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30 SUMMER 2016 K KEENELAND.COM HOTEL 21C spotlight on Times, and enjoyed a continuous pa- rade of awestruck, art-loving guests. No one was more shocked by 21c's enthusiastic reception than Wilson. "We really had no master plan or blueprint when we started," he said. "We just wanted to share our collection and give a boost to downtown Louis- ville. It came as a complete surprise that we were able to have a successful business based on art and creativity." It wasn't long, however, before 21c — for 21st century, a name thought up by Brown — had morphed from being a hotel into a brand. The success of the Louisville property spurred similar historic renovations in Cincinnati; Ben- tonville, Arkansas; and Durham, North Carolina. It was no longer a question of whether there would be another muse- um/hotel, but where it would it be. Lexington, with its burgeoning contemporary art scene, seemed an obvious ft. Aside from the fourishing art scene, the city had the other factors the cou- ple looked for in selecting sites: Historic building … check. The 1913 bank building had the distinction of being Lexington's frst skyscraper. Enthusiasm of city offcials … check. Mayor Jim Gray, a collector of con- temporary art himself, never had any doubt that a 21c in Lexington would be a game changer. Community support … double check. For the past decade Lexington has been on an ambitious quest to revitalize its downtown core, and a 21c Museum Hotel at its center would be a coup indeed. It seems that the only one not ex- cited at the prospect was Wilson, who initially thought Lexington and Louis- ville were too close to justify properties in both cities. "After the success of our Louisville hotel, the growth of our brand has been determined by the desire of the commu- nity," said Wilson. "While I admit I was skeptical about Lexington at frst, the positive response has proved me wrong. "The support of this community has been overwhelming," he continued. "There were more people at the ribbon cutting here than there were in Louisville when we opened 10 years ago." Those assembled at the February ribbon cut- ting got their frst look at six permanent works of contemporary art chosen specifcally for the Lexington site. Two twisted, interlocking lampposts on the corner of Main and Upper streets, in front of the hotel, that look as if they had run afoul of a city bus. On closer inspection it turned out to be the frst of the six pieces — Totally in Love, a whim- sical steel-and-hand-blown glass sculpture by Dutch artist Pieke Bergmans meant to evoke intertwined lovers. Since then guests and gawkers alike have marveled at the unique pieces they encounter inside, such as the large geometric, jewel-toned cubic mass suspended from the ceiling of the hotel's entrance. This is Spectralline from the New York Design Studio SOFTlab. The hotel's restaurant, Lockbox, has anoth- er of the permanent pieces in its bar area — a When Deborah and I frst walked into the building and saw its elegant bones … we knew immediately that it had the kind of character that a Lexington property deserved. Left, Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown created the frst 21c Museum Hotel to showcase their growing contemporary art collection. Above, Totally in Love, by Dutch artist Pieke Bergmans, features two intertwined lampposts. COURTESY OF 21C MUSEUM HOTEL KIRK SCHLEA