Careful craftsmanship preserves the soaring
lobby’s most beloved details; refreshed décor, lighting and seating
to accentuate the hotel’s essence of modern elegance and
sophistication
For more than 130 years, The Pfister Hotel’s soaring lobby has
welcomed travelers and locals alike with both impeccable elegance
and a comforting sense of ease. Now, the historic AAA Four Diamond
hotel, owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, is
further accentuating the grandeur of Milwaukee’s most beautiful
lobby, as part of the next phase of The Pfister’s extensive $20
million renovation plan. Set to be complete this summer, this
follows the full revitalization of The Pfister’s ballrooms, meeting
and event spaces, and historic guest rooms.
"Celebrating over a century of timeless elegance, The Pfister
stands as a beacon of luxury and heritage. As we focus on the
meticulous renovation of our historic lobby and first-floor public
spaces, we are reminded that in addition to revitalizing physical
spaces, we are preserving a storied legacy,” said Michael Evans,
president of Marcus Hotels & Resorts. “While enhancing the
future experience of our guests, we are also honoring the countless
memories that have been woven into the fabric of The Pfister since
1893.”
A Timeless Mural
The Pfister’s award-winning domed painted ceiling, which was
created in 1993 to celebrate The Pfister’s 100th anniversary,
recently underwent a careful refurbishment to preserve its original
design and give it new life for the next century. The iconic
“Salve” – a Pfister legacy of excellence established by Guido and
Charles Pfister when the hotel first opened – continues to preside
over the lobby, with new lighting accenting the ceiling’s delicate
artwork and architecture. “Salve,” which means a warm welcome and a
promise of a safe and comfortable stay in the finest of
accommodations, is both a pledge to every guest who enters The
Pfister as well as a credo to every associate committed to
delivering excellence at every turn.
The Pfister once again commissioned Conrad Schmitt Studios,
Inc., creators of timeless interiors and fine works of art for
buildings of architectural, historic, and religious significance
throughout Milwaukee and beyond, to restore the ceiling mural as
Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. was the original designer of the
iconic mural. Designed by Bernard O. Gruenke and his son Bernard E.
Gruenke, the refurbishment was completed by Bernard E.’s children
and several grandchildren, creating a unique tie to the hotel’s
strong familial connections, tradition, and history.
Marrying Yesterday with Today
In addition to the domed ceiling, the lobby’s other signature
elements will be restored, including the original marble found
along the grand staircase, as well as the historic chandeliers and
the cozy fireplace, complete with original terracotta stone. The
famous life-size bronze lions will continue their watch at the
staircase landing, while several original sculptures, statues and
other artwork will adorn the lobby. Each signature element will be
lightly refurbished for both aesthetic and functional purposes.
In addition to the renewal of the lobby’s most beloved features,
the renovation will feature a warm neutral color palette with new
tailored drapery and luxurious furnishings that include curated
antiques and new furniture designed to be reminiscent of the late
1800s, with the comfort and sophistication of today. Custom
Axminister carpet will weave throughout the lobby, with a distinct
design to mimic the lobby’s architecture. The popular lobby bar
will also include upgraded lighting and furnishings that emphasize
the hotel’s historical design elements.
Revitalized Event Spaces and Historic Guest Rooms
The Pfister has already completed renovations of its stately
meeting and event spaces and historic guest rooms. Utilizing a new
and refined color palette, nearly every element of the ballrooms
and meeting and event spaces were updated to include luxurious
wallcoverings, custom Axminster wool carpet, state-of-the-art
lighting and technology, tailored drapery and historic fixtures for
a new appealing look that honors the hotel’s historic roots. The
redesign also incorporated many elements of The Pfister’s storied
past, including The Imperial Ballroom’s original gold-plated
chandeliers and stunning gilded ceiling, as well as the Grand
Ballroom’s exquisite crystal chandeliers. In addition, the
pre-function area was updated to complement the renovations with
added functional nuances for customized guest experiences.
The Pfister's newly renovated historic guest rooms are now
available for visitors to experience the hotel’s timeless elegance
and history. The lavishly appointed rooms feature modern takes on
Victorian design and include updated furnishings, new crown
molding, additional consigned works of art, plush custom carpeting,
and refreshed drapery and window treatments along with updated
lighting designed to brighten every room. Each guest room features
a completely new bathroom with modern design amenities,
Wisconsin-based Kohler Co. bathroom fixtures, and mirrors with
built-in lighting. All updated rooms now feature a wet bar area for
entertaining, with marble countertops and custom wood cabinets.
Information on the future phases of The Pfister’s renovation
will be forthcoming. More about the project can be found here.
About The Pfister Hotel
Celebrating over 130 years, The Pfister Hotel is one of the
oldest and most prestigious hotels in the Midwest and downtown
Milwaukee. Originally opened in 1893 by businessman Guido Pfister,
it was the most lavish hotel of its time. Today, The Pfister Hotel
continues its tradition of gracious service and impeccable style
and has been recognized by AAA as a Four Diamond property for over
45 consecutive years. The hotel is also consistently recognized by
top national industry and travel publications and associations,
such as Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards as a
Top Hotel in the Midwest. This exceptional property is a member of
two distinguished hotel organizations, Historic Hotels of America,
and Preferred Hotels & Resorts. For more information, please
visit www.thepfisterhotel.com and follow the hotel on Facebook and
Twitter (@PfisterHotel).
About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 16 hotels,
resorts, and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive
portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts,
historic properties, and premium branded and independent
first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved
operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality
industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset
value for hotel owners through its expertise in management,
development and product repositioning. This includes unique food
and beverage concepts, developed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts,
such as Mason Street Grill, ARIA Restaurant, Milwaukee ChopHouse,
Miller Time® Pub & Grill and SafeHouse® Restaurant. For more
information, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com and follow
the company on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Sam Wisniewski sam.wisniewski@hprstrategies.com