The Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, Milwaukee
Where Hospitality Meets a Living Gallery
From Corporate Shell to Cultural Beacon
Once a forgettable InterContinental from the 1980s, The Saint Kate has been radically reborn as Milwaukee’s most daring design hotel. Reimagined by Stonehill Taylor, the property now serves as a full-scale cultural hub, pulsing with art, performance, and music. Owners Greg and Linda Marcus—stalwarts of the city’s creative scene—set out to create not just a hotel, but a stage for expression. What emerged is a destination where every hallway, room, and corner hums with imagination.
A Museum Disguised as a Hotel
Art isn’t an afterthought here—it’s the soul of the place. More than 100 works by iconic artists like Damien Hirst, Robert Rauschenberg, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Candida Höfer line the walls, while rotating exhibitions keep the collection alive and relevant under the direction of in-house curator Maureen Ragalie. Sculptures, photography, and installations transform the public spaces into a gallery where discovery is constant. Guests don’t just observe—they live inside an evolving exhibition.
Music in the Air
Equally vital is the hotel’s devotion to sound. Nightly performances fill the soaring lobby with rhythm, creating an atmosphere that’s part lounge, part concert hall. Guestrooms come stocked with record players and access to a carefully curated vinyl library, encouraging guests to soundtrack their stay with everything from jazz to punk. It’s a reminder that art here isn’t static—it’s alive, performed, and deeply felt.
Design That Frames Creativity
Stonehill Taylor’s redesign balances bold creativity with refined comfort. Neutral, gallery-like backdrops allow artworks to shine, while layered textures—oak, brushed metal, and soft textiles—add warmth and tactility. Guestrooms feel both modern and soulful, their pared-back palette elevated by playful design moments, locally crafted furnishings, and the creative spark of Milwaukee’s makers.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The Saint Kate is more than a hotel—it’s Milwaukee’s cultural living room. By pairing world-class art with live music, bold design, and a spirit of constant reinvention, it redefines what a hotel can be. For travelers who crave immersion over accommodation, and inspiration alongside comfort, The Saint Kate delivers in every brushstroke and every note.
