21C MUSEUM HOTELS NEWEST PROPERTY IS NOW OPEN IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS (United States)
The latest address for the multi-venue contemporary art museum and award-winning hospitality brand is an urban oasis for artistic discovery, holistic wellness and world-class gastronomy |
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21C MUSEUM HOTELS NEWEST PROPERTY IS NOW OPEN IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS (United States)
The latest address for the multi-venue contemporary art museum and award-winning hospitality brand is an urban oasis for artistic discovery, holistic wellness and world-class gastronomy |
Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Industry economy -
Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2023-08-11
21c Museum Hotels, a multi-venue contemporary art museum and award-winning hospitality brand, is thrilled to announce the opening of its highly anticipated property in the heart of downtown St. Louis.
Like all 21c properties, 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis challenges the conventions of both the hospitality and museum worlds, providing a space where travelers and locals can come together to experience contemporary art exhibitions, community-focused cultural programming, and inspired food and beverage options that spark conversation and create connection.
21c Museum Hotels worked with architects Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaf + Goettel and interior designers from Hufft Projects and Bill Rooney Studio to carefully restore the 95-year-old, 10-story, Renaissance Revival-style YMCA building and reimagine it into a contemporary space that honors its historic roots.
The property now enters a new era as 21c St. Louis, boasting over 14,000 square feet of museum exhibition space featuring site-specific art installations and rotating, curated exhibitions, along with 173 artistically appointed rooms outfitted with exclusive artworks from artists who have strong ties to Missouri including Carmon Colangelo, Collin W. Elliott, Brandon Forrest Frederick, Bethanie Irons and La Vispera.
Two luxurious 21c Suites provide contemporary artwork; double-height windows with views of downtown St. Louis; an entertaining space, living and dining rooms; a kitchenette; and an upper-level fitness loft with state-of-the-art equipment from Peloton, TechnoGym and Forme Mirror.
In addition to the museum, gallery space and accommodations, the property is also home to a 10,500+ square foot athletic and wellness center, Locust Street Athletic and Swim Club, (an ode to its past as community recreation center), which will be available to hotel guests and as a membership to the local community; as well as the Good Press coffee shop, and chef-driven restaurant Idol Wolf, both led by Chef Matthew Daughaday.
The building’s historic spaces, such as the former gymnasium and fitness track, will be transformed into art-filled public meeting and event spaces equipped with the latest AV technology to accommodate museum programming and other events from weddings to intimate soirees and small board meetings.
“The opening of 21c St. Louis marks a new era for the 21c brand and the historically significant YMCA building.” says Sarah Robbins, COO of 21c Museum Hotels.
“We are incredibly proud to be able to provide the community of St. Louis and travelers alike with a space to come together, and with the opportunity to discover contemporary art around every corner. We hope that 21c St. Louis will be a trusted anchor for the community and look forward to seeing our guests connect with the local culture of St. Louis.”
Located a stone's throw from iconic city landmarks including the City Museum, Stifel Theatre and CITYPARK stadium, 21c St. Louis’ 14,000 square feet of museum exhibition space will present curated exhibitions and will be open 7 days per week, 24 hours per day, free of charge.
The property features multiple site-specific art installations created for 21c St. Louis and cited throughout the building’s public areas. Installations include O by Serkan Özkaya – an eight-foot diameter, spherical orb, filled with distilled water, which magnifies, diffracts, and alters the surrounding hotel reception area. Fallen Fruit, a project of David Allen Burns and Austin Young, created an immersive installation, sourced in and inspired by St. Louis, spanning three floors within the property’s historic main stairwell.
Visitors are able to walk amidst the various elements of the installation, including custom-designed wallcovering, carpeting, chandeliers, and wall sculptures, while experiencing the artwork entitled The Way Out West. Missouri native Nick Cave and partner Bob Faust have combined elements from Cave’s recent retrospective exhibition, Forothermore, which featured his iconic Soundsuits, to create a kaleidoscopic artwork, Until We Meet Again. Installed on the domed ceiling of the Good Press café, imagery in the artwork is both joyful and hopeful, while also referencing current issues and challenges.
Located in the outdoor amphitheater on the building’s east side, Viewfinder is an interactive sculpture by St. Louis-based artist and architect Chandler Ahrens; it was curated and produced in partnership with Laumeier Sculpture Park and Via Partnership. Through multiple viewing ports in the sculpture, visitors on the elevated patio can watch reflected tableaus of the surrounding architectural elements and busy streetscape.
21c St. Louis also opens with three temporary group exhibitions, presented in the museum galleries and public spaces on the first and second floors, including the major inaugural exhibition, curated by 21c Chief Curator and Museum Director, Alice Gray Stites, Revival: Digging Into Yesterday, Planting Tomorrow.
“Featuring over 70 artworks in a wide range of media, by 47 artists from all over the world, Revival explores the use of historical sources in contemporary art as a transformative lens to understand the past and the present, and through which to consider the future, as individuals and as a global community in St Louis” says Stites.
“We’re thrilled to open the doors of 21c St. Louis and welcome guests to this landmark property. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that we’re able to offer our local community and travelers from all over the globe the finest in contemporary art and hospitality, well known to the 21c brand.” shares General Manager JP Roberts.
The culinary program, led by Chef Matthew Daughaday, features two food and beverage outlets Idol Wolf and Good Press.
Idol Wolf combines local and seasonal ingredients with Iberian sensibilities to create a Spanish inspired shared drinking and dining experience. Pintxos and tapas-style small plates anchor the menu, with larger plates influenced by the paellas, seafood and stews of Northern Spain. Whether dining solo at the bar, or at a large table with friends and family, the menu is designed to be sampled from, so that each guest can experience the energy and excitement as waves of food hit the table.
An extensive spirit list, along with both old and new world cocktails and thoughtfully crafted zero-proof options, pair perfectly with every dish and serve as an added bonus to the global wine program. Idol Wolf features indoor and outdoor seating for over 100 guests plus a 14-person private dining area, as well as a lounge area, bar, and billiards room.
Idol Wolf Lounge & Billiards is open Sun – Thurs from 3:00 pm – 12:00 am and Fri – Sat from 3:00 pm – 1:00 am. Idol Wolf Dining Room is open Sun – Thurs from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm and Fri – Sat from 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm.
Good Press was designed to be a hub for hotel guests and downtown residents alike.
By utilizing local roasters, growers, and purveyors like St. Louis-based Big Heart Tea and Northwest Coffee, Good Press is committed to always putting the best of what the city has to offer front and center.
Whether quickly fueling up in the morning or setting up shop for the afternoon, customers can expect to find great coffee, classic café fare, and the ambient buzz of community. Breakfast will be served daily from 6:30 am – 11:00 am; and lunch will be served daily from 11:00 am – 4:30 pm. Seats will be available in both the caféand library.
The lower level of 21c St. Louis acts as a contemporary wellness destination for community members and guests, while paying homage to the property’s history as a YMCA.
A social wellness space for renewing body, mind and spirit, the Locust Street Athletic & Swim Club provides a space of over 10,500+ square feet for guests to relax and recharge, including the restored historic lap pool, hot tub, locker rooms, fitness center and studios, steam and sauna and two spa treatment rooms.
Membership to the Locust Street Athletic & Swim Club starts at $119 per month and includes a range of exclusive benefits: 4 guest passes per month, a $50 welcome gift, 24-hour access to the facilities, 1-hour physical orientation session, access to Arch Digital, (a comprehensive wellness platform), and full utilization of all amenities.
21c St. Louis is now accepting reservations with an introductory opening offer starting from $191 dollars per night, which includes access to all athletic and wellness amenities. To stay apprised of more information, follow 21c St. Louis on social media at @21cstl, or visit www.21cmuseumhotels.com/stlouis
About 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis
21c Museum Hotels reimagines a historic St. Louis fixture: the 10-story, Renaissance Revival-style YMCA building. Located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, and a short walk from the City Museum and CITYPARK stadium, 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis includes a 173-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, Idol Wolf restaurant, Good Press café, and a full-service wellness center. With more than 14,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting & event space seamlessly integrated into all areas of the property, there are opportunities to discover contemporary art around every corner.
About 21c Museum Hotels
21c Museum Hotels, an award-winning hospitality company based in Louisville, Kentucky, is pushing the boundaries of both the museum and hotel worlds to create a new kind of travel experience. The company was founded as a single property by contemporary art collectors and preservationists Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, whose mission was to share innovative contemporary art with the public and participate in the revitalization of downtown Louisville. The couple opened the first 21c in 2006 along downtown’s West Main Street, rehabilitating a series of 19th century warehouses to create a union of genuine hospitality, thoughtful design, and culinary creativity — all anchored by a contemporary art museum. Today, guests can enjoy eight 21c Museum Hotels in Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; Bentonville, Arkansas; Durham, North Carolina; Lexington, Kentucky; Kansas City, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri. The company is equally focused on creating unique, chef-driven restaurants that are as much a part of the community as each hotel. The 21c restaurant portfolio includes; Proof on Main, Metropole, The Hive, Counting House, Lockbox, The Savoy, Garage Bar, Idol Wolf, and Good Press. 21c is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global portfolio of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. For more information, visit Ennismore.com.
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