General manager, area sales manager named as completion of historic renovation of Milwaukee’s First Financial Centre building draws near
Drury Hotels Company’s first property in Wisconsin, a historic renovation of the First Financial Centre building in Milwaukee, is close to completion and is scheduled to welcome guests Aug. 29, 2019.
The space for the new Drury Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Downtown has taken two years to renovate and preserve. The property will feature 227 guest rooms and more than 4,500 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space. The hotel is located at 700 N. Water Street, close to the Milwaukee RiverWalk, Milwaukee Art Museum and Marquette University.
As the hotel readies for guests, Drury team member Chris Palid has been named the property’s general manager. Sheila Reed, an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, has been hired to serve as the area sales manager. Once open, the hotel will employ 60 full and part-time team members.
“Chris and Sheila have deep experience in the tourism and hotel industry, and we’re fortunate to have them opening this unique property,” said Chuck Drury, president and CEO of Drury Hotels. “Milwaukee is a great city and a new market for us. We’re excited to introduce the Drury brand, and our team looks forward to providing travelers in Milwaukee with our award-winning service and amenities.”
The building originally was built in the Art Deco style in 1928 by the firm of Eschweiler & Eschweiler. Its façade was covered with brick in the 1980s to give the building a more modern look. The 14-story structure is connected to Milwaukee’s skywalk system and is within walking distance to every major office building in the downtown area.
The Milwaukee property is the latest in a line of historic renovations completed by Drury. Other historic renovations include properties in San Antonio; New Orleans; Santa Fe, New Mexico; St. Louis; Cleveland; Pittsburgh; and Wichita, Kansas.
Once opened, the hotel will offer guests a wide range of complimentary amenities, including:
Drury Hotels has been family-owned and operated since 1973. For a complete listing of all Drury hotels or for reservations, visit www.druryhotels.com or call 1-800-DRURYINN. For information about career opportunities at Drury Hotels, please apply online at www.drurycareers.com.
About Drury Hotels Company
Drury Hotels Company is a Missouri-based, family-owned and operated hotel system with more than 150 hotels in 25 states. Founded in 1973, Drury Hotels has been recognized by the J.D. Power 2018 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Studysm, earning the award for “Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upper Midscale Hotel Chains.” 2018 marked the 13th consecutive year Drury received this award.* Brands include Drury Inn & Suites®, Drury Inn®, Drury Plaza Hotel ®, Drury Suites®, Pear Tree Inn by Drury®, as well as other hotels in the mid-priced hotel segment. Drury Hotels continues to provide exceptional value for business and leisure travelers with its many free amenities - Travel Happy®. For more information, visit www.druryhotels.com or call 1-800-DRURYINN. Join the conversation on Twitter @druryhotels or on Facebook.
*Drury Hotels received the highest numerical score among upper midscale hotels in the proprietary J.D. Power 2005-2018 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Studiessm. The 2018 study is based on responses gathered between June 2017 and May 2018 from more than 63,000 guests in Canada and the United States who stayed at a hotel in North America between May 2017 and May 2018. For more information, visit www.jdpower.com.
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