Rosemont, Ill.-based First Hospitality Group plans to convert the 125-year-old Loyalty Building at 611 N. Broadway in downtown Milwaukee into a 128-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel, said Jim Stephenson, vice president of facilities for First Hospitality Group.
The plans, designed by Milwaukee-based Kahler Slater, were reviewed by the city’s Historic Preservation Commission on Monday. The commission granted partial approval, but delayed approval for a canopy and wheelchair ramp that would be added to the building.
First Hospitality plans to begin construction in August of September and plans to open the hotel in June of 2012.
First Hospitality Group purchased the six-story, 92,000-square-foot Loyalty Building and the 137-year-old, 45,975-square-foot Mackie Building at 225 E. Michigan St. in March. The company plans to convert the Loyalty Building from an office building into the hotel and will maintain the Mackie Building as an office building, while using the Grain Exchange Room in the Mackie Building for events utilizing the Hilton Garden Inn in the Loyalty Building.
BizTimes Milwaukee first reported on First Hospitality Group’s plans for the buildings in October, but only now are details about the size of the hotel and the flag for the hotel becoming public knowledge.
The Hilton Garden Inn is a select service hotel brand. In addition to the 128 guest rooms, the hotel in the Loyalty Building will have meeting space, a restaurant and bar and a fitness center, according to documents submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission.
