The Loews Minneapolis Hotel, one of the most recognized hospitality spots in the Twin Cities, unveiled this week its $10-million renovation and new lobby bar concept, the Apothecary Bar & Lounge.
New York-based Loews Hotels & Resorts bought the 22-story building, across the street from Target Center, last summer from local hotelier Graves Hospitality.
John Power, the hotel's general manager, said Loews wanted to update the 11-year-old space by putting its own touch on it.
"It was very dark with lots of browns. We really wanted to brighten it up," Power said.
One of the most noticeable changes is the lobby. Loews, along with its design team from Chicago-based Simeone Deary, knocked out a large wall at the entrance so that when guests walk through the front door, they walk into the new Apothecary Bar.
"We inherited all of this great volume, with high ceilings, but it was very compartmentalized and felt oppressive," said Kate Poole Cropsey, an associate at Simeone Deary.
The Apothecary replaces the beloved Bradstreet Craftshouse (which is slated to reincarnate "very soon" at its new location in the Lowry Hill neighborhood). While maintaining an emphasis on craft cocktails and small plates, the interior design is completely different.
Power said the goal was to create a hotel experience that would be welcoming to both locals and visitors.
