What's Happening in Davenport, IA…

Hotel Blackhawk, which is located in Davenport’s downtown, was recently named ‘Best Hotel in Iowa’.

The hotel, which dates from 1915, combines both Art Deco and Italian renaissance elements, and was recently renovated at a cost of millions of dollars.

The achievement is all the more impressive given that the building was subject to a fire less than a decade ago. For a time, it was owned by the Isle of Capri, but the city took over the hotel from the Capri, and in 2008, a development agreement made Restoration St. Louis the new owner. This company announced it would renovate the hotel t at a cost of approximately $35 million, with BSI Construction as the project's general contractor. The Blackhawk reopened in December 2010, and in 2013, it joined the Marriott family of hotels.

The renovated structure comprises 130 hotel rooms, 20 apartments, meeting and banquet rooms, and nine rooms for extended stays. There is also a bowling alley, shops, a lounge, restaurant, fitness center, and swimming pool.

Temple & Burrows, an architectural firm located in Davenport, designed the hotel. The influence of the Italian Renaissance is found in some of the architectural details, while the building's streamlined design speaks to the Art Deco influence.

Now that the hotel has won this honor, its management could work with brochure printers on a booklet for local distribution, highlighting the renovations.