MINNEAPOLIS
AJ Capital Partners announced Graduate Minneapolis is officially open. The 304-room hotel, formerly The Commons Hotel, is located on the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota. In addition to the hotel’s neighborhood gastropub, The Beacon, Graduate Minneapolis will feature food cart service in the lobby and its culinary concepting will be led by UCLA-based celebrity pastry chef Richard Ruskell.
“Minneapolis is a thriving city and hotbed for innovation,” said Graduate Hotels President Tim Franzen. “We are excited to be part of such a vibrant community, and just in time to celebrate the Super Bowl!”
Inspired by Minneapolis’ Norwegian influence and active lifestyle, Graduate Minneapolis evokes a cozy lake house feel with nods to the town’s adventurous spirit, celebrated athletic programs and creative community. The woodlands aesthetic extends to guest rooms, which also include references to local luminaries such as desk lamps modeled after a red 1964 Corvette Stingray, an obvious nod to Prince.
“Minneapolis simultaneously embraces city living and the outdoors,” Andrew Alford, chief creative officer of AJ Capital Partners, says. “We were inspired by town’s beautiful landscape and lush lakes.”
Graduate Minneapolis offers over 20,000 square feet of event space. The hotel has two large ballrooms, smaller flexible event venues, breakout rooms and boardrooms designed to accommodate all groups.
