Hilton Milwaukee

Hilton Milwaukee is a historic hotel in the Westown area of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The property opened in 1928 as the Schroeder Hotel, developed by Milwaukee hotel operator Walter Schroeder and designed by the Chicago architectural firm Holabird & Roche. Its 25-story main tower combines a simplified neo-Classical exterior with Art Deco interiors featuring substantial hardwood finishes and decorative metalwork. The building became one of Milwaukee's best-known large urban hotels and remains an important part of the city's downtown hospitality and convention infrastructure. Ownership and operating identities changed several times during the hotel's history. Walter Schroeder sold the property to Towne Realty in 1964. Sheraton Hotels assumed management in 1965, after which the hotel was known as the Sheraton-Schroeder Hotel. Sheraton acquired the property in 1967 and carried out a renovation reported to have cost $2 million. In 1972, Sheraton sold the hotel to Milwaukee businessman Ben Marcus. Following another renovation, the property reopened in 1973 as the Marc Plaza Hotel. The Marcus Corporation brought Hilton Hotels in as manager in 1995, creating the Hilton Milwaukee City Center identity. A 13-story west-wing addition was completed in 2000. Designed by Kahler Slater Architects and constructed by Mortenson, the addition expanded the hotel's accommodation and meeting capacity. It was connected to Paradise Landing, an indoor waterpark that operated as an adjoining attraction until closing in 2013. The west wing was later treated separately from the historic main tower in renovation planning. The hotel has served both commercial and civic functions. Its location and scale made it a natural headquarters property for major conventions, and it was selected as the headquarters hotel for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted those plans and caused the property to close temporarily in March 2020, while the convention itself was substantially changed and conducted in a largely remote format. The closure also resulted in permanent layoffs affecting 79 Hilton Milwaukee City Center workers in June 2020. In December 2024, the property adopted the shorter Hilton Milwaukee name while beginning a major modernization program. Reports described the renovation as a $40 million project, while later descriptions put the investment in the historic 554-room main tower at $42 million. The main-tower work was completed in January 2026. The 175-room west wing was not included in that renovation and became The Marc Hotel, a separate adjoining limited-service hotel, with a newly built entrance on North 6th Street. Hilton Milwaukee is recognized as a member of Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The property continues to combine historic architecture, guest rooms, food and beverage services, event space, and convention-oriented accommodation. A planned removal of the approximately 400-foot rooftop antenna has been postponed because the operation requires specialized helicopter scheduling; no new removal date has been announced.

Hilton Milwaukee originated as the Schroeder Hotel, which opened in 1928 in downtown Milwaukee. The project was developed and owned by hotel magnate Walter Schroeder and designed by Holabird & Roche. Its 25-story tower was designed in a simplified neo-Classical manner on the exterior, while the interior employed Art Deco detailing, including hardwood finishes and decorative metalwork. The building rose approximately 274 feet, or 84 meters. A rooftop antenna added in 1953 extended the overall height to roughly 677 feet, or 206 meters. Schroeder sold the hotel to Towne Realty in 1964. Sheraton Hotels took over management in April 1965, and the property was renamed the Sheraton-Schroeder Hotel. Sheraton undertook a renovation reported at approximately $2 million and purchased the property outright from Towne Realty in January 1967. Sheraton's ownership lasted until 1972, when the hotel was sold to Milwaukee businessman Ben Marcus. Marcus renovated the property and reopened it in 1973 under the name Marc Plaza Hotel. The hotel remained associated with the Marcus organization, which later developed a broader Milwaukee hospitality portfolio. In 1995, The Marcus Corporation engaged Hilton Hotels to manage the property, leading to the Hilton Milwaukee City Center name. The change connected the historic local property to Hilton's international reservation, service, and brand-management system while preserving local ownership. The property expanded in 2000 with a 13-story west-wing addition. Kahler Slater Architects designed the addition and Mortenson constructed it. The expansion increased the hotel's capacity and was paired with Paradise Landing, an adjoining indoor waterpark. Paradise Landing closed in 2013. The west wing subsequently remained physically connected to the main hotel but was treated differently from the historic tower in later redevelopment plans. The hotel's size, central location, and event facilities have supported convention and civic activity in Milwaukee. It was selected as the headquarters hotel for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the planned event and prompted the hotel to close in March 2020. The convention was restructured with much of its programming delivered remotely. In June 2020, The Marcus Corporation permanently laid off 79 workers at the property, reflecting the severe effect of the pandemic on hotel operations and convention travel. In December 2024, the property was renamed Hilton Milwaukee. The name change accompanied a major renovation program focused on the historic 554-room main tower. Public descriptions have characterized the investment as either $40 million or $42 million. The renovation was reported completed in January 2026. The 175-room west wing was not renovated as part of that program; instead, it became The Marc Hotel, a separate adjoining limited-service property with a newly constructed entrance on North 6th Street. Hilton Milwaukee is listed as a member of Historic Hotels of America, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's official historic-hotel program. The building remains notable for its Art Deco interiors, downtown setting, and role in Milwaukee's lodging and convention network. Plans to remove the approximately 400-foot antenna from the roof have been delayed because the work requires helicopters capable of lifting the structure and careful scheduling. As reported in the available reference material, no removal date has been established.

• 2026

  Main-tower renovation completed

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  The renovation of the historic 554-room main tower is reported complete, while the west wing becomes The Marc Hotel.

• 2024

  Renamed Hilton Milwaukee

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  The property adopts the Hilton Milwaukee name as a major renovation program begins.

• 2020

  Pandemic closure and convention disruption

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  The hotel closes temporarily in March during the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting its planned role as headquarters hotel for the Democratic National Convention.

• 2013

  Paradise Landing closes

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  The adjoining indoor waterpark ceases operation.

• 2000

  West-wing addition opens

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  A 13-story addition designed by Kahler Slater and built by Mortenson expands the hotel alongside the Paradise Landing indoor waterpark.

• 1995

  Hilton management begins

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  The Marcus Corporation brings Hilton Hotels in to manage the property, which becomes Hilton Milwaukee City Center.

• 1973

  Reopens as Marc Plaza Hotel

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  Following renovation, the property reopens under the Marc Plaza name.

• 1972

  Sold to Ben Marcus

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  Local businessman Ben Marcus acquires the hotel from Sheraton.

• 1967

  Sheraton acquires the hotel

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  Sheraton purchases the property outright from Towne Realty after renovating it.

• 1965

  Sheraton assumes management

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  Sheraton Hotels begins managing the property, which becomes the Sheraton-Schroeder Hotel.

• 1964

  Property sold to Towne Realty

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  Walter Schroeder sells the hotel to Towne Realty.

• 1953

  Rooftop antenna added

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  An antenna is added to the roof, substantially increasing the structure's total height.

• 1928

  Schroeder Hotel opens

  [1]Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org

  Walter Schroeder's new 25-story hotel opens in downtown Milwaukee, with a simplified neo-Classical exterior and Art Deco interiors designed by Holabird & Roche.

A full-service, upper-upscale urban hotel combining historic architecture with convention, business, civic-event, and leisure accommodation in downtown Milwaukee.

• Hotel accommodation · 1928

  Historic main tower guest rooms

  The main tower contains 554 guest rooms in the historic portion of the property. Its accommodation offer is tied to the building's Art Deco character and downtown location, serving business travelers, convention attendees, civic-event guests, and leisure visitors. The tower underwent a major renovation beginning in December 2024 and reported completion in January 2026.

• Events and hospitality

  Meetings and conventions

  Hilton Milwaukee provides meeting, convention, banquet, and event facilities appropriate for large gatherings. Its scale and central Milwaukee location have made it a significant convention hotel, including its planned headquarters role for the 2020 Democratic National Convention before the pandemic changed the event format.

• Hospitality services

  Food and beverage services

  The hotel offers the food, beverage, banquet, and guest-service functions normally associated with a full-service urban hotel. These services support overnight guests, meetings, weddings, conventions, and other hosted events.

• Hotel accommodation · 2000

  West wing accommodation

  The 175-room west wing was added in 2000. It was not included in the historic main-tower renovation and became The Marc Hotel in January 2026, operating as a separate adjoining limited-service hotel with its own North 6th Street entrance.

• 2026

  Separate the west wing as The Marc HotelStrategy

  Background

  The 175-room west wing was not included in the renovation of the historic main tower.

  Action taken

  The west wing became The Marc Hotel, a separate adjoining limited-service hotel with a newly constructed North 6th Street entrance.

  Aftermath

  The Hilton-branded operation centers on the renovated historic tower, while the former addition operates under a distinct hotel identity.

  Source

• 2024

  Rename and renovate the historic main towerGeneration change

  Background

  The Marcus Corporation initiated a major redevelopment of the historic hotel after years of changing operating conditions and pandemic disruption.

  Action taken

  The property was renamed Hilton Milwaukee and the 554-room main tower entered a major renovation program described in available reports as costing $40 million to $42 million.

  Aftermath

  The main-tower renovation was reported complete in January 2026. The separate west wing was excluded from the work and became The Marc Hotel.

  Reported renovation investment. $40 million to $42 million (December 2024 to January 2026)

  Source

• 2020

  Temporarily close during the COVID-19 pandemicOther

  Background

  The pandemic sharply reduced travel, hotel occupancy, and convention activity in Milwaukee.

  Action taken

  The property closed in March 2020 and later permanently laid off 79 workers in June.

  Aftermath

  The closure disrupted the hotel's planned headquarters role for the 2020 Democratic National Convention and materially reduced its operating workforce.

  Source

• 1995

  Adopt Hilton management and brandingStrategy

  Background

  The Marcus Corporation sought Hilton management for its Milwaukee hotel after the property had operated under the Marc Plaza identity.

  Action taken

  Hilton Hotels began managing the property, which was renamed Hilton Milwaukee City Center.

  Aftermath

  The hotel became part of Hilton's operating and reservation network while remaining owned by The Marcus Corporation.

  Source

1. 1Hilton Milwaukeeen.wikipedia.org