Some of the most coveted front-row seats to Lake Mendota might be getting even better. The Edgewateris planning updates that could reshape parts of the lakefront property over the next five to seven years, with city officials and hotel staff set to discuss the proposal during a virtual neighborhood meeting tonight, May 18, at 6 p.m.
The phased plan includes new shade structures on the Sky Bar roof deck and dining terraces, upgrades to restaurant and dining spaces, and the addition of a grab-and-go market and coffee shop. Later phases could include a new structure on the Grand Plaza designed to support year-round use of the waterfront while maintaining public access.
Originally opened in 1948, The Edgewater has undergone several reinventions over the decades, most notably its large-scale 2014 renovation that expanded public access to the lakefront and reestablished the hotel as a major downtown gathering space. It’s also hosted the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and the Dalai Lama…