‘Cultural’ hotel

21c Museum Hotels will build a new $28 million boutique hotel and contemporary art museum in downtown Bentonville, capitalizing on the under-construction Crystal Bridges art museum.

The new 21c hotel and museum should open in 2012 and will bring an estimated 160 new full-time jobs to the area. Investors in the sustainable project include a Walton family partnership and Bentonville Revitalization Inc.

“21c Museum Hotel is about bringing people together with art and each other in new ways,” said 21c company founder Steve Wilson. “It’s our philosophy to provide an exciting cultural experience to travelers and community residents alike. We are excited to establish a new 21c Museum Hotel as a creative, educational and civic resource for the people of northwest Arkansas.”

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, under construction, will be located approximately a quarter-mile from 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Bentonville.

Other projects in the downtown area include:
• A major expansion and re-development of the Walmart Visitor Center;
• Lawrence Plaza ice arena and splash park;
• Expanding network of pedestrian and biking trails; and,
• Several infrastructure projects including two new parking areas and section improvements to streets.

21c Museum Hotel will be located on the northeast corner of the Bentonville town square within walking distance of both the Crystal Bridges Museum and the worldwide headquarters of Wal-Mart.

Louisville, Ky.-based design architect Deborah Berke & Partners will collaborate with Little Rock-based firm Polk Stanley Wilcox and Louisville-based co-developer Poe Companies on the Bentonville project.