HBA completes second phase of $26.5M renovation of Minnesota’s largest hotel, Hilton Minneapolis

Hirsch Bedner Associates has completed the second phase of a $26.5 million renovation of Minnesota’s largest hotel, the Hilton Minneapolis. This phase, which started in November 2016, includes the hotel’s main floor lobby, its second- and third-floor meeting rooms and adds a new restaurant, Ten 01 Social.

CNH Architects was the architect of record for the project.

The spaces were completely transformed: The jewel tones, traditional design and dark woodwork were replaced with a modern, urban design that uses contemporary original art and an open space designed to encourage socializing and interaction.

The open lobby now has a 360-degree central bar that can seat up to 40 people. The bar is surrounded by lounge seating and communal tables. Illuminate Lighting Consultants enhanced the space with accent lighting to create pockets of light over the seating areas. Chandeliers were replaced with contemporary light sources. The light palette of the lobby is enhanced with walnut and dark chocolate wood finishes and colorful rich textiles.

The design team preserved the original high ceilings and large arching windows of the lobby, though they also applied a mix of finishes throughout the space, HBA associate Nicole Smith said. Stone floors and columns now have brass metal inlays, with black bronze and brass metal accenting the lighting fixtures and furniture.

The registration desk was relocated to make room for the new Ten 01 Market. A mixed-material mosaic of stone, wood and metal is the backdrop at the desk, along with a stone feature wall that encases the escalator to the second level meeting spaces.

The team also updated the meeting space and pre-function areas on the second and third floors. The original architectural millwork was updated with a lighter palette, new custom carpet designs and decorative modern lighting elements. The pre-function gathering area now has seating groups and nesting tables, while the ballroom has new chandeliers.

In addition, Canvas Art Consultants sourced more than 70 pieces of new and original artwork for the newly renovated spaces. More than half of the pieces are by Minnesota artists.