Cudahy isn't usually associated with cutting-edge businesses, but soon it will feature a completely unique hotel and restaurant.

Located inside the old Fountain Blue building at 5133 S. Lake Dr., the new complex will feature a restaurant, called Sheridan's, and an attached 12-room boutique hotel called Sheridan House. Sheridan Park is across the street, and co-owner Lee Barczak recently learned -- after he had already chosen the name -- that the building housed the Sheridan Tourist Motel many years ago.

Barczak says the shell of the original building is intact, but the inside was completely gutted and renovated. He hopes to open his new venture on Sept. 30.

"It may open in October, but we are really pushing for Sept. 30," says Barczak.

Sheridan's restaurant will boast a bistro-style menu including specials from many parts of the world. It will be open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, and Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner.

Both Sheridan's and Sheridan House will have a wine theme. Every Sheridan House room is decorated in honor of a wine region, including a Champagne bridal suite, French Burgundy room and Napa Valley room.

"The theme aspect is subtle," says Barczak. "We chose color schemes and decorative items that fit with the name of the room, but it's not a concept (like other hotels) where there's an 'igloo room' and guests sleep in an igloo."

The upscale Sheridan House features the same beds that are in the prestigious Ritz -Carlton and all of the rooms have imported linens, heated floors, flat-screen televisions and wireless Internet. Three of the rooms have the latest versions of whirlpool tubs.

"It's a place for someone looking for something different," says Barczak. "It's a step up from a B&B, but not a chain hotel either. There really isn't anything like it in the city. The Hotel Metro is probably the closest."

Barczak says that Cudahy is the ideal location for the business because of its close proximity to the airport -- as well as parks, bike paths, running trails, beaches and tennis courts. He says it will also appeal to people visiting Milwaukee for festivals and conventions.

Scott Genke, owner of sgworks in Walker's Point, designed the art nouveau restaurant and the rooms of the hotel. Genke, who recently received a Mayor's Urban Design award for sgwork's storefront in a historic building, designed interiors for Red Room, Annona Bistro, Yaffa, Mantra (twice) and many others.

"We believe the design is going to knock peoples' socks off," says Barczak.

Jane Schilz, Barczak's wife and co-owner of the ventures, will manage Sheridan's and Sheridan House. The couple recently hired Holly Flechner, whose family owned the Fountain Blue, to work with them on the Sheridan's project.

Barczak is also the owner of the Avalon Theater building, and plans to have the space converted into a four-screen theater, restaurant, hotel and performance space by January 2008.

"This is going to be a completely different kind of theater experience," he says.