MILWAUKEE — A brand new resort that’s in building within the Deer District goals to be an enormous draw for the Metropolis of Milwaukee.

Peggy Williams-Smith watched as an orange beam went on the highest of The Commerce Lodge throughout Wednesday’s topping ceremony.

“It’s been a very long time since we now have seen hospitality improvement on this metropolis with COVID, so this was actually thrilling to see,” mentioned Williams-Smith, the president and CEO of Go to Milwaukee.

Williams-Smith joined a number of others on a tour of the longer term resort, which host greater than 200 rooms. The Commerce Lodge is predicted to open in early 2023.

The resort is concentrated on highlighting Milwaukee, which Williams-Smith mentioned she believes will go a great distance.

The Commerce Lodge showcases native merchandise in its visitor rooms, in an try to inform the story of town.

“I don’t assume they’ve skipped a beat in what this resort goes to be on this market,” mentioned Williams-Smith.

She mentioned resort friends can have entry to discover the center of the “lovely” metropolis.

The Commerce Lodge is amongst an inventory of recent developments which have come to the Deer District inside the previous couple of years.

Peter Feigin, president of the Milwaukee Bucks, mentioned this resort is simply one other a part of redefining downtown.

“I imply, whether or not we’re inviting visiting NBA groups, MLB groups or visiting vacationer or enterprise vacationers, that is what we have to proceed to do within the metropolis of Milwaukee to actually create a vacation spot,” mentioned Feign. “The Commerce has helped us additional our aim of making the vacation spot the place we are able to stay, work and play in downtown Milwaukee.”

Williams-Smith mentioned she feels the resort may be an enormous a part of attracting extra conventions to town.

“I believe if the previous two and half years have taught us [anything], with COVID, it’s that hospitality is extremely necessary to the success of town,” she mentioned. “What I wish to say [about] tourism, is that generally it’s the first time that an individual sees our metropolis — which might make them falling in love with our metropolis after which having them transfer to our metropolis.”