02/27/2026
On Tuesday, we announced a transformative public-private partnership to restore the historic Hotel Florence and key buildings within Pullman State Historic Site, leveraging $21 million in state capital funds to unlock more than $83 million in private investment.
This agreement will revitalize the 1881 Hotel Florence, its annex, and portions of the Pullman Car Works building, transforming the site into a boutique hotel, dining destination, and cultural hub. Led by Scott Henry of Celadon Construction Corp., this marks the first major public-private partnership for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
This project strengthens our local economy while preserving an important piece of our history, bringing new energy and opportunity to our community.