Signed franchise agreement with Marriott in place; construction to start later this year
Jackson Street Management LLC, developer of the proposed Marriott hotel near the intersection of East Wisconsin Ave. and North Milwaukee St. in Downtown Milwaukee, today announced it has reached an agreement with a new company - White Lodging Services Corporation of Merrillville, Ind. - to manage the hotel. White Lodging operates more than 114 Marriott International Hotels properties in 18 states, as well as a number of premium-branded hotels under other flags.
Jackson Street Management originally had intended to move forward with Memphis-based Davidson Hotel Company.
"Davidson is an excellent company, and we hope to have the opportunity to work with them on other projects," said Ed Carow, managing director of Jackson Street Management. "White Lodging, however, is unique in terms of its role in working with the Marriott brand and is strongly positioned in Midwest markets similar to Milwaukee, making them our choice for the Downtown Marriott. Their team will bring many positives to this effort."
The developer also announced it has signed a franchise agreement with Marriott, ensuring the new hotel will be a Marriott property.
"To have the signed Marriott franchise agreement in place, and to have secured White Lodging for this project, are important steps in the process," Carow said. "White Lodging is one of the premier names in the U.S. hospitality industry, and its experience and expertise will be a valuable addition to our team and to Milwaukee. Together, we will build a wonderful, state-of-the-art hotel that will generate hundreds of good jobs, millions of dollars in new tax revenue and a positive economic boost for the area."
White Lodging properties include successful mid- to large-scale premium-branded hotels across the country, including the new JW Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis, the Marriott Hotel in Nashville, the Louisville Marriott and the Courtyard by Marriott on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. The company has earned many prestigious hospitality awards, including the J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence, the AAA 4-Diamond Award, the Mobil 4-Star Award, as well as honors from Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Holiday Inn, Renaissance Hotels and others.
"We are thrilled to join forces with the Jackson Street Management team in bringing a Marriott hotel to Downtown Milwaukee," said Deno Yiankes, president and CEO of White Lodging's Investments and Development division. "The location is second to none, and we look forward to working with our fellow hoteliers and becoming actively engaged in the local community."
The Downtown Marriott will front Milwaukee Street and Wisconsin Avenue and be constructed around the existing Johnson Bank building at 333 E. Wisconsin Ave. It will incorporate all of the Wisconsin Avenue façades of the 19th-century buildings currently on the site. The proposed hotel will have 200 guest rooms and suites, meeting and banquet space accommodating gatherings ranging from small, intimate board meetings to large weddings and group events, an upscale restaurant with street-level access, a bar and a full range of hotel services and amenities. Longtime Milwaukee jeweler Schwanke-Kasten also has announced plans for a store in the hotel.
Groundbreaking on the new hotel is planned for later this year. The project has been approved by the Milwaukee Common Council.
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