21c Museum Hotels
| Company type | Private (acquired by Accor) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Art Museums |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Laura Lee Brown, Steve Wilson |
| Headquarters | Louisville , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Craig Greenberg (former CEO) |
| Products | Boutique hotels, Contemporary art museums, Restaurants |
| Owner | Accor (majority), Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson (15% stake) |
| Parent | Accor |
21c Museum Hotels is a distinctive blend of contemporary art museums and boutique hotels, with its headquarters located in Louisville, Kentucky. The brand manages nine properties throughout the United States, including sites in Lexington, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois, Bentonville, Arkansas, Durham, North Carolina, and St. Louis, Missouri. Each venue combines a boutique lodging experience with a contemporary art museum and an on-site restaurant. In July 2018, the French hospitality group Accor purchased the chain for $51 million.
The brand has garnered notable accolades within the hospitality sector, ranking among the Top 10 Hotels worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards from 2009 to 2011 and securing the #1 Hotel position in the Southern United States in 2012. In 2013, the Cincinnati property was recognized as the best hotel in America and ranked 11th globally by Condé Nast Traveler.
History
Established in 2006 by art collectors and philanthropists Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, 21c was created to rejuvenate Louisville’s downtown arts district while promoting local agriculture. The founders collaborated with regional farmers to provide produce for their Proof on Main restaurant and bar.
Craig Greenberg joined as president in 2012, advanced to CEO in 2017, and stepped down in 2020. Following the success of Louisville’s flagship, the company expanded to seven locations with additional hotels planned. After being acquired by Accor, Brown and Wilson retained a 15% ownership stake and continued their involvement.
In 2023, the hotels in Oklahoma City and Nashville underwent rebranding under new management: OKC became Hyatt’s Fordson, while Nashville was renamed The Bankers Alley Hotel Nashville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
21c Museum
Operating around the clock with complimentary entry, the museum has hosted more than twenty special exhibitions since its inception in 2006. Prominent shows have included Creating Identity: Portraiture Today and Hybridity: The Evolution of Species and Spaces in 21st-Century Art. The museum has also presented projects by renowned artists such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and John Waters.
Artworks
The permanent collection features pieces by artists including Bill Viola, Tony Oursler, Andres Serrano, Kara Walker, Chuck Close, and Serkan Özkaya. Site-specific commissions include Werner Reiterer’s inaugural U.S. public sculpture (2006), Ned Kahn’s "Cloud Rings" (2006), and Daan Roosegaarde’s "Flow 5.0" (2013).
Louisville, Kentucky
The flagship property in Louisville occupies five restored 19th-century warehouses that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places within the city’s arts district. It includes Proof on Main restaurant, celebrated for its use of locally sourced ingredients and an extensive bourbon selection. The site also displays "The Statue of David," a double-sized golden replica created by Turkish artist Serkan Özkaya.
Designed by Deborah Berke & Partners Architects, this establishment has received several architectural honors such as the American Institute of Architects Kentucky Honor Award (2011) and Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year Award for Hospitality Design (2006). It is also recognized by Historic Hotels of America through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Cincinnati, Ohio
In Cincinnati, 21c undertook a $48 million renovation of the historic Hotel Metropole, transforming what was once a low-income housing facility into a revitalized hotel.
Bentonville, Arkansas
The brand’s third establishment opened in 2013 on a site that was previously a cornfield on the outskirts of Bentonville’s urban area. This location earned recognition from Travel + Leisure as one of the top 15 hotels in the United States in 2017.
Durham, North Carolina
In March 2015, 21c introduced its fourth hotel by purchasing and refurbishing the historic Hill Building for $5.25 million. The total investment reached $48 million to convert the structure into a 125-room hotel situated in Downtown Durham, conveniently close to prominent venues such as Durham Bulls Stadium and DPAC.
Lexington, Kentucky
February 2016 marked the opening of 21c’s fifth property inside the Fayette National Bank Building in Lexington.
Chicago, Illinois
The company expanded to Chicago in February 2020 by renovating The James Hotel located in the River North Gallery District. This hotel offers 297 guest rooms along with more than 10,000 square feet dedicated to exhibition and meeting facilities.
St. Louis, Missouri
August 2023 saw the debut of a boutique hotel and art museum with 173 rooms in Downtown West, St. Louis.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
In June 2016, 21c launched a hotel within the historic Fred Jones Assembly Plant, notable for its Ford Model T production heritage. The property was sold in 2023 and subsequently rebranded as Hyatt’s Fordson.
Nashville, Tennessee
The Nashville location opened in May 2017 inside the historic Gray & Dudley building downtown. It was sold in 2023 and renamed The Bankers Alley Hotel Nashville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Kansas City, Missouri
July 2018 marked the opening of a 120-suite gallery hotel housed in the historic Savoy Hotel and Grill. This property was sold in 2025 and became The Hotel Savoy, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Further developments
A new property is actively being developed for Pittsburgh with an anticipated opening in 2024. Plans for a Des Moines hotel remain uncertain following delays related to "The Fifth" project. Additionally, a proposed Indianapolis hotel planned for the old city hall was canceled in 2017 due to financial challenges.
Restaurants
Each 21c hotel includes an onsite restaurant that showcases regional cuisine, with many earning accolades such as James Beard Award nominations. Current dining venues include:
- The Hive - Bentonville
- Metropole - Cincinnati
- Counting House - Durham
- Lockbox - Lexington
- Proof on Main - Louisville
- Lure Fishbar - Chicago
- Idol Wolf - St. Louis