Hotel Elkhart opened in 1923 at the corner of Main and Marion streets and became a centerpiece of downtown Elkhart. It sat between the railway station to the south and the Lerner Theatre, which opened two years later, and hosted guests including Bob Hope and Robert Kennedy. Over the years business slowed, the building was converted to senior apartments, and it eventually fell into disarray.

Cressy Commercial Real Estate and Mno-Bmadsen partnered to restore the property. In 2016, the $19 million project was awarded $900,000 in Regional Cities funds.

“There’s something powerful about watching a building that defined a community reclaim its place at the center of it,” said Taryn MacFarlane, Vice President of Regional Initiatives at the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. “Bringing this landmark back to life didn’t just restore a beautiful building – it restored a sense of pride and possibility for Elkhart. Projects like this signal to residents, businesses and visitors that this community is worth investing in, and that momentum continues to build.”

A boutique hotel in the heart of downtown

Hotel Elkhart reopened in 2021 as part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the company’s line of upscale boutique hotels. It has 93 guest rooms and suites and nearly 4,750 square feet of meeting space, including the top-floor Aria Ballroom. Guests can dine at The Corner Bar and Relish Café on the first floor, or take in views of Elkhart from the High Note Rooftop Bar, located on the highest building in the city.

In 2024, Indiana Landmarks awarded the hotel its Cook Cup for Outstanding Restoration, which recognizes a significant restoration project that meets the highest standards. The redevelopment preserved historic features of the building, including plaster ceilings, relief moldings and terrazzo floors.

Bringing visitors to the region

According to Ellie Cachey, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel Elkhart, the hotel generated more than 23,800 room nights in 2025. Of those, 4,338 were group bookings and 6,839 were corporate bookings for business travel. Many guests are in town for major sporting events, such as the NAIA Swimming & Diving National Championships at the Beacon Health Aquatic Center and NCAA competitions hosted by the University of Notre Dame.

“As a restored historic landmark in downtown Elkhart, Hotel Elkhart serves as a gateway to the broader South Bend – Elkhart region,” Cachey said. “Visitors staying at the hotel frequently attend events in South Bend, visit local manufacturers and businesses throughout Elkhart County, explore cultural attractions, dine at local restaurants, and experience the amenities that make the region an attractive destination for both leisure and business travel.”

Jon Hunsberger, Executive Director of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the property also supports the county’s efforts to promote Elkhart as a destination.

“Hotel Elkhart gives visitors a reason to stay longer and experience more of what this region has to offer. A boutique Hilton property in the heart of downtown raises the profile of Elkhart as a travel destination and gives us a compelling story to tell – one that connects the city’s rich history with a modern, high-quality hospitality experience.”

Read more in the 2025 Annual Report

This story appears in the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s 2025 Annual Report. Read the full 2025 Annual Report for more on the Partnership’s work and the region.