PRESS RELEASE – 21c Museum Hotels will begin construction on its Bentonville, Arkansas property. 21c Bentonville, opening in January 2013, is a combination boutique hotel, contemporary art museum and restaurant modeled after the award-winning 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. Springdale, Arkansas-based Flintco Construction will manage the 13 month construction period. A loan for the project was provided by Bentonville-based Arvest Bank.

Building on its mission of engaging the public with contemporary art and supporting the revitalization of American downtowns, the main focal point of 21c Bentonville will be 12,000 square feet of museum, meeting and event space. The museum exhibits the work of living artists and is open free of charge to the public. An outdoor sculpture garden will complement the interior museum galleries. These spaces serve as a key link in the emerging arts promenade that connects downtown Bentonville to the brand new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Architect Deborah Berke’s design integrates extensive natural lighting throughout the 100,000 square foot property, which will also feature a 125-seat restaurant, spacious ballroom and state-of-the-art meeting and board rooms as well as outdoor spaces for private functions. The hotel will incorporate 104 guest rooms—including a one-bedroom 21c Suite with a terrace—that embrace the founders’ ethos of “living with art.” 21c will provide bike rentals and lockers to both staff and guests.