Former Pabst brewhouse becomes boutique hotel
MILWAUKEE – The building that housed the heart of Pabst beer brewing operations for more than a century is becoming a hotel.
TODAY’S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray got a behind-the-scenes look at the construction inside the historic brewhouse.
The 90-room Brewhouse Inn & Suites is scheduled to open in March 2013.
Gorman & Company is overseeing the conversion project and plans to manage hotel operations.
"It makes you think back to what a wonderful place this was and hopefully we can just continue to tell the story,” said Laura Narduzzi, Gorman & Company’s regional manager.
Giant copper brewing kettles will become the centerpiece of the main floor reception area.
Cream City brick, well-preserved historic stained glass and vintage spiral staircases will be featured prominently. Most guest rooms will surround an open atrium with the brew kettles at the bottom and a new natural light ceiling on the top.
"Wherever there was any type of wood or beam or anything we did our best to leave it exposed,” Narduzzi explained. "There's just a lot of character and beauty to the building we're going to maintain."
Top level rooms will be called Baron Suites, a tribute to Milwaukee’s four beer barons.
Original floor boards are being repurposed to make things like kitchen tables and bedroom headboards for hotel guestrooms.
Visitors got to see the construction project during last weekend’s Doors Open Milwaukee tours.
"It's better to save history than to tear it all down and start over,” said visitor Renee Haffemann.
"It's going to be fantastic,” added Mary Moore. “I'd love to stay down here sometime."
The Brewhouse Inn & Suites will cater to extended stay visitors.
Brewing operations at the building ceased in 1996.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.