Design: A first look at W Foshay

Not that I’ve been keeping count, but it's hard not to notice that we’ve had four new luxury and/or boutique hotels open up in Minneapolis throughout the past few years. There’s the recent Ivy with its lauded Porter & Frye restaurant; the Westin in the old Farmer’s & Mechanics Bank; Graves 601 with its ultra-chic rooms and posh eatery, Cosmos; and, of course, Ralph Burnet’ s modern art-filled Chambers.

Within the next year, downtown Minneapolis will see two more hotels open up: The Hotel Minneapolis (a Doubletree Hotel) will open in August in the elegantly restored Midland building, promising a central location and luxury amenities for travelers of both business and pleasure. But the most anticipated new hotel for local history buffs, national architecture aficionados, and world travelers is Ralph Burnet’s W Minneapolis—The Foshay.

I had a chance to view the new W Foshay yesterday during a hardhat tour (the hotel is still under construction, but we were assured it will open on July 28, plenty of time before the RNC).

Although I am not originally from the Twin Cites, I had long heard my parents and grandparents (all from the Milwaukee area) tell stories of how the glorious and majestic Foshay building was the Minneapolis skyline. As soon as you saw it peeking over the horizon, you knew you were close to the city. I recognize the importance of such a historical building to our urban landscape and was pleased to learn that Burnet had purchased the building in hopes of turning it into another luxury hotel. The respect he demonstrated in refurbishing the building that now houses the Chambers has translated to the Foshay.

The W is certain to be sexy, provocative, and hip (a W Hotel's forte), but what is most impressive is the care that the Burnets, ESG Architects, Munge Leung Design Associates, and Shea Company construction have taken to restore the glory of the original 1928 building. Terrazzo floors were uncovered and refinished, original ceiling moldings were restored or, when beyond repair, completely replicated, and the exterior limestone will remain untouched.

But to inject a contemporary vibe into one of the greatest examples of art deco architecture, the décor will have more modern elements—color palette of gray, lavender, and shocking pink; clean-lined, lacquered furnishings; and plenty of dramatic lighting. Because of the unique architecture of the building, the 230 guest rooms will comprise fifty-three different design styles.

Nothing has been announced yet as far as the first floor restaurant goes, though knowing Burnet’s dedication to dining (he brought Jean George to the Chambers), we will likely get another important addition to our local dining scene. In addition, Keys will continue to operate and will also be an integral part of the room service offered to guests.

The main bar and lounge is situated in the grand first floor, but I think my friends and I will be spending most of our time in the African mahogany-paneled twenty-seventh floor, where the sweeping views of Minneapolis and cozy snugs are certain to spark romance.

The original ceilings are currently being restored to their art deco glory.

Artist rendering of the bar and lounge

W Living Room

W Great Room, a special event space

Guest room

 

Guest room bathroom

The guest room bar and lounge area

A view from the thirtieth floor observatory, which will once again be open to the public.

W Minneapolis—The Foshay opens July 28, 2008. 821 Marquette Ave., Mpls., 612-215-3700

Comments

[stevemarsh]

But you just told me you hated mahogany on Monday. I guess you have a soft spot for African mahogany paneling?

[stevemarsh]

Turn ons: contemporary vibes, African mahogany paneling, sweeping views, cozy snugs.

Turn offs: regular old mahogany.