Home2 Suites by Hilton /Tru by Hilton Minneapolis — Photo by Hawkeye Hotels

This month, a major rehab process will breathe new life into one of the city's vacated historic properties, as Iowa-based Hawkeye Hotels and Minnesota-based JR Hospitality begin rehab on a dual-branded hotel in downtown Minneapolis. This is the city's first Home2 Suites by Hilton and first Tru by Hilton. These hotels are the companies' 11th and 12th joint ventures together in the greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.

The structure, whose construction dates back to 1900, is located at 317 Second Avenue South, alongside the City of Lakes Building and Tritech Center.

The hotels are expected to have an economic impact of over $350 million over the next 20 years.

Previously known as the Western Union Bank Building and the William E. McGee Building, the structure served as the Public Defender's offices for Hennepin County until 2012. Since then, the property has lain vacant.

With a total of 201 rooms, the eight-story dual-branded hotel also will include a complimentary fitness center, business center and free high-speed wireless internet. The Home2 Suites rooms will include fully equipped kitchens.

The architecture firm behind the vision for this rehab is Ramaker & Associates, Inc.

Hotel website