The Dubbel Dutch, an independent boutique hotel in Milwaukee’s East Town neighborhood, will be open by the Democratic National Convention.
The development team converting the Charles A. Koeffler, Jr. House at 817-819 N. Marshall St. into a 17-room hotel announced the name of the new hotel Wednesday morning. The team also announced the hotel had secured a federal historic designation and is set to open in May.
The team includes Juli Kaufmann, of Fix Development LLC, Andy Braatz, of Braatz Building Inc., and Patrick Jones, of Ramsey Jones Architects.
Dubbel Dutch gets its name from the building’s original architecture, according to a news release. The historic side-by-side, or double house, was designed by Ferry & Clas in 1898. The choice for the Flemish-Dutch spelling for “double” is due to the building’s Flemish-style shaped gables crowned with finials.
“The property will pay homage to the architects of the past and a nod to the design of today with a historic-meets-modern vibe,” Jones said in the release.
Dubbel Dutch will also feature an on-site restaurant, which will have both indoor and outdoor dining areas as well as a full bar. It will serve both hotel guests and local residents, with communal spaces to encourage socialization.
Food and beverage plans for the restaurant and bar are still being finalized, and an operator will be announced later this winter, according to the release.
Since the hotel will be open in May, the team plans on accepting inquiries for a six-night, 17-room buyout during the DNC in mid-July.
The developers are working with a number of local firms on the hotel’s design and branding.
Sharon Kevil, founder of Milwaukee-based furniture company Forti LLC, will design the interiors and create the guest room furniture. Forti will launch its first line of furniture this summer, according to the release.
Forti’s modern furnishings will accent the building’s “extraordinary” interior finishes, the release states.
Milwaukee-based B&Co., a branding agency that specializes in hospitality, is leading the branding and marketing of Dubbel Dutch. Brigette Breitenbach, president of B&Co., recently discussed branding in the hospitality industry in BizTimes Milwaukee magazine.
“We’ve gathered an outstanding team of individuals to transform this property into an incredibly special property, answering a need for hotel rooms in Milwaukee’s downtown neighborhood,” Kaufmann said in the release.
The developers are seeking a house manager to manage all facets of the hotel operation.
A locally designated structure since 1986, the former Koeffler House recently secured historic designation from the federal government as a rare example of Period Revival architecture. It will be fully restored by Braatz Building in keeping with national historic standards.
