Located in the original Milwaukee neighborhood, Milwaukee City Hall was built in the heart of the city. Built before widespread use of the automobile, citizens lived within city limits for proximity to goods and employment. City hall was at the center of Milwaukee urban life. To emphasize the importance of city hall, it was constructed on the site of a former market area near the center of the city where the original three neighborhoods of; Juneautown,
Kilbourntown, and Walker’s Point that made Milwaukee met. The design of City Hall was charged to Henry C. Koch. Who created a design in the Flemish renaissance style that also reflected the city's German heritage with a design reminiscent of the Haumburg Rathaus (city hall of Hamburg, Germany). Which was fully constructed in 1895. Throughout the following decades, additions and renovations were made as technology advanced. Including a lighted message system, which was located on the south side of building from 1906 to 1988. |
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Since 1895 Milwaukee City Hall has been the center of the downtown area. Adjacent to multiple restaurants, entertainment venues, and parks, City Hall acts as a beacon of the downtown entertainment district while serving its role as a vital civic institution.
The dynamic area immediately surrounding City Hall offers a variety experiences throughout the course of a day. Mornings see a diverse group of Milwaukee commuters traveling past City Hall by bus, bike, and car along Water Street on their way to work. After the morning commute the area is quite until the lunch hour when people go out lunch breaks. Food trucks line Water Street in front of Red Arrow Park, Starbucks line start to grow and the surrounding restaurants fill up. Throughout the afternoon the local coffee shops begin to get busy as traffic begins to condense as the evening commute begins. As the traffic subsides later in the evening, the restaurants, bars and clubs in the area begin to become crowded as students from nearby universities come for social gatherings. As the night progresses after midnight the bars seem to a decline in attendance until closing time around two or three in the morning. When Milwaukee was founded it consisted of three main neighborhoods: Juneautown to the East of the river, Kilbourntown to the West of the river, and Walker’s Point to the South. Today Milwaukee is similarly divided with the rivers acting as borders. The difference today is that the city is no longer simply divided into neighborhoods. The rivers now act as a racial boundary with the area that was once known as Juneautown being inhabited by Caucasians, Kilbourntown by African Americans, and Walker’s Point by Hispanics. City Hall sits near the confluence of these three racial groups allowing it to act as a place where these groups can come together to discuss the issues of the city they share. |
Project 1
History:
The current city hall building was built on the same location as the former Market Hall which operated as city hall from 1861-1872. Before it acted as city hall it was home to German theatrical groups and market stalls which faced the market square. When Milwaukee reached its 50th anniversary it was decided that a new city hall was needed. This caused tensions to rise between the three original neighborhoods (Juneautown, Kilbourntown, and Walker’s Point) because each wanted the new city hall to be in their neighborhood, but it was eventually decided to build the new building on the same site.
The Milwaukee City Hall was designed by Henry Koch in the Flemish renaissance style and completed in 1895. The design also reflects strong German heritage (The Hamburg Rathaus). The large number of German immigrants that came into Milwaukee around the late 1800s area heavily influenced the architecture surrounding City Hall.
In 1906 a lighted message system was added to the south side of the tower. The sign typically said ‘Welcome’ but it would be changed to congratulate sports teams, offer support to soldiers fighting in World Wars I and II, and celebrate national and local holidays. The system was dismantled in 1988 due to the rising cost of upkeep.
Experience:
Riding the Green Line from the UWM campus the bus turns south, making the transition from Brady Street to Water Street, signifying to the rider that you have entered downtown. The bus approaches State Street and you get your first view of City Hall. It’s impossible to miss. Even if you don’t know the building you know it’s significant. Standing out amongst its surroundings you can’t help but notice the two-story sandstone base, the rose terracotta, and the copper-clad bell tower. As the bus passes you get a quick glimpse of the arches that make up the base. Once off the bus at Wisconsin Avenue, City Hall is a short, two-block walk north. When you approach the building at street level you get a sense of the renaissance style in the vaulted entrance and ornamental, cherub capitals. Observing the flow of people in and out the building you can tell this a center of activity, with people constantly coming and going. Aside from those heading out to offsite meetings or to lunch at one of the nearby cafes, a number of individuals head across the street for afternoon coffee at the Starbucks in Red Arrow Park. It’s obvious this is the logistic and civic center of Milwaukee.
The current city hall building was built on the same location as the former Market Hall which operated as city hall from 1861-1872. Before it acted as city hall it was home to German theatrical groups and market stalls which faced the market square. When Milwaukee reached its 50th anniversary it was decided that a new city hall was needed. This caused tensions to rise between the three original neighborhoods (Juneautown, Kilbourntown, and Walker’s Point) because each wanted the new city hall to be in their neighborhood, but it was eventually decided to build the new building on the same site.
The Milwaukee City Hall was designed by Henry Koch in the Flemish renaissance style and completed in 1895. The design also reflects strong German heritage (The Hamburg Rathaus). The large number of German immigrants that came into Milwaukee around the late 1800s area heavily influenced the architecture surrounding City Hall.
In 1906 a lighted message system was added to the south side of the tower. The sign typically said ‘Welcome’ but it would be changed to congratulate sports teams, offer support to soldiers fighting in World Wars I and II, and celebrate national and local holidays. The system was dismantled in 1988 due to the rising cost of upkeep.
Experience:
Riding the Green Line from the UWM campus the bus turns south, making the transition from Brady Street to Water Street, signifying to the rider that you have entered downtown. The bus approaches State Street and you get your first view of City Hall. It’s impossible to miss. Even if you don’t know the building you know it’s significant. Standing out amongst its surroundings you can’t help but notice the two-story sandstone base, the rose terracotta, and the copper-clad bell tower. As the bus passes you get a quick glimpse of the arches that make up the base. Once off the bus at Wisconsin Avenue, City Hall is a short, two-block walk north. When you approach the building at street level you get a sense of the renaissance style in the vaulted entrance and ornamental, cherub capitals. Observing the flow of people in and out the building you can tell this a center of activity, with people constantly coming and going. Aside from those heading out to offsite meetings or to lunch at one of the nearby cafes, a number of individuals head across the street for afternoon coffee at the Starbucks in Red Arrow Park. It’s obvious this is the logistic and civic center of Milwaukee.
Project 2 |
Since 1895 Milwaukee City Hall has been the center of the downtown area. Adjacent to multiple restaurants, entertainment venues, and parks, City Hall acts as a beacon of the downtown entertainment district while serving its role as a vital civic institution.
The dynamic area immediately surrounding City Hall offers a variety experiences throughout the course of a day. Mornings see a diverse group of Milwaukee commuters traveling past City Hall by bus, bike, and car along Water Street on their way to work. A number of those commuters exit the Green and Gold Line buses at Wisconsin Avenue and make the short walk over to City Hall to begin their work day. Activity dwindles in the mid morning but resumes at midday as City Hall workers and employees from the surrounding business district exit their workplaces for their daily lunch breaks. Food trucks line Water Street in front of Red Arrow Park, Starbucks line start to grow and the surrounding restaurants fill up. In the afternoon coffee shops remain busy and people come and go intermittently but as the day turns to evening and approaches 5 o’clock the area begins to bustle once again as workers begin their commutes home. As the day turns to night the numerous restaurants in the area that earlier in the day served the workers in the area now become destinations for those from other parts of the city. Those looking to find entertainment attend shows and concerts at the Pabst Theater or musicals and plays at the Marcus Center, both of which are located along Water Street just a short distance from City Hall. Around 9 o’clock the nightlife scene along Water Street and across the river on Old World Third Street begins to pick up. Students from Marquette, UWM, and MSOE flock to the area which is home to numerous taverns and pubs. On weekends these area remain busy late into the night, regularly as late as two or three in the morning. In contrast to the diversity the area sees in those who use the space, the resident demographics of the area are very much homogeneous. This condition bares an interesting resemblance to the circumstances of Milwaukee in the early days of its settlement. When Milwaukee was founded it consisted of three main neighborhoods: Juneautown to the East of the river, Kilbourntown to the West of the river, and Walker’s Point to the South. Today Milwaukee is similarly divided with the rivers acting as borders. The difference today is that the city is no longer simply divided into neighborhoods. The rivers now act as a racial boundary with the area that was once known as Juneautown being inhabited by Caucasians, Kilbourntown by African Americans, and Walker’s Point by Hispanics. City Hall sits near the confluence of these three racial groups allowing it to act as a place where these groups can come together to discuss the issues of the city they share. |
Project 3 |
From 1895 to 1899 Milwaukee City Hall was the tallest building in the world. Standing over 300 feet tall, the building stood as a symbol of Milwaukee’s status a major U.S. city as well as showcasing the citizens building prowess.
Located in the original Milwaukee neighborhood, city hall was built in the heart of the city. Built before widespread use of the automobile, citizens lived within city limits for proximity to goods and employment. City hall was at the center of Milwaukee urban life. As the Automobile breaks onto the scene however, Milwaukee, like many other U.S. cities experiences urban sprawl. Permanent residence in the downtown area diminishes as citizens find comfort in the spacious suburban home. City halls status as a neighborhood landmark shifts to a mark of commerce. Today the majority of people occupying the area do so from the hours of 9am to 5pm, with occasional visits from the Milwaukee land owner paying there taxes. Our informant told us a story of is experience working in the area while most employees were on holiday. He explained, “ It is unbelievable how having thousands of employees within a block all on vacation does to the economy within a couple blocks.” He also explained that the area does have a lot to offer such as Red Arrow Park, Pabst Theater, the Marcus Center, numerous bars and restaurants, as well as exposition space and the beautiful architecture of City Hall. The lack of activity in the area is not due to under-utilization in terms of development, but likely due to the lack of linkage. With a lacking public transit system and strict parking regulations it is a bit of a hassle for a majority of Milwaukee to enjoy what this area has to offer. |
Project 4 |
Located in the original Milwaukee neighborhood, city hall was built in the heart of the city. Built before widespread use of the automobile, citizens lived within city limits for proximity to goods and employment.
City hall was at the center of Milwaukee urban life. As the Automobile breaks onto the scene however, Milwaukee, like many other U.S. cities experiences urban sprawl. Permanent residence in the downtown area diminishes as citizens nd comfort in the spacious suburban home. City halls status as a neighborhood landmark shifts to a mark of commerce. Today the majority of people occupying the area do so from the hours of 9am to 5pm, with occasional visits from the Milwaukee land owner paying there taxes. Our informant told us a story of is experience working in the area while most employees were on holiday. He explained, “ It is unbelievable how having thousands of employees within a block all on vacation does to the economy within a couple blocks.” He also explained that the area does have a lot to oer such as Red Arrow Park, Pabst Theatre, the Marcus Center, numerous bars and restaurants, as well as exposition space and the beautiful architecture of City Hall. The lack of activity in the area is not due to underutilization in terms of development, but likely due to the lack of linkage. With a lacking public transit system and strict parking regulations it is a bit of a hassle for a majority of Milwaukee to enjoy what this area has to oer. |