Just because a hotel has a storied past doesn’t mean it needs to be stuck in it. That was the driving force behind owner and developer Robert Dunn’s vision for the renovation and expansion of Madison, Wisconsin’s The Edgewater. While leaving the exterior of the 202-key property’s two original buildings (one built in the 1940s and the other in the 1970s, while the current renovation expands the hotel to include a third structure) relatively untouched was a must, his mandate for Elkus Manfredi Architects was to put the design firmly in the 21st century while keeping a strong local flavor.
Technology provided the point of synchronicity between the two ideas. A long interactive media wall serves as art installation and local history lesson. Video displays showcase local stories and snippets from the history of the hotel. For the guestrooms, large windows and minimal adornment keep the streamlined feel.
The hotel also offers multiple dining venues: The Statehouse, The Statehouse Bar, The Café, The Icehouse and The Boathouse in addition to extensive meeting spaces. “We are thrilled to embark on the next chapter of The Edgewater’s history,” Dunn said. “We want the renovated and expanded property to return to its original purpose. The Edgewater serves as a civic place of importance for the community, a place that our future generations of locals and visiting guests can enjoy.”
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