Hilton Milwaukee
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1928 |
| Founder | Walter Schroeder |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee , United States |
| Products | Hotel services |
| Owner | Marcus Corporation |
| Website | www |
The Hilton Milwaukee is a landmark hotel featuring Art Deco design, inaugurated in 1928 and situated in Milwaukee's Westown district within downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The property is under the ownership of the Marcus Corporation, which also controls the Pfister Hotel and Saint Kate Hotel, both located in downtown Milwaukee.
History
Originally known as the Schroeder Hotel, this establishment opened its doors in 1928, developed by prominent hotel entrepreneur Walter Schroeder and crafted by the architectural firm Holabird & Roche. The building's façade exhibits a streamlined neo-classical aesthetic, while its interior spaces are adorned with Art Deco details, including rich hardwood finishes and ornamental metal accents. Rising 25 stories, the structure measures , with an antenna added in 1953 that extends its height to .
In 1964, ownership transferred from Schroeder to Towne Realty. Management shifted in April 1965 when Sheraton Hotels assumed control and rebranded it as the Sheraton-Schroeder Hotel. Sheraton committed $2 million toward refurbishment efforts and completed full acquisition of the hotel by January 1967. Subsequently, in 1972, local entrepreneur Ben Marcus purchased the property, undertook renovations, and relaunched it as the Marc Plaza Hotel in 1973.
By 1995, the Marcus Corporation entered into a partnership with Hilton Hotels, resulting in Hilton managing the venue and renaming it the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. In 2000, a new 13-story addition was constructed by Mortenson following designs by Kahler Slater Architects, accompanied by an indoor waterpark named Paradise Landing, which ceased operations in 2013.
The Hilton was designated to serve as the principal hotel for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, but plans were altered due to the pandemic, leading to a temporary shutdown and modifications to the event structure. The hotel closed its doors in March 2020 amid COVID-19 concerns and had permanently dismissed 79 employees by June of that year.
In December 2024, following a $40 million refurbishment, the hotel adopted the simplified name Hilton Milwaukee. It holds membership within Historic Hotels of America, an initiative overseen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Renovation efforts commenced on the original historic tower comprising 554 guest rooms; meanwhile, the west wing added in 2000—housing 175 rooms—will reopen independently as The Marc Hotel in January 2026, featuring a separate entrance on North 6th Street. Plans also include dismantling the rooftop antenna standing at 400 feet tall—a complex task anticipated to involve helicopter assistance—though no timeline has been confirmed.