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1926
21c Museum Hotel St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
21c Museum Hotel St. Louis
1528 Locust Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 Original Property Opened in 1926 Historic Hotels of America member since 2023The 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis started its story as a community hub when it opened as a central branch of the St. Louis YMCA in 1926. St. Louis-based architects Louis LaBeaume and Eugene S. Klein personalized many of the building’s intricate details, using their own unique take on Renaissance Revival architecture to guide their work. In 2018, 21c Museum Hotels revived the 10-story, Renaissance Revival-style YMCA building, maintaining historic elements like the original pool hall and reasserting the space’s relevance as a gathering point in the heart of St. Louis.
The brand’s tenth hotel, 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis is both a 173-room boutique hotel and contemporary art space. Guests can escape to custom-designed guestrooms and suites, or enjoy the hotel’s Idol Wolf restaurant, Good Press Café, galleries, and full-service wellness center. With more than 14,000 square feet of exhibition and event space seamlessly integrated into all areas of the property, there are opportunities for visitors to discover creativity around every corner.
Discover
- Discover the former YMCA building that has been restored into an award-winning boutique hotel in downtown St. Louis with exhibitions showcasing site-specific installations and rotating exhibitions. Uncover contemporary art in every corner of the 14,000 square foot hotel that has been seamlessly integrated into event spaces, exhibitions, lobbies, and all parts of the property.
- Observe how architects Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaf + Goettel and interior designers from Hufft Projects and Bill Rooney Studio refreshed the 95-year-old building into a contemporary space while retaining much of its historical roots.
- Learn about the history of the 21c Museum Hotel penguins that have remained part of the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis’s permanent exhibition since 2006. The penguins first debuted at 21c Museum Hotel Louisville. 21c founders Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson had purchased the sculptures after seeing them evoke joy from onlookers at the 2005 Venice Biennale public art project. Now perched around 21c Museum Hotels, the playful penguins contribute to the hotel’s mission of making contemporary art more accessible to the public. Over a decade and many hotels later, each 21c has its own flock of penguins and each are in the color that embody the singular identity of the city. (Visit the collection of penguins here: 21c Louisville, Red Penguin; 21c Cincinnati, Yellow Penguin; 21c Bentonville, Green Penguin; 21c Lexington, Blue Penguin; 21c Durham, Fuschia Penguin; 21c Oklahoma City, Purple Penguin, 21c Nashville, Teal Penguin, 21c Kansas City, Sky Blue Penguin).
Explore
- Cheer on St. Louis teams at nearby stadiums. The Enterprise Center is located three blocks from 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. The center hosts up to 18,000 guests and is the primary host for the St. Louis Blues, but is also used for other functions such as concerts, NCAA basketball, NCAA hockey, professional wrestling and more. St. Louis’s Energizer Park Stadium is one of the most uniquely constructed soccer stadiums in the country. The pitch is 40 feet below street level which allows fans to feel closer to the action, offering great views for soccer. Experience the excitement at Busch Stadium, home of the legendary St. Louis Cardinals. As one of the oldest and most storied teams in baseball, the Cardinals play in a stunning ballpark with scenic views of the Gateway Arch and a lively entertainment district surrounding the stadium.
- Explore City Museum, a quirky and fun museum that is for all ages and has something for all different interests. Known as the “weirdly wonderful museum of play,” the museum offers a constantly evolving art installation, playground, and discovery center made from lost and found objects.
- Explore the historical character of the neighborhood. Walk next door to tour another preserved piece of St. Louis History known as the Campbell House Museum. Built in 1951, the Campbell house was the home of renowned fur trader and entrepreneur Robert Campbell. Take a guided tour, and enjoy the many stories that took place in this house. Or catch a show at the historic Stifel Theatre, located just three blocks away. Originally opened in 1934, the theatre plays host to a wide variety of events, including concerts, comedies, theatricals, holiday productions and more.
Experience
- Experience how community is built through art and hospitality at 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. As part of St. Louis, the hotel collaborates with its neighbors and community partners to ensure the historic establishment’s presence extends beyond its walls. Guests can enjoy poetry evenings, attend artist demonstrations, and support local creators during a stay at 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis.
- Witness the Mississippi River as it winds through St. Louis. Stroll through the Citygarden Sculpture Park on the way to the riverfront. The green area is filled with beautifully landscaped lawns, cooling water features including sprinklers for children to play in, and striking sculptures scattered throughout. Join a riverboat cruise on a 19th-century paddlewheel riverboat to gain a new perspective of the city. Or cycle along the river on bike paths that connect Missouri from downtown St. Louis to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a historic Route 66 landmark.
- Listen to guides relate the history of the pivotal St. Louis region at Gateway Arch National Park. The Old Courthouse was the site of the first two trials of the consequential Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850. The site today is listed in the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network To Freedom. Then visit Gateway Arch, St. Louis’s most iconic landmark. The 630-foot tall monument that soars over the St. Louis skyline and was built in celebration of U.S. Westward Expansion.
Taste
- Start the day with coffee, breakfast, or lunch at GoodPress, the hotel’s coffee bar and café located beneath the vibrant Until We Meet Again mural by Nick Cave & Bob Faust. Sip locally roasted coffee and enjoy fresh, made-to-order bites. Prefer to dine in-room? Delivery is available—or browse the shop featuring goods from local St. Louis vendors while the order is prepared.
- Savor modern tapas and creative cocktails at Idol Wolf, the hotel’s stylish restaurant just off the lobby. The bright, inviting bar opens at 3 p.m. for happy hour, with full dining service beginning at 5 p.m. Whether dropping in for a drink or settling in for dinner, guests will be impressed by the seasonal menu and the warm, attentive staff.
- Taste St. Louis versions of classic dishes at local restaurants. St. Louis-style pizza has thin, cracker-like crust and is topped with a Provel cheese, a creamy blend of provolone, Swiss, and cheddar. The legendary appetizer known as toasted ravioli was invented in St. Louis’s Italian neighborhood, The Hill. The breaded and deep-fried ravioli are typically filled with meat or cheese and served with marinara sauce.
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