Hotel showing ‘what we all really love’ about Nebraska opens at UNL’s Innovation Campus

The Scarlet Hotel, now open for bookings, will give hospitality students a hands-on education

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The ribbon was cut to open a brand-new hotel on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus on Friday.

The Scarlet Hotel opened Friday afternoon, and several notable people were present, including legendary Husker football coach Tom Osborne, University of Nebraska President Ted Carter, UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green and State Sen. Mark Kolterman. 

The hotel is a private business but is partnering with UNL. Hospitality students will be able to participate in classes at the hotel and learn in a real work environment.

“This college is going to be a game-changer for their experiences that they will have throughout their program of study, their opportunities for jobs after they finish with us, and their ability to be prepared for whatever career they take on once they graduate,” said Sherri Jones, dean of UNL’s College of Education and Human Sciences.

The hotel is owned by Tetrad Property Group, which was founded by former Nebraska offensive tackle Zach Wiegert and his partner, David Scott.

Wiegert said this project is something all Nebraskans can be proud of.

“I’m from Nebraska, and I’m very proud to be from Nebraska, and I think the great thing about this product is that it’ll show people from around the world what we all really love about this state,” he said. 

The hotel has 154 rooms available, as well as a rooftop bar, an exercise room, event space and dining options.  Each hotel room is named after a town in Nebraska and includes facts about each of those places.

From start to finish, the project took around six years to complete.

“I know we’ve come a long way since that first day,” Carter said. “And thanks to the leadership and vision of people here today, including Chancellor Ronnie Green and his team, Dan Duncan, the City of Lincoln, the leadership of our community, our county, our state, this is a day to celebrate.”

Wiegert talked about what he was looking forward to the most.

“I’m probably a little biased, but I’m really excited for our first home football game because I know this place will just be going crazy, and it’s designed to house those types of things,” he said. “We’re really proud of this product. I’d just like to say there’s no place like Nebraska and Go Big Red.”

The hotel is open for bookings and events, and more information can be found on its website.