Downtown Milwaukee’s newest hotel incorporates portions of a 126-year-old building’s original architecture with modern lighting and design.
Bear Development converted the Button Block building at 500 N. Water St. into a 94-room Homewood Suites hotel, which opened to its first guests Nov. 21.
“We felt there was a lack of high-quality, extended stay options for people downtown,” said S.R. Mills, president of Bear Development.
Each of the rooms, which range from 400 to 600 square feet include a kitchenette and pull out couch.
The first two floors of the building previously housed Joey Buona’s Restaurant and before that, Brett Favre’s Steakhouse. The third through seventh floors were vacant.
Mills, who worked on getting the building under contract for more than four years, said he is thrilled with how the $17 million project turned out.
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- Front desk of Homewood Suites
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- Lobby area off of parking lot.
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- S.R. Mills, Bear Development president in hotel lobby.
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- A free continental breakfast is served daily.
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- Map on the first floor of Milwaukee.
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- Wall decor on first floor is one of many to explain buildings’ historic significance.
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- Business center on the first floor.
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- Sitting area.
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- Dining area retained original wood on the floor.
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- Door and brick in the hallway are original to the building.
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- Many guests rooms incorporate orginal brick.
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- Bathroom of one of the room. Mirrors are backlit in each room.
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- Each room has a full kitchen for guests.
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- About 40 percent of guests will stay more than three days.
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- Fitness area located on the lower level.
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- Because of the hotel’s age, there is not a pool. A splash pad and whirlpool are on the lower level.
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- Building’s original safe.
