Salt Hotels is set to open The West Hotel in Minneapolis late next year as part of a collaboration with Minneapolis-based developer Commutator, Snow Kreilich Architects, Neri&Hu and Greiner Construction. Located close to the Mississippi riverfront in Minneapolis’ North Loop, the 123-room property will integrate four historic buildings.
“My partners and I are elated to bring these iconic historic buildings back to life, while setting a new standard for superb design and hospitality excellence in Minneapolis," Commutator Partner David Wilson said in a statement. "The West will be a welcoming community gathering place for locals, and an inspiring destination for visitors from around the world.”
The West will have 123 guestrooms and a lobby housed in a former brass foundry, including communal workspaces, a fireside lounge, a library and a bar. The property will have a stone cellar cocktail bar, a rooftop bar with an outdoor terrace, an outdoor dining patio and six flexible event spaces.
Culinary operations will be lead by local James Beard award-winning chef Tim McKee, whose signature restaurant will serve Basque-inspired food. McKee also will have an Eastern Mediterranean-inspired bakery with a wood-fired oven.
The hotel’s exterior is designed Snow Kreilich Architects and the interior architecture and furnishings are designed by Neri&Hu, completing one of their first hotels in North America. The guestrooms will have custom-designed contemporary wooden cabinetry and furniture. Rooms in the historic buildings also have exposed brick walls.
“We’re eager to expand into this vibrant city and collaborate with these amazing and talented partners,” Salt Hotels CEO David Bowd said. “I fell in love with Minneapolis the first time I visited. The people are incredible, and the beautiful architecture, along with its strong creative culture and appreciation for service and design—both cornerstones of Salt Hotels—solidified Minneapolis as Salt Hotels’ latest venture. We’re excited to be expanding here during a time when such transformational developments are taking place.”