History
Discover Hilton Milwaukee, which was once the Schroeder Hotel, named after the original owner, Walter Schroeder.
Hilton Milwaukee was constructed during the “Roaring Twenties,” in which flappers, the radio, and the Art Deco movement defined the age. This AAA Four Diamond hotel boasts nearly 100 years of impeccable service and attention to detail. Built in a city famous for its brewing companies, the historic Wisconsin hotel opened during Prohibition and the era of Al Capone's residence in Milwaukee, thus playing an esteemed role in the city's vibrant history. Originally established as the Schroeder Hotel, The Hilton Milwaukee opened its doors in 1928 boasting distinct architecture, a classic Art Deco interior, and rich furnishings. The building's original owner, Walter Schroeder, ended his formal education after eighth grade when he began to work at 14 as a clerk in the Office of Milwaukee Register of Deeds. There, he received a first-hand education on the ins and outs of real estate. Schroeder was known throughout his lifetime as a generous, charitable man. He frequently hosted dinner parties at his hotel in Milwaukee and was known as a gracious host.
Schroeder purchased the building for $7 million in 1927 and by the time it opened, it was Wisconsin's tallest hotel, standing at 265 feet and featuring 811 guestrooms. Designed by Holabird and Rochce, the hotel instantly became a grand example of the distinctive neo-classical, Art Deco design. Schroeder went on to acquire a slew of hotels throughout Wisconsin and a few neighboring states. He was a philanthropist, donating $3 million to help fund the Milwaukee School of Engineering's Walter Schroeder Library in 1978, amongst donations to other organizations. In 1972, the Schroeder Hotel was sold to Ben and Steve Marcus who renamed the building to Marc Plaza. At this time, the hotel underwent an extensive $8 million renovation. Another renovation in 1994 ensured that the historic hotel would be restored to its original 1920s grandeur. In 1995, Marcus Corporation acquired the famed hotel and renamed it the Hilton Milwaukee. They added two restaurants, 250 additional guestrooms, an attached parking garage, and a skywalk to the neighboring convention center. Exuding gracious style and a relaxed ambiance, this legendary historic hotel in Milwaukee features luxurious guestrooms, plush amenities, and two regal ballrooms.
In 2024, Hilton Milwaukee began a sweeping renovation to cement its status as Milwaukee’s premier meeting and convention hotel. The renovation, which is expected to cost more than $40 million and be completed by summer 2025, will transform its guest rooms, 34,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces, and the hotel’s exquisite lobby.
