meeting and event spaces and 554 restyled guestrooms. The century-old property is operated by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of Milwaukee, Wis.-based The Marcus Corporation.
The update aimed to preserve the architectural character of the property, which opened in 1928, and followed the expansion of the nearby Baird Center. Originally opened as the Schroeder Hotel, the property was designed by architectural firm Holabird and Roche, also known for Chicago’s Palmer House.
Marcus Hotels & Resorts acquired the hotel in 1972, later renaming it the Marc Plaza and completing a major renovation that reduced the original 850 rooms to approximately 550 while adding a parking structure and swimming pool. The hotel became Hilton Milwaukee City Center in 1995 and was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2011.
“Hilton Milwaukee has been a treasured icon in the city for nearly a century,” Michael Evans, president of Marcus Hotels & Resorts, said in a statement. “This renovation allows us to honor the hotel’s legacy while delivering the design, comfort and functionality today’s leisure and business travelers expect.”
The hotel’s grand lobby showcases original crystal chandeliers, marble pillars and floors, geometric detailing and intricate woodwork. A refreshed, warm neutral color palette was introduced to highlight these historic elements. The Monarch Lounge—located off the lobby—was also updated with soft cream tones, custom carpeting and refined finishes designed to complement its stone-and-metal fireplace and signature chandeliers.
Hilton Milwaukee—which has more than 34,000 square feet of meeting and event space—refreshed the ballrooms, pre-function areas and meeting rooms with new carpeting, draperies and wall coverings while retaining restored chandeliers, antique mirrors, gold-leaf accents and polished silver detailing. The project also introduced upgraded lighting controls and digital signage.
All 554 guestrooms were refreshed with interiors designed to blend Art Deco-inspired symmetry with contemporary amenities. The design includes soft woods, gold accents, custom-designed carpeting and draperies and vibrant artwork. Guestrooms include new furnishings and lighting, motion-sensor lighting, in-room steamers and newly installed heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Guest bathrooms were also redesigned with marble countertops, built-in lighted mirrors and fixtures from Kohler Co. On-site dining options include Milwaukee ChopHouse, Miller Time Pub & Grill, The Monarch Lounge, Starbucks and The Café.