Aparium Hotel Group announces the grand opening of Cyrus Hotel in the heart of Downtown Topeka, adding to its extensive portfolio of hotels across the country which includes Detroit Foundation Hotel, Hewing Hotel, The Pontchartrain Hotel, nearby Crossroads Hotel and more.
Located at 920 S Kansas Avenue, Cyrus Hotel is the first boutique lifestyle hotel in Topeka. It blends the property blends a historic building with a modern new-build tower to culminate in the eight-story, 109-room property. Its flagship restaurant, The Weather Room, employs a local purveyor and regional farm philosophy, offering in-room and all-day dining as well as servicing two ballrooms with flexible meeting and event spaces.
The hotel is named for Cyrus K. Holliday, the first President of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad who literally put Topeka on the map. An adjutant general of Kansas in the Civil War, Holliday's military career and deep connection to the prairie landscape is apparent throughout Cyrus Hotel's design, which was spearheaded by Topeka-based design firm Architect One.
Inspired by the endearment of a historical-era, when railroad steam engines and pioneers on horses raced across the plains, Cyrus Hotel's design is also the embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit of the future success of Downtown Topeka. Architect One styled and finished the hotel with brick and stone to pay homage to the historical structures that once stood in its place, weaving in contemporary details and industrial-chic appointments. Curated in partnership with style consultant Avenir Creative, the interiors bring a modern twist to the elegance of the iron-rail era where well-healed passengers enjoyed the plushness and comfort that the best railways had to offer.
Topeka is a city poised for renaissance and bursting with culture. Many noteworthy developments in the city support the need for new hospitality inventory, including the forthcoming Downtown Topeka Plaza, a $9.5 million revitalization project inclusive of gardens, performance spaces, a splash park and an ice rink, set to be completed in 2020. The hotel is in close proximity to the Kansas State Capitol Visitor Center, Topeka Performing Arts Center, the Jayhawk Theatre, Mulvane Art Museum, Gage Park and more.
The hotel is owned and was developed by Topeka-based AIM Strategies, a leading developer in the revitalization of Downtown Topeka. "150 years ago, Cyrus K. Holliday wrote about the 'brilliant future awaiting those in Topeka and Shawnee County' and I'm proud to say that same idea is true today," said Cody Foster, Owner and Founder of AIM Strategies. "Everywhere you look, great development and great people are making Topeka an amazing place to work, live and visit. Teaming with Aparium on Cyrus Hotel couldn't make us happier. Cyrus Hotel will serve as a destination for visitors to our great city, as well as our own citizens. I am excited for our own brilliant future here in Topeka."
"We're thrilled to grow roots in a city that's brimming with both a rich history and an exciting future," said Kevin Robinson, Co-Founder and Principal of Aparium Hotel Group. "Cyrus Hotel celebrates Topeka's character with Aparium's signature philosophy of 'translocal hospitality.' Our goal is for Cyrus Hotel is to be an attractive new hotel concept for travelers visiting Downtown Topeka while equally becoming a source of pride for locals."
Designed to be a true Topekan experience, every element of Cyrus Hotel has been carefully composed to ensure the property is reflective of its home. Cyrus Hotel collaborated with local food and beverage brands for unique guest room bar offerings that will include small-batch chocolates from Hazel Hill Chocolate, premium popcorn from Cashmere Gourmet Popcorn, Kansas barbecue peanuts from Farmstead Nut & Treats, Red Eye Whiskey beef jerky from Farview Farms, a sparkling apple cider from Louisburg Cider Mill, handcrafted artisan hibiscus blueberry kombucha from Tea-Biotics, a ready-to-drink hot toddy coffee by Domain Cold Brew, and vodka from S.D Strong Distilling.
Cyrus Hotel will also engage with local artisans, tenured businesses and more to create rich guest programming allowing visitors to experience both the history and future of this city known for being at the forefront of change and development.
Cyrus Hotel's flagship bar and restaurant, The Weather Room, brings a modern American steakhouse concept to Downtown Topeka that promises to be a must visit dining destination for travelers and locals alike. Elegant yet down-to-earth, The Weather Room caters to a variety of palates, offering a range of shareable dishes, a house-cured charcuterie program, hearty meats and fresh seafood options. Helmed by Executive Chef Rida El Azri Ennassiri, the restaurant places a heavy emphasis on local purveyors, featuring specialty cheeses from Jason Wiebe Dairy, preserves from Rees Fruit Farm, delicate spices from Moburts and meats sourced exclusively from the midwest region.
The dinner menu will boast savory steakhouse mainstays like the Kansas City Strip and Bone-In Duron Pork Chop in addition to delicately prepared seafood options such as Scallops with Cauliflower, Butternut Squash and Capers and Scottish Salmon with Charmoula, Crispy Potato and Roasted Carrot. Breakfast service will feature lighter fare, including House Smoked Salmon and Overnight Steel Cut Oats; lunch will offer elevated classics like the Smoked Shrimp Cocktail, indulgent Braised Bacon finished with maple syrup, and the restaurant's signature burger, The Burnett Burger. A bountiful brunch will be available on Sundays.
The beverage program, developed to perfectly complement the steakhouse fare, will feature an extensive wine list with both domestic staples and international varietals; hyper-seasonal beer selections from local breweries including Iron Rail Brewing, The Blind Tiger Brewery, and Happy Basset Brewing Co; and specialty cocktails that will incorporate unique twists on classics like The Weather Room Old-Fashioned, complete with a house-made bourbon barrel-aged by the restaurant and the option to have the drink "smoked" tableside.
Additional amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi access, a 24-hour business center, pet amenities, a 24-hour fitness center and more.
Nightly rates begin at $139 per night. For additional information and reservations, visit www.cyrushotel.com and follow the hotel on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
