MONROE, Wis. — The Eugene Hotel will begin accepting reservations Friday, July 31, as the restoration of one of the most prominent historic buildings on Monroe’s downtown Square reaches a major milestone.

The project is being led by brothers Chris and Tyler Soukup, owners of the Eugene Hotel and the neighboring Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern, along with local architect Aaron Holverson and his business partner Ashley Sarver of Studio GWA Architects. "They have been instrumental in everything we’ve done," said Chris Soukup, adding they both deserve much of the credit for the project.

Originally constructed in 1924, the Eugene Hotel first opened to the public in August 1925. At the time, it was considered one of Monroe’s most modern buildings, offering private telephones, extensive electrical lighting and plumbing features that were advanced for the era.

The hotel eventually became an important destination for travelers, businesspeople and local residents before closing in 1981. Retail businesses continued to use portions of the ground floor, but the former hotel rooms remained vacant for many years.