Latest evolution of Downtown Madison’s Park Hotel has business customer in mind – Madison.com

The latest evolution of the Park Hotel on the Capitol Square is ready for its formal dedication.

A ribbon cutting is planned for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to mark the completion of the renovations.

More than a year of renovations to the 213-room hotel at the corner of South Carroll and West Main streets wrapped up in fall 2016 with about $8 million being spent to update the building's exterior, according to project documents filed with the city. Building permits filed with the city also show another nearly $4.9 million being spent on a complete interior renovation, though the number may be higher but the Mullins family, which owns the hotel, declined to disclose the total amount spent on the project.

George Wiesner, general manager of the Park Hotel, said the building's freshened outside look should have a lifespan of about 30 years, though interior amenities, including rooms, will be updated as needed to keep the hotel looking fresh.

Another major interior overhaul comparable to those just completed likely won't happen again for at least another decade, said Brad Mullins of the Mullins Group, a real estate and management firm. His family, which acquired the hotel then called the Park Motor Inn in 1976, began discussing renovating the property about four years ago.

"We wanted to reposition it again as a premier property on the square," Mullins said. "It is a legacy to our family and it was the first hotel on the Capital Square."

Wiesner said the Park Hotel, which carries the Best Western Premier brand, the hotel chain's top offering, is focusing on business customers as well as hosting events seeking full services including catering. The hotel provides lodging to about 100,000 guests and hosts about 400 events annually.

Wiesner said the hotel offers amenities sought by today's business travelers. He said guests have complimented the hotel on its updated offerings including ample ports in rooms to recharge portable electronics and fast, reliable wireless internet access.

No floor was untouched and the hotel remained open throughout the renovation. Elevators were updated and provide continuous service from the main floor through ninth floor of the hotel.

Wiesner said upper floor rooms were renovated first and work later moved onto the lower floors. The former Top of the Park restaurant on the eighth floor, which closed in 2001 and now is used primarily to host events, was expanded and can accommodate events of up to 120 people.

"The last part to get done was the lobby and bar," he said.

Mullins said building new is easier than renovating a property that remained open.

"It reflects out commitment to downtown Madison and to our employees who could keep working during the project," he said.

Some of the updates that won't be seen by guests include the new locker rooms for the hotel's 120 employees and a modernized heating and cooling system.

Wiesner is confident future guests will appreciate what has been done to the hotel.

"The work done here far exceeded our expectations," he said.

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Latest evolution of Downtown Madison's Park Hotel has business customer in mind - Madison.com