Crews are hard at work on a new $54 million Downtown Milwaukee Marriott at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Milwaukee Street. The new 200-room hotel won't be open until 2013, but before then several spaces and buildings in the area are preparing and reemerging.

One, the old Guardian Credit Union on Broadway, has a creative new facade that's meant to entice new tenants while helping it stand out in a crowded market of underused and under appreciated Downtown spaces.

It's a great idea, and truly helps better showcase the opportunity on a street that soon will be bustling. Plus, it just looks good. More property owners should follow suit.

Hats off to the team spearheaded by Richard Duprey. The City of Milwaukee, Tom Steepy at Signs Now, architect Doug Gallus, 360 Direct and Purofirst all helped create the facade.