Downtown building converting to Kinn hotel
Work won’t be completed in time for DNC in July
Work is to begin soon on converting a vacant historic downtown Milwaukee building into a boutique hotel.
But an opening by July’s Democratic National Convention isn’t going to happen.
Developer Charles Bailey says his 32room Kinn MKE Guesthouse will likely open in late summer or early fall at 602606 N. Broadway.
It will be created by renovating that four-story office building, and adding a floor to its top.
The Historic Preservation Commission approved that proposal in August after opposing an initial plan to develop a 62-room hotel with five additional floors.
Bailey is using state and federal historic preservation tax credits to help finance the project.
He expects to receive final approval for the tax credits soon, with renovations to begin within about three to four weeks.
Bailey had hoped to open Kinn by the DNC, but obtaining the tax credits took longer than expected. He now plans to open before another major event: September’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits Golf Course, near Sheboygan.
Meanwhile,
Bailey has changed Kinn’s design to reduce the firstfloor restaurant space to around 2,000 square feet, and add five guest rooms.
The hotel also will feature a shared kitchen and conference room on each of its floors, and a rooftop deck that also serves as an events venue, he said.
The idea is to create a shared community among guests — a hallmark of Bailey’s eightroom Kinn Guesthouse, at 2535 S. Kinnickinnic
Ave., in Bay View.
The downtown restaurant operator hasn’t been determined yet, with Bailey seeking prospective tenants.
The hotel will be part of a growing number of new developments on downtown’s southern edge near the Historic Third Ward.
Other projects include the Huron Building, an 11story office building anchored by the future home of Husch Blackwell law firm, that’s under construction at 511 N. Broadway.
Also, a pair of six-story buildings that will house three hotels, a Home2 Suites and Tru hotel totaling 213 rooms and a 115room Holiday Inn Express, are being built at 433 E. Michigan St.
Finally, Central Standard Craft Distillery last week announced plans to open a tasting room and events venue at a historic renovated building, 320 E. Clybourn St.