AccorHotels has signed an agreement to acquire an 85 percent stake in 21c Museum Hotels, an award-winning hospitality brand known for combining contemporary art museums with boutique hotel experiences. The 21c collection currently comprises 11 properties that are either operating or in development across the United States.
Founded in 2006 with its inaugural location in Louisville, Kentucky, 21c Museum Hotels has expanded to several cities. Operational properties include Bentonville, Arkansas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Durham, North Carolina; Kansas City, Kansas; Lexington, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Additionally, three 21c properties are under development in Des Moines, Miami and Chicago.
Under the terms of the agreement, the properties will retain the 21c Museum Hotels name and join AccorHotels’ MGallery collection, bringing the brand into a larger portfolio while preserving its distinctive identity that merges hospitality with public contemporary-art programming.
Kevin Frid, Chief Operating Officer for North and Central America at AccorHotels, said the acquisition strengthens the group’s presence in North America within a unique niche. He noted the opportunity to grow the 21c brand and introduce MGallery to the North American market, expanding guest experiences and reinforcing AccorHotels’ strategy to be a leading player in the luxury and lifestyle segment across the region.
Steve Wilson, founder of 21c Museum Hotels, welcomed the entry into the AccorHotels family and described AccorHotels as an ideal partner to support 21c’s future growth. He emphasized that the distinctive spirit of 21c—bringing contemporary artists’ work to the public in a hotel setting—will be preserved and is expected to flourish within the MGallery collection. Wilson added that the partnership offers a strong platform for continued expansion in North America and beyond and expressed excitement about the brand’s future development.
The combination of AccorHotels’ global reach and resources with 21c’s unique art-driven hospitality concept aims to expand both brands’ appeal to travelers seeking culturally rich, design-forward lodging options. Guests can expect the 21c properties to continue showcasing contemporary art alongside boutique accommodations while benefiting from the operational and marketing support of a major international hotel group.