Built in 1893 by businessman Guido Pfister and his son Charles, The Pfister quickly became known as the “Grand Hotel of the West” and a Milwaukee icon.

The Romanesque Revival style building was designed by architect Charles Koch at a cost of almost $1 million. In addition to its style and luxury, the hotel featured many innovations for its time, including fireproofing, electricity throughout the hotel and individual thermostat controls in every room.

In the 1960s the hotel underwent an extensive renovation to bring it back to its original beauty, and a new 23-story guest room tower was added.

Today, The Pfister remains one of the midwest's premier luxury hotels. Be sure to go inside...you'll feel like you stepped-back in time! Stroll the extraordinary lobby and take-in the hotel's history and beauty. The hotel contains the largest Victorian art collection of any hotel in the world! (Originally collected by Guido and Charles Pfister.) Ask about their self-guided tour of the collection, or see the Artist-in-Residence on the first floor.

This concludes our East Town Tour! You've done a lot of walking, If you need a rest, this is the perfect place to relax, soak in the atmosphere and have a drink.