21c MUSEUM HOTEL SELECTED AS A WINNER OF THE URBAN LAND INSTITUTE’S 2013 GLOBAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
PRESS RELEASE— 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati was selected as a winner of the 35th annual Urban Land Institute (ULI) Global Awards for Excellence. 21c was one of twelve projects worldwide to be honored in the competition, widely recognized as the land use industry’s most prestigious recognition program.
The competition — which honors real estate projects that achieve a high standard of excellence in design, construction, economics, planning and management — is the centerpiece of ULI’s efforts to identify and promote best practices in all types of real estate development. Winning projects include D-Cube City in Seoul, South Korea, a public district that integrates a new model for urban renewal, smart density and transit-oriented development; Midtown Detroit for its innovative approach to the revitalization of an inner city district; and Via Verde in Bronx, New York, which provides much-needed healthy, affordable, urban housing for residents of the South Bronx and is an important component in the revitalization of this low-income neighborhood.
21c, which opened in November 2012, was recognized by ULI for the renewal of a historic building with an innovative model of integrating an art museum and hotel. 21c Museum Hotels renovated the 100-year-old Metropole Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, restoring it into a contemporary art museum, boutique hotel, restaurant and cultural center in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. The property’s 8,000 square feet of exhibition space is open free of charge to the public 24/7 and features rotating curated exhibitions, dynamic contemporary art installations, and cultural programming, such as poetry readings, film screenings, artist lectures, and live performances.
“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to restore this beautiful building, to be part of a vibrant community and to create an environment that allows people to interact with contemporary art,” said Steve Wilson, Co-founder and CEO of 21c Museum Hotels. “Contemporary artists are dealing with the issues that we are dealing with as a society. By exhibiting this art, we allow people to talk about subjects that may be uncomfortable or to laugh together at a work that they find comical. 21c is about creating that shared experience, both for the community and for our guests.”
According to jury chair M. Leanne Lachman, president of Lachman Associates, New York, NY, this year’s winning projects showcase efforts that have both succeeded in pushing ingenuity and exemplifying best practices in land use. “The 2013 ULI Global Award winners offer twelve remarkable projects that cover a broad geographic range, very diverse project typologies, and several models of development. And yet they all highlight a common thread: a committed contribution to a healthy living environment through responsible real estate development, and a dedication to building enduring communities.”
For more details on the award and previous winners, visit the Urban Land Institute’s Awards for Excellence competition page.
About the Global Awards for Excellence
The competition is part of the Institute’s Awards for Excellence program, established in 1979, which is based on ULI’s guiding principle that the achievement of excellence in land use practice should be recognized and rewarded. ULI’s Awards for Excellence recognize the full development process of a project, not just its architecture or design. The criteria for the awards include leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, public/private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability. Over the years, the Awards for Excellence program has evolved from the recognition of one development in North America to an international competition with multiple winners. Throughout the program’s history, all types of projects have been recognized for their excellence, including office, residential, recreational, urban/mixed-use, industrial/office park, commercial/retail, new community, rehabilitation, and public projects and programs.
About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.
About 21c Museum Hotel
21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati is a vibrant contemporary art museum, boutique hotel and restaurant located in Downtown Cincinnati’s arts district. Designed by architect Deborah Berke, the property is housed in the former Metropole Hotel, a 100 year-old historic landmark in Downtown Cincinnati. 21c Museum Hotels renovated the Metropole, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, restoring it into a beautiful public space while following federal standards for historic rehabilitation. The design of the hotel preserves many of the building’s original features, and the 156-room property features 8,000 square feet of exhibition, meeting and event space and presents rotating curated exhibitions, dynamic public art installations and cultural programs. Exhibition space is open to the public free of charge, 24/7. The property is also home to Metropole restaurant, led by executive chef Michael Paley, with a menu built around dishes cooked in a custom-built, wood-burning fireplace. Guests and locals alike will also enjoy Cocktail Terrace, a rooftop bar with stunning views of downtown Cincinnati and the surrounding area, as well as the Spa at 21c with three treatment suites featuring heated floors and en suite steam showers. For more information visit www.21cMuseumHotels.com.
For more information:
Stephanie Greene
502.882.6230
sgreene@21chotels.com
