Going Green in the South: 21c Museum Hotel
There are some hotels in the South that make you say, “wow, what a great place,” and then there are others that make you say, “wow… just wow,” and you haven’t even left the lobby yet. 
21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, Ky., falls into the later category.
The 91-room hotel, which opened in 2006, defies the definition of a traditional hotel. The moment you step into 21c Museum Hotel, you’ll feel as if you are in a contemporary art museum with bedrooms, a spa/fitness center, and according to Cintas Corp., a nominee for America’s best bathrooms. 
“The concept of the hotel was born out of the owners’ love for contemporary art and the desire to revitalize downtown Louisville,” says Sarah Robbins, VP of Operations at 21c Museum Hotel. “There is art everywhere within the 9,000-square feet of space.”
The artwork, chosen by the owners (”whatever the owners like,” says Robbins) features local, national and international artists, and tends to lean heavily toward emerging artists.
21c Museum Hotel striving toward creating a cultural center in downtown. Not only does property hosts free artist talks, but it’s also regarded as a 24/7, completely free art museum.
“The property is easily accessible from the street and people walk in just to see the exhibits. In fact, there is one lady who works in the area and will park her car across the street to walk through the hotel on her way to work.” 
By encouraging the revitalization of urban sprawl, the property helps the green effort by encouraging people back to the downtown area to live, work and play. And while speaking of green effort, 21c shines in this area as well.
The property, located on Main Street, is housed in five historical buildings that once served as warehouses and a bank back in the 19th century. Some of the buildings’ salvage materials were reused to create tables and the bar in the restaurant. Oh, the restaurant, Proof on Main prides itself on using locally grown foods.
“We are so lucky to be located in the Ohio River Valley,” says Robbins. “We have all of this produce available at our fingertips.”
In addition, the owners of the property have a bison farm, where Proof gets their meat. The restaurant also utilizes a rooftop garden that currently grows all the herbs used in the kitchen and heirloom tomatoes.
So, the next time you’re in Louisville, stop in 21c Museum Hotel either for the night or just take a glimpse of their artwork. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.
By the way, the property is opening a 21c Museum Hotel in Austin, Texas. The 16-story, 243-room hotel is slated to open in 2010.
Photo credits: (top left) 21c Exterior, photographer Kenneth Hayden, 2008; photos provided by Brain Spark Media; (top right) 21c Bathroom, photographer Kenneth Hayden, 2008; photos provided by Brain Spark Media; (mid-left) 21c Atrium, photographer Kenneth Hayden, 2008; photos provided by Brain Spark Media; (mid-right) 21c Lobby, photographer Kenneth Hayden, 2008; photos provided by Brain Spark Media; (bottom left) 21c Proof on Main; photos provided by Brain Spark Media
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POSTED IN: Accomodation, Art Galleries, Eco-friendly travel, Going Green in the South, Green Travel, Hotels, resorts, Museums, Things to See in Kentucky
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