Conrad’s top suite gets $350K fine art makeover

The Conrad Indianapolis this year completed a $350,000 renovation of its most luxurious suite, landing the 2,000-square-foot Gallery Suite on an Elite Traveler magazine list of the top 23 hotel suites in the U.S. Among those who have stayed at the $3,000-per-night suite this year: Lil Wayne, Patrick Dempsey and David Letterman. The suite includes art pieces from Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Alexander Calder. The art consumed about $250,000 of the budget for the renovation of what had been known as the Presidential Suite. The suite also boasts a Bose sound system, custom light fixtures detailed with smoked crystal glass, silver leaf and a polished stainless steel finish, and modern Noguchi furnishings. The local master screen printer and painter Walter Knabe designed and installed a custom wall covering in the master bedroom. The project also transformed a dining area into a media room/library and eliminated a desk workspace so the suite can be used for parties and small receptions with up to 50 people. The Picasso etching in the Gallery Suite is just a preview of what's coming for the Conrad: A Picasso exhibition of 25 etchings, lithographs and linoleum cuts is planned for Sept. 4 through Oct. 14. The exhibit, unlike the suite, will be open to the public. (Photo/Conrad)