Troubled by development encroaching upon rural Kentucky’s farmlands, preservationists and contemporary art collectors Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson sought to reverse the trend toward suburban sprawl by making a considerable contribution toward revitalization efforts in their hometown. Pairing this desire with a second of their passions, to make contemporary art a part of more peoples’ daily lives, the couple embarked on a journey to create both an economic driver for the community and an oasis where art challenges and amuses, stimulates conversation and provokes new ideas. This is how 21c Museum Hotels was conceived.
The pair partnered with world-renowned architect Deborah Berke to reimagine and rehabilitate a series of 19th century tobacco and Bourbon warehouses along downtown Louisville’s West Main Street into a boutique hotel and a contemporary art museum. Could art and commerce coexist in harmony? Brown and Wilson trusted their intuition and sought to test their theory.
In 2006 they opened 21c Museum Hotel Louisville. Much more than just a place to spend the night, 21c is an innovative union of genuine Southern hospitality, thoughtful design, and culinary creativity — all anchored by world-class contemporary art by today’s emerging and internationally acclaimed artists (hence the name, paying homage to the 21st century). 21c Louisville quickly grew from novel idea to a modern epicenter for culture, activity, and artistic expression. With rotating exhibitions of works by living artists, site-specific installations, regular cultural programming and unique events, 21c visitors keep coming back and sharing the dynamic experience with friends.
With all the buzz in the Bluegrass State and beyond, Brown and Wilson quickly began receiving expansion inquiries. Taken by the couple’s vision and convinced that art can indeed be an economic driver for a community, like-minded civic leaders were determined to bring the 21c experience to their hometowns. Though in the beginning, they never imagined growing beyond the single property in Louisville – as the calls continued to come, a brand was born. 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati opened its doors to the world in November 2012 and Bentonville, Arkansas opened in February 2013. The brand looks forward to a bright future and is working to launch 15 properties over the next five to 10 years.
700 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Tel 502.217.6300
609 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Tel 513.578.6600
200 NE A Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
Tel 479.286.6500
About Arnon Kohavi
