Joe Tarr
The Edgewater Hotel is still visibly in the midst of construction in mid-August, barely more than two weeks before its soft opening.
Since construction began on the Edgewater Hotel in the fall of 2012, its owners have projected an opening date of August 2014. But anyone who has seen the hotel would likely be skeptical that goal will be realized. Insulation on sections of upper floors remain exposed, as workers have yet to cover them with brick. The area surrounding the hotel is covered with dirt, scaffolding and various construction materials. And that's just the outside.
Will the hotel really open this month?
While it may not be a full-scale opening, Meredith Voller, the hotel's director of sales and marketing, says the Edgewater's first guests will arrive on Aug. 28 for an Aug. 30 wedding, which will serve as the hotel's soft opening.
Other portions will open to the public starting Sept. 4, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony set for 10 a.m. The public can now book rooms for Sept. 5 and beyond. Voller does not have a specific date for when the Edgewater's four restaurants will open.
George Hank, Madison's building inspector, says it's not uncommon for developers to phase in occupancy, getting a few sections approved for use, while others remain under construction.
"They are very optimistic they will get partial [certificate of occupancy]," Hank says. "If they throw enough bodies at it, they can probably get there."
The Edgewater was first built in 1948 and an addition was put on in the 1970s. Developer Bob Dunn of the Hammes Co. fought for years to get approval for a $98 million renovation and addition, which many neighbors fought because they believed it clashed with the historic neighborhood's character.
