Work on the boutique, contemporary art-driven 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Lexington is on schedule and doors are set to open toward the end of the first quarter of 2016, according to the hotel’s new general manager.
Sarka Takovich, a native of the Czech Republic and a veteran U.S. hotel executive, will oversee the new 88-room hotel, which is going into the rehabbed, century-old Fayette National Bank building at the corner of Main and Upper streets.
Executives with 21c wanted to complete the chain’s presence in Kentucky’s Golden Triangle (along with Louisville and Cincinnati) by choosing Lexington as a new hotel site.
“The city is growing, and the downtown is revitalizing,” said Takovich, who added that people in the region can now travel to any of the three cities and find a 21c hotel.
Louisville’s was the first hotel in the system; Cincinnati the second. The company has also turned historic properties into hotels in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Durham, North Carolina. Under construction and due to open in the second quarter of 2016 is a 21c in a former automobile manufacturing plant in Oklahoma City. In addition, announcements have been made about new 21c hotels going into historic properties in Kansas City, Nashville and Indianapolis.
“For people who have ever stayed at or visited a 21c hotel, I don’t need to say anything,” said Renee Jackson, president of Downtown Lexington Corporation. “21c hotels and museums are seen as a pinnacle of hotels and are known around the world. We understand what a contribution it will make to the economy. We’re pleased that 21c wanted to be in our downtown, and in an iconic building too.”
Lexington’s 21c will be different than the other properties in the chain, but all the hotels exude unmistakable 21c fl air.
“We definitely have our 21c culture and we want to provide it to all of our properties. Guest services and the art scene are very important to us,” explained Takovich, who most recently worked at the Louisville 21c. Previous to that, she worked at a Florida resort and says the standard for 21c is similar — outstanding quality. “It’s not so much different from the luxury resort where I worked. We provided a really high level of services and now want to make sure our guests here are as comfortable.”
While the Lexington 21c is a hotel first, the art collection within its walls is almost as important. The hotel will feature a contemporary art museum free of charge to the public and open 24 hours a day. Artwork will be everywhere, including the lobby, the 7,000 square feet of exhibition and event space, and in the restaurant and bar where guests can enjoy them. An exhibition curator will select the pieces.
“Art is what drives our business,” said Takovich. “The rooms will have pieces of art in them too. We have also created a 21c art channel, and that will be seen on the TV sets in each guest room.”
The 15-story former bank building has been a little more diffi cult to gut and renovate than some of the other 21c properties around the country, Takovich said. The company plans to keep some elements of the old bank but is not yet ready to announce exactly what they will be.
“We want to be sure to respect the building and turn it into something unique,” she said.
Another important aspect of the hotel will be the restaurant, called Lockbox, another reference to the former bank. Jonathan Searle will be executive chef and comes to Lexington from the Louisville 21c restaurant, Proof on Main.
“What we promote is definitely farm-totable and chef-driven dining,” said Takovich. “The chefs develop their own menu that fits the location of the hotel and city, and they will work with local farms and food distributors to make sure everything is fresh.”
The new 21c Museum Hotel will not be open in time for the worldwide exposure the Breeders’ Cup will bring to the city Oct. 30- 31. But Takovich said that’s OK. 21c wanted the Lexington project to be completed to specifications and not rushed to meet the Breeders’ Cup timeline. It also wanted all team members to be properly trained and comfortable before opening.
“The Breeders’ Cup will be great for the city, and I believe the city will succeed with it, and it will be brought back here. But you’ve got to walk before you can run,” she said.