All 156 guestrooms and suites at Metropolitan at The 9, the Autograph Collection property in downtown Cleveland, are now complete following a sweeping renovation that also touches 10 corridor floors, the main lobby, elevator lobbies, and the hotel's Ledger Bar lounge. The remaining public-space work is slated to finish by November 5, 2026, capping a project that spans more than 100,000 square feet.

Inside the Rooms

Engineered hardwood flooring has replaced carpet throughout the guestrooms, paired with new area rugs, mattresses, and soft seating. Custom desks, nightstands, and minibars feature light wood finishes and white quartz countertops with gold veining, while wood slat wall treatments, chevron tile at the minibars, and oversized mirrors add texture. The original headboards — drawn from the building's exterior window detailing — were kept to anchor the rooms in the property's architectural history. New artwork depicting Cleveland landmarks extends that local identity into each space. In total, the project incorporated more than 300 pieces of new art, approximately 2,500 yards of fabric, and 147 custom sofas and loveseats, along with 156 custom desks, 156 minibars, and 264 nightstands.

Bar and Lobby Updates

Ledger Bar, the intimate lounge above the main lobby, received a custom bar and backbar installation — 45 linear feet of new millwork — along with updated seating. The lobby itself now centers on a single welcome desk framed by a stone feature wall with geometric wood detailing, complemented by fluted wood paneling and refreshed upholstery. Elevator cabs were refitted with new flooring, faux stone panels, wood slats, and mirrors.

For operators watching hospitality renovation trends, the project's sourcing strategy stands out. Burton Station Fixture Company and National Design Mart custom fabricated all guestroom and public-space millwork locally. Mont Granite supplied the lobby stone, and Big Picture Cleveland handled artwork framing and installation. Local upholsterers completed lobby benches and leather column wraps — a supply-chain approach that aligns with growing guest interest in place-based hotel experiences.

"This renovation brings a fresh level of comfort and detail to the hotel while keeping the character that makes it special," said Russ Mengle, Vice President of Geis Hospitality Group. The property's food and beverage footprint remains a key draw: the hotel also operates The Centro restaurant, Eden Rooftop Lounge, and The Vault cocktail lounge in the building's century-old bank vaults — a combination that positions The 9 squarely in the upscale hotel dining and bar segment that has gained traction across urban full-service properties. The Metropolitan at The 9 is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection.

Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.