The conversion of the former Heritage House in downtown Kenosha into a boutique hotel is on track for completion early next year.
That’s the latest from Ted Matkom, Wisconsin Market President for Gorman & Company, the project’s developer.
Matkom was in Kenosha Monday to formally acknowledge receipt of a $250,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The grant is part of a cobbled-together $26 million financing package that essentially saved the 100 year-old landmark from the wrecking ball.
Matkom joined Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and Mayor Antaramian for short speeches in the offices of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance. "This 80-room boutique hotel with all the amenities is going to be an amazing catalyst to really bring vitality to Kenosha and downtown Kenosha," Matkom said. "We're just honored to be part of it."
Gorman got involved in the project after a citizen group that was formed to save the building invited the company to town to take a look. It was a hale mary move on the part of the group's leader, Kristine Roemer, who has sinced passed away.
In Matkom's estimation, the highlight of the building is the 350-person ballroom, which the company plans to bring back to its original glory.
The Stella, as the hotel has been named, will include a restaurant, a bar and 12 suites. A four-story addition will house 68 guest rooms.
The bar has been dubbed “The 1844”, the year that Kenosha received a federal grant to build its harbor, according to Matkom.
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