The Bartolotta Restaurants Are Proud to Announce Club 1902 as a Finalist of the 22nd Annual HD Project Awards

Club 1902 – the private, member’s only club located within The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant – made its debut on May 29, 2025, marking the first experience of its kind for The Bartolotta Restaurants. Less than one year after opening, Club 1902 has earned the distinction of being one of three finalists for the 22nd Annual HD Project Awards presented by Hospitality Design in the Member’s Club category. This recognition also marks the second consecutive year of HD Project Awards nominations for The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant. Winners will be announced May 5, 2026, at Encore Las Vegas. Meticulously designed by Jay Franke of Jay Franke Design, Club 1902 serves as a thoughtful homage to Wisconsin design, weaving together local and regional artistic influences with the sophistication and modern sensibility that define an elevated Bartolotta experience. Please follow this link for an image of Club 1902.

• About the 22nd Annual HD Project Awards. The 22nd annual HD Project Awards presented by Hospitality Design recognizes excellence in hospitality design for innovation, functionality, sustainability, and overall impact. Club 1902 is one of three nominees recognized in the Member’s Club category, which includes venues from New York and Lexington, KY. The HD Project Awards winners will be announced May 5, 2026, at Encore Las Vegas during the HD Expo + Conference. A complete list of nominees is available here. Nominees were carefully selected by a panel of judges, who evaluated nearly 900 entries from around the world.

• An Ode to Wisconsin. Club 1902 reimagines a long-dormant space on the lower level of The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant into a richly layered interior defined by warmth, craftsmanship, and refined comfort. Designer Jay Franke completely transformed the space to include a welcoming dining room and bar area, conversational seating clusters, a fireplace that anchors the interior, a quiet library retreat, and a lake-facing terrace that visually and physically extends the space into the surrounding landscape. The design language draws from the traditions of lake country living – fishing, swimming, boating, and sailing – translated into a sophisticated interior palette. Art plays a central role as both a visual anchor and a storytelling device. The interior prominently features works by acclaimed Wisconsin artist Tom Uttech, whose atmospheric landscape paintings capture the beauty of the state’s North Woods. Complementing these paintings are three commissioned quilts by Milwaukee-based artist Rosy Petri. These textile works introduce warmth, color, and tactile richness while celebrating regional craft traditions.
• A Commitment To the Future. Developed within a historic waterfront property, The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant seamlessly blends timeless charm with modern elegance. Originally opened in 1902 as Hasslinger’s Pleasant View Hotel and Resort, the property has undergone a meticulous multi-year restoration that preserves its rich heritage while creating a refined experience for today’s guests. The Bartolotta Restaurants continue to lead in elevating global awareness of Milwaukee and Wisconsin as premier dining destinations. This nomination adds to a growing body of recognition for The Bartolotta Restaurants as well as Milwaukee and Wisconsin as destinations for sophisticated design and exceptional hospitality.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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