Historically, Walker’s Point was Milwaukee’s industrial center. The neighborhood’s glaring history and diversity can be seen as you stand at the corner of 1st and National Avenue and remains observable throughout the neighborhood. As it stands, the long-term effects of deindustrialization are visible in the closed off, private or abandoned properties with unwelcoming facades. These buildings, although reserved, hold the key to a successful revitalization of the neighborhood. The owner of the property we studied and the owners of the business located in the building understand that idea.
The revitalization of Walker’s Point is not about gentrification, starting over and placing capitalistic businesses in the neighborhood that have no regards to the identity that is Walker’s Point and no purpose to engage the community or the greater Milwaukee area. The revitalization of Walker’s Point revolves around its historical and contemporary identity. Vacant properties littered across the neighborhood could be re-purposed by local business owners into useful appealing spaces that attract people from across Milwaukee, while keeping the neighborhood’s current resident’s invested in their community. Movida acts as a precedent for future Walker’s Point businesses to contribute to the thriving transformation of the community. |
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Through the research and evaluations of Walker’s Point, it can be analyzed that businesses like Movida and Anodine Coffee are catalysts to attract people to the neighborhood and seem to show that growth in the area is inevitable. Through the transformation of historic industrial buildings that make up the majority of the lots in the area, it can be assumed that more shared investment from residents and those that see the area’s potential will continue this upward trend. It is also significant to note that the demographic of visitors that visit these establishments who don’t live in the area is quite diverse. The owner of Movida makes it clear that the incentive to start a business in Milwaukee, Walker’s Point to be exact, was to bring more diversity to the culinary culture. The economic investment that is put into these businesses that is driven primarily with the incentive of improving the community will most likely translate into developing the area that is demographically conscious and historically valuable.
Through studies, data collection, research, and mapping collection through various methods and scales, we have found that the roots of the Walker’s Point neighborhood run deep especially in a historical context. Its stories are told by people with different forms of interaction with the neighborhood; some that are longtime residents, some that fell in love and never left, and new comers that saw the beauty and potential and wanted to become a part of this great community. All of these wonderful individuals know the potential of Walker’s Point and as a result wholeheartedly invest in the community. This sense of comradery and support are aspects that formulate into a truly vibrant neighborhood. Walker’s Point has these ingredients; it is well on its way to becoming one of Milwaukee’s economically and culturally vibrant hub. |
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Project 1
When you step off the MCTS’ Green Line bus at 1st and National,
you step into the commercial center of Milwaukee’s historic
Walker’s Point Neighborhood. Since the 1930’s Walker’s
Point has gone from being Milwaukee’s industrial center, to a
neighborhood in transition and finally to its present day mixture
of diversity . The neighborhood’s glaring history and diversity
can be seen as you stand at the intersection of 1st and National
Avenue; it remains observable throughout the neighborhood. If
you head north away from the commercial center, the people,
shops, restaurants, and schools begin to tell the story of the
neighborhood.
Almost every single building in this area has a story. We
narrowed in on the story of the mixed use building at 524 S.
2nd sSstreet. From a street view you can see that this particular
block houses 8eight8 properties; 6 six6 of which are private,
closed off, and unwelcoming spaces. The long- term effects of
deindustrialization are visible in all but the two public buildings
on this block; our building at 524 S. 2nd Street and the Clock
Shadow building. During the day, the neighborhood almost
looks like a ghost town. The only surrounding businesses being
open after dark. When we visited in the morning, rather than
hearing the vibrant voices of people, we were over whelmed by
the fast traffic that bypassed the neighborhood.
Our building exemplifies the contemporary narrative that is
Walkers Point. As a mixed use building, this property is home
to a popular restaurant and three repurposed, industrial, private
lofts. The restaurant space on the ground level gives the
property a sense of destination with its two story windowed
façade. Looking in from the outside, you can see the exposed
cream city brick work that frames the building. Once inside
the property, the modern intervention on this historic building
becomes evident. The renovations commissioned by the current
owner in the last eight8 years are clear but not disruptive, giving
the property an added charm. The renovations continue to the
rooftop where residents of the property are able to gather
and enjoy a view of the Hoan Bridge. The roof top greets any
guest with an eerie atmosphere full of scattered plants, rusty
tricycles and other random artifacts. The space gives a sense
of abandonment, resembling a lot that has hastily evacuated by
an apocalypse.
The rooftop has multiple light wells that allow anyone in the roof
gathering space to see below into the garage of the building.
The walls of the garage are covered with random abandoned
artifacts, adding to the air of desertion in the private spaces
of the building. The sequential experience throughout the
building was very intriguing because the public spaces were so
welcoming and cozy but you were still able to see the effects
of deindustrialization in eerie private spaces. Both the public
and the private spaces in this building have a historical charm
that is only able to be experienced while moving throughout the
property.
you step into the commercial center of Milwaukee’s historic
Walker’s Point Neighborhood. Since the 1930’s Walker’s
Point has gone from being Milwaukee’s industrial center, to a
neighborhood in transition and finally to its present day mixture
of diversity . The neighborhood’s glaring history and diversity
can be seen as you stand at the intersection of 1st and National
Avenue; it remains observable throughout the neighborhood. If
you head north away from the commercial center, the people,
shops, restaurants, and schools begin to tell the story of the
neighborhood.
Almost every single building in this area has a story. We
narrowed in on the story of the mixed use building at 524 S.
2nd sSstreet. From a street view you can see that this particular
block houses 8eight8 properties; 6 six6 of which are private,
closed off, and unwelcoming spaces. The long- term effects of
deindustrialization are visible in all but the two public buildings
on this block; our building at 524 S. 2nd Street and the Clock
Shadow building. During the day, the neighborhood almost
looks like a ghost town. The only surrounding businesses being
open after dark. When we visited in the morning, rather than
hearing the vibrant voices of people, we were over whelmed by
the fast traffic that bypassed the neighborhood.
Our building exemplifies the contemporary narrative that is
Walkers Point. As a mixed use building, this property is home
to a popular restaurant and three repurposed, industrial, private
lofts. The restaurant space on the ground level gives the
property a sense of destination with its two story windowed
façade. Looking in from the outside, you can see the exposed
cream city brick work that frames the building. Once inside
the property, the modern intervention on this historic building
becomes evident. The renovations commissioned by the current
owner in the last eight8 years are clear but not disruptive, giving
the property an added charm. The renovations continue to the
rooftop where residents of the property are able to gather
and enjoy a view of the Hoan Bridge. The roof top greets any
guest with an eerie atmosphere full of scattered plants, rusty
tricycles and other random artifacts. The space gives a sense
of abandonment, resembling a lot that has hastily evacuated by
an apocalypse.
The rooftop has multiple light wells that allow anyone in the roof
gathering space to see below into the garage of the building.
The walls of the garage are covered with random abandoned
artifacts, adding to the air of desertion in the private spaces
of the building. The sequential experience throughout the
building was very intriguing because the public spaces were so
welcoming and cozy but you were still able to see the effects
of deindustrialization in eerie private spaces. Both the public
and the private spaces in this building have a historical charm
that is only able to be experienced while moving throughout the
property.
Project 2
National Avenue can be seen as an iconic street in the Walker’s
point neighborhood. This iconic street acts as a border
between the Third Ward and Bay View. In a sense, it is an
entry point to the south side of Milwaukee. This neighborhood
was once Milwaukee’s industrial center; in its present day
transformation stage, some of the abandoned factories have
been transformed into new businesses. These repurposed
buildings and businesses add character to the surrounding
neighborhood. Through our map studies, we have learned that
the neighborhood is compiled of historically industrial buildings,
new businesses, and multi-family homes that are mostly
gathered around the southwest corner of the neighborhood.
In addition, it can be noted that commercial buildings such as
McDonalds are an example of the ugly capitalistic endeavors
in the neighborhood that were put in place disregarding the
potential development of the area as a thriving community.
These businesses and buildings exist in the neighborhood with
no purpose to engage the community. Despite these unseemly
businesses, local and unique businesses such as Movida
and Anodine coffee have taken over the historic buildings of
the neighborhood with their thriving businesses, transforming
the space into a useful, appealing place that attracts people
not only in the neighborhood but people from different areas
of Milwaukee. These businesses are a first step in integrating
Milwaukee communities as a whole, encouraging people to
travel outside of their home base
point neighborhood. This iconic street acts as a border
between the Third Ward and Bay View. In a sense, it is an
entry point to the south side of Milwaukee. This neighborhood
was once Milwaukee’s industrial center; in its present day
transformation stage, some of the abandoned factories have
been transformed into new businesses. These repurposed
buildings and businesses add character to the surrounding
neighborhood. Through our map studies, we have learned that
the neighborhood is compiled of historically industrial buildings,
new businesses, and multi-family homes that are mostly
gathered around the southwest corner of the neighborhood.
In addition, it can be noted that commercial buildings such as
McDonalds are an example of the ugly capitalistic endeavors
in the neighborhood that were put in place disregarding the
potential development of the area as a thriving community.
These businesses and buildings exist in the neighborhood with
no purpose to engage the community. Despite these unseemly
businesses, local and unique businesses such as Movida
and Anodine coffee have taken over the historic buildings of
the neighborhood with their thriving businesses, transforming
the space into a useful, appealing place that attracts people
not only in the neighborhood but people from different areas
of Milwaukee. These businesses are a first step in integrating
Milwaukee communities as a whole, encouraging people to
travel outside of their home base
Project 3
Narrative: Summary
Through all of our research and evaluations of Walker’s Point,
it can be analyzed that businesses like Movida and Anodine
Coffee are catalysts to attract people to the neighborhood and
seem to show that growth in the area is inevitable. Through
the transformation of historic industrial buildings that make
up the majority of the lots in the area, it can be assumed that
more shared investment from residents and those that see
the area’s potential will continue this upward trend. It is also
significant to note that the demographic of visitors that visit
these establishments who don’t live in the area is quite diverse.
The owner of Movida makes it clear that the incentive to start a
business in Milwaukee, Walker’s Point to be exact, was to bring
more diversity to the culinary culture. The economic investment
that is put into these businesses that is driven primarily with the
incentive of improving the community will most likely translate
into developing the area that is demographically conscious and
historically valuable.
Through studies, data collection, research, and mapping
collection through various methods and scales, we have found
that the roots of the Walker’s Point neighborhood run deep
especially in a historical context. Its stories are told by people
with different forms of interaction with the neighborhood; some
that are longtime residents, some that fell in love and never
left, and new comers that saw the beauty and potential and
wanted to become a part of this great community. All of these
wonderful individuals know the potential of Walker’s Point and
as a result wholeheartedly invest in the community. This sense
of comradery and support are aspects that formulate into a truly
vibrant neighborhood. Walker’s Point has these ingredients; it is
well on its way to becoming one of Milwaukee’s economically
and culturally vibrant hub.
Interview wtih Andrei, co-owner of Movida
After living in Spain for 15 years, Andre, owner of Movida,
decided to come back to his home town to bring the authentic
Spanish cuisine and culture that he felt lacked. He spoke of a
movement over the last 10 years that has brought in cultural
establishments that hadn’t previously been represented in
Milwaukee. Movida, and most of the owners in the surrounding
area have understood the importance of the area’s social and
economic identity. As the neighborhood grows, he believes
that it is important that locals along with business owners to
have a wholehearted investment to the economic growth of the
community.
Interview with Evan, local business owner and resident
There are many aspects of the Walker’s Point area that make this
neighborhood important to Evan Christian. He is a resident of
one of neighborhood’s beautifully repurposed buildings that was
left vacant and abandoned after deindustrialization. Evan is also
a local business-owner and musician who performs flamenco
music every Tuesday night at Movida. He has exerienced
the communities efforts towards revitalization first hand.
Evan appreciates the potential of what the neighborhood can
become but also respects what the neighborhood has always
been. Our conversation led us to the idea of gentrification. He
understands the negativity behind gentrification but as a local
business owner, he and other local business owners like Andrei
are invested in the communities current residents as much
as the future residents and take steps to allow diversity to be
exemplified in their buisinesses. It is these businesses on and
near National Avenue that will keep current residents invested
in the commmunity no matter where they may live in the future.
Through all of our research and evaluations of Walker’s Point,
it can be analyzed that businesses like Movida and Anodine
Coffee are catalysts to attract people to the neighborhood and
seem to show that growth in the area is inevitable. Through
the transformation of historic industrial buildings that make
up the majority of the lots in the area, it can be assumed that
more shared investment from residents and those that see
the area’s potential will continue this upward trend. It is also
significant to note that the demographic of visitors that visit
these establishments who don’t live in the area is quite diverse.
The owner of Movida makes it clear that the incentive to start a
business in Milwaukee, Walker’s Point to be exact, was to bring
more diversity to the culinary culture. The economic investment
that is put into these businesses that is driven primarily with the
incentive of improving the community will most likely translate
into developing the area that is demographically conscious and
historically valuable.
Through studies, data collection, research, and mapping
collection through various methods and scales, we have found
that the roots of the Walker’s Point neighborhood run deep
especially in a historical context. Its stories are told by people
with different forms of interaction with the neighborhood; some
that are longtime residents, some that fell in love and never
left, and new comers that saw the beauty and potential and
wanted to become a part of this great community. All of these
wonderful individuals know the potential of Walker’s Point and
as a result wholeheartedly invest in the community. This sense
of comradery and support are aspects that formulate into a truly
vibrant neighborhood. Walker’s Point has these ingredients; it is
well on its way to becoming one of Milwaukee’s economically
and culturally vibrant hub.
Interview wtih Andrei, co-owner of Movida
After living in Spain for 15 years, Andre, owner of Movida,
decided to come back to his home town to bring the authentic
Spanish cuisine and culture that he felt lacked. He spoke of a
movement over the last 10 years that has brought in cultural
establishments that hadn’t previously been represented in
Milwaukee. Movida, and most of the owners in the surrounding
area have understood the importance of the area’s social and
economic identity. As the neighborhood grows, he believes
that it is important that locals along with business owners to
have a wholehearted investment to the economic growth of the
community.
Interview with Evan, local business owner and resident
There are many aspects of the Walker’s Point area that make this
neighborhood important to Evan Christian. He is a resident of
one of neighborhood’s beautifully repurposed buildings that was
left vacant and abandoned after deindustrialization. Evan is also
a local business-owner and musician who performs flamenco
music every Tuesday night at Movida. He has exerienced
the communities efforts towards revitalization first hand.
Evan appreciates the potential of what the neighborhood can
become but also respects what the neighborhood has always
been. Our conversation led us to the idea of gentrification. He
understands the negativity behind gentrification but as a local
business owner, he and other local business owners like Andrei
are invested in the communities current residents as much
as the future residents and take steps to allow diversity to be
exemplified in their buisinesses. It is these businesses on and
near National Avenue that will keep current residents invested
in the commmunity no matter where they may live in the future.
Project 4
Monograph: Historical and Contemporary Narrative
Our instruction of the Walker’s Point area was collected
through research of the community at two scales. At the
larger scale, we studied Walker’s Point as a community in
the larger Milwaukee area. To better understand our findings,
we also studied the neighborhood at a more personal scale.
In the research at a smaller scale, we narrowed in on the
property and business located at 524 S. 2nd St. Almost every
building in this neighborhood tells a unique story, we chose
this building because it houses a unique restaurant, Movida.
This local business is a welcoming Spanish cuisine restaurant
that adds to the contemporary narrative associated with the
revitalization of Walker’s Point while working with other local
business and property owners in the neighborhood to maintain
the neighborhood’s strong historical identity.
Historically, Walker’s Point was Milwaukee’s industrial center.
The neighborhood’s glaring history and diversity can be seen
as you stand at the corner of 1st and National Avenue and
remains observable throughout the neighborhood. As it stands,
the long-term effects of deindustrialization are visible in the
closed off, private or abandoned properties with unwelcoming
facades. These buildings, although reserved, hold the key to a
successful revitalization of the neighborhood. The owner of the
property we studied and the owners of the business located in
the building understand that idea.
The revitalization of Walker’s Point is not about gentrification,
starting over and placing capitalistic businesses in the
neighborhood that have no regards to the identity that is
Walker’s Point and no purpose to engage the community
or the greater Milwaukee area. The revitalization of Walker’s
Point revolves around its historical and contemporary identity.
Vacant properties littered across the neighborhood could be
repurposed by local business owners into useful appealing
spaces that attract people from across Milwaukee, while
keeping the neighborhood’s current resident’s invested in their
community. Movida acts as a precedent for future Walker’s
Point businesses to contribute to the thriving transformation of
the community.
Sanborn maps are an essential tool to show historically industrial buildings and present day neighborhood landmarks
such as the freeway, train tracks, the fire house and Lake Michigan. Between 1894 and 1910, there is minimal change
in the footprints of the neighborhood although the businesses that occupied changed. While establishments such as
the public school and St. John’s Episcopal Church remained intact. By 1894, Milwaukee had established itself as a
“center for modern manufacturing”, their identity as a strong collective of skilled craft shops providing a solid foundation for large manufacturing companies to eventually dominate the region. At this time, Milwaukee had “the advantages of an expanding urban market, a steady stream of immigrant, and easy access to materials and customers through an ever-improving transportation system”. These historical maps are indicative of Milwaukee’s industrial past.
Demographically we noticed that the area surrounding the particular area of National Avenue was heavily Hispanic.
It is proof of how Milwaukee is not only segregated between black and white populations, but is deeply segregated
in terms of the Hispanic community as well. Most of the area surrounding our site is private businesses in deindustrialized
properties. According to the 2010 census, the areas that are residential around National Avenue are mostly
inhabited by Hispanic families in multi-family homes. North of 524 S. 2nd Street the deindustrialized properties have
begun to be transformed into private lofts or condo spaces, following the Third Ward’s lead. These new properties are
bringing in a new millennial demographic. An architectural challenge would be to critically assess how urban development
and building development can integrate communities to at least start the process of desegregation in Milwaukee.
At building scale, the demographic information gathered from observing who came into the property at dinner time
emphasized the fact that Movida is a significantly important destination spot in Walkers Point due to significant difference
in the racial/ethnic patterns compared to the general population of Walker’s Point. While the business encourages
white populations to travel to Walker’s Point for a romantic evening, it does not encourage them to move into the
heavily Hispanic neighborhood.
Our instruction of the Walker’s Point area was collected
through research of the community at two scales. At the
larger scale, we studied Walker’s Point as a community in
the larger Milwaukee area. To better understand our findings,
we also studied the neighborhood at a more personal scale.
In the research at a smaller scale, we narrowed in on the
property and business located at 524 S. 2nd St. Almost every
building in this neighborhood tells a unique story, we chose
this building because it houses a unique restaurant, Movida.
This local business is a welcoming Spanish cuisine restaurant
that adds to the contemporary narrative associated with the
revitalization of Walker’s Point while working with other local
business and property owners in the neighborhood to maintain
the neighborhood’s strong historical identity.
Historically, Walker’s Point was Milwaukee’s industrial center.
The neighborhood’s glaring history and diversity can be seen
as you stand at the corner of 1st and National Avenue and
remains observable throughout the neighborhood. As it stands,
the long-term effects of deindustrialization are visible in the
closed off, private or abandoned properties with unwelcoming
facades. These buildings, although reserved, hold the key to a
successful revitalization of the neighborhood. The owner of the
property we studied and the owners of the business located in
the building understand that idea.
The revitalization of Walker’s Point is not about gentrification,
starting over and placing capitalistic businesses in the
neighborhood that have no regards to the identity that is
Walker’s Point and no purpose to engage the community
or the greater Milwaukee area. The revitalization of Walker’s
Point revolves around its historical and contemporary identity.
Vacant properties littered across the neighborhood could be
repurposed by local business owners into useful appealing
spaces that attract people from across Milwaukee, while
keeping the neighborhood’s current resident’s invested in their
community. Movida acts as a precedent for future Walker’s
Point businesses to contribute to the thriving transformation of
the community.
Sanborn maps are an essential tool to show historically industrial buildings and present day neighborhood landmarks
such as the freeway, train tracks, the fire house and Lake Michigan. Between 1894 and 1910, there is minimal change
in the footprints of the neighborhood although the businesses that occupied changed. While establishments such as
the public school and St. John’s Episcopal Church remained intact. By 1894, Milwaukee had established itself as a
“center for modern manufacturing”, their identity as a strong collective of skilled craft shops providing a solid foundation for large manufacturing companies to eventually dominate the region. At this time, Milwaukee had “the advantages of an expanding urban market, a steady stream of immigrant, and easy access to materials and customers through an ever-improving transportation system”. These historical maps are indicative of Milwaukee’s industrial past.
Demographically we noticed that the area surrounding the particular area of National Avenue was heavily Hispanic.
It is proof of how Milwaukee is not only segregated between black and white populations, but is deeply segregated
in terms of the Hispanic community as well. Most of the area surrounding our site is private businesses in deindustrialized
properties. According to the 2010 census, the areas that are residential around National Avenue are mostly
inhabited by Hispanic families in multi-family homes. North of 524 S. 2nd Street the deindustrialized properties have
begun to be transformed into private lofts or condo spaces, following the Third Ward’s lead. These new properties are
bringing in a new millennial demographic. An architectural challenge would be to critically assess how urban development
and building development can integrate communities to at least start the process of desegregation in Milwaukee.
At building scale, the demographic information gathered from observing who came into the property at dinner time
emphasized the fact that Movida is a significantly important destination spot in Walkers Point due to significant difference
in the racial/ethnic patterns compared to the general population of Walker’s Point. While the business encourages
white populations to travel to Walker’s Point for a romantic evening, it does not encourage them to move into the
heavily Hispanic neighborhood.