North Central Group (NCG), a Midwest owner, developer and operator of hotels, broke ground on the AC Hotel Madison in downtown Madison, Wis. This is the first downtown Marriott brand property and one of the first 25 AC Hotels by Marriott properties opening in the U.S.
The Aug. 26 groundbreaking celebration marks two years of planning and approvals for the site located one block off the Capitol Square. NCG Founder and Chairman Dave Lenz said, “This will be one of the largest and most substantial hotels in the 35-year history of our company, and it was important for us to build it at home in Downtown Madison.”
The 10-story AC Hotel Madison set to open in late 2016 will provide 164 much needed guest rooms to the downtown Madison market. The hotel will offer valet parking, a fitness center, coffee and espresso bar, ninth floor terrace and lounge, and flexible meeting space for business, social or family events. The tenth floor will also feature a rooftop bar/restaurant offering hotel guests and local diners spectacular views of Lake Mendota and Monona as well as the State Capitol building and will serve signature cocktails, specialty wines, craft beers and an exciting menu of European and locally influenced small plate cuisine. The contemporary styling of the AC Hotel brand brings an exciting, design-focused feel with modern architecture and active public spaces to create a unique property that is an inviting entry to the city.
The marquee location of the AC Hotel Madison serves as the gateway to the city’s vibrant downtown full of restaurants, bars, live music and performance venues, the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, museums, University of Wisconsin campus and State Street, the city’s mile-long local shopping/entertainment district.
The design and architecture of the AC Hotel Madison is by Gary Brink & Associates of Middleton, WI. Gary Brink & Associates was able to successfully blend NCG’s vision, Marriott’s brand requirements, and the City of Madison’s entitlement process to create a truly exceptional design. Construction of the hotel is by Kraemer Brothers, LLC, a 67-year-old company with Wisconsin roots. The company has an impressive portfolio of hospitality projects, including many large-scale resorts as well as several luxury hotels throughout the state.
“We believe this urban, design oriented hotel will provide a competitive edge in the downtown Madison market. The combination of our management expertise, the power of the Marriott brand, and the distinctiveness of the AC Hotel concept will all lead to an unparalleled guest experience,” said Jeff Lenz, president and chief development officer, NCG.
North Central Group owns and operates hotels in six states, including nine Marriott and Hilton branded hotels in the Madison area, making them the largest hotelier in the Madison area. The company has over 30 years of award-winning expertise managing premium brand hotels across the U.S. in Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
