New York stands in pride with Empire State Building and Washington D.C with The White House, Chicago possesses Navy Pier and San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge. But what architecture marvels have defined the character of the city of Milwaukee? Breaking limits has become the new cool, setting records and breaking them again. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has been continuously updating their records for cities, countries and continents with tallest man-made structures. Meanwhile, Milwaukee- city in the state of Wisconsin, sites on the west shore of Lake Michigan with astounding views and breath-taking buildings.
The top 15 tall buildings of Milwaukee are:
1. U.S BANK CENTER
Height: 183 m (601 feet)
Floors: 42
Architect: Bruce Graham (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)
Building Function: Office
Completion: 1973
Located in Downtown Milwaukee, it stands as the tallest building in the state of Wisconsin. The building features a steel frame sheathed with a white coated aluminium and glass facade. An International Style building that houses headquarters and corporate offices of some eminent American companies. 41st floor holds the Observation deck that provides the viewers with stunning views.
2. NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL TOWER AND COMMONS
Height: 169 m (554 feet)
Floors: 32
Architect: Kendall/ Heaton Associates
Building Function: Office
Completion: 2017
A LEED New Construction Gold labelled building that houses the corporate offices had been proposed to reconstruct in 2012 after the former building was demolished. It encompasses a high performance urban campus, an employee centric environment both indoors and outdoors. Stunning views of Lake Michigan and lush landscaping provides for employee productivity.
3. 100 EAST WISCONSIN (THE FAISON BUILDING)
Height: 151 m (495 feet)
Floors: 37
Architect: LS3P Associates
Building Function: Office
Completion: 1989
The tower features a rectangular footprint and a crown sat atop featuring the Flemish Renaissance style. This building is surrounded with prominent landmarks of the City River Walk and Lake Michigan on the east.
4. UNIVERSITY CLUB TOWER
Height: 136 m (446 feet)
Floors: 37
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Building Function: Residential
Completion: 2007
Built on the shoreline adjacent to Lake Michigan, the residential tower offers great views of the city. Built in concrete, Steel and Glass, the tower offers utter luxury for the residents.
5. ASSOCIATED BANK RIVER CENTER
Height: 130 m (426 feet)
Floors: 28
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Building Function: Commercial Office
Completion: 1989
Located beside the Milwaukee River in the downtown Entertainment District, the 373,000 square floor tower offers 360 degree view of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee River and Milwaukee Skyline.
6. 411 EAST WISCONSIN CENTER
Height: 124 m (408 feet)
Floors: 30
Architect: Harry Weese Associates
Building Function: Commercial Office
Completion: 1985
Built in Modernist Architecture Style, the building is constructed with 1200 eight-ton precast concrete panels. The contractors demolished the pre-existing Goldsmith building to construct this Green Building with an overall 6.7% total Energy improvement. The building has set their plans towards an energy-efficient future. The building consists of a 5-storey lobby atrium with restaurant, gym, bank and sundry shops.
7. NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL NORTH TOWER
Height: 120 m (395 feet)
Floors: 19
Architect: Affiliated Engineers
Building Function: Commercial Office
Completion: 1990
The Postmodernist Office building stands at the heart of the city of Milwaukee showcasing its era and proving to be one of the prominent buildings in the city. The light blue pyramid at the top is lit in the night adding an identity to the Milwaukee Skyline.
8. 7SEVENTY 7
Height: 118 m (387 feet)
Floors: 34
Architect: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Building Function: Residential
Completion: 2018
Built with concrete, the building is newly constructed with 310 one, two and three bedroom apartments and convertible studio apartments. This includes 14 penthouses, retail space on the ground floor and about 1400 parking spaces for the residents and the public.
9. KILBOURN TOWER
Height: 115.8 m (380 feet)
Floors: 33
Architect: La Dallman Architects/ Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Building Function: Residential
Completion: 2005
Built in Modernist Style, the tower overlooks the Solomon Juneau Park and the lakefront. The building is strategically located and offers pedestrian access to the central business district. The condos offer luxury and various amenities within the building.
10. MILWAUKEE CITY HALL
Height: 107.6 m (353 feet)
Floors: 15
Architect: Henry C. Koch & Company
Building Function: Government
Completion: 1895
The City Hall marked the tallest inhabited structure for 4 years until 1899. Built in Flemish Renaissance Revival Style, the facades consist of lavish arches and recessed windows. The turret showcases the clock with copper cladded spire atop. The eight floors rise from the floor connecting to the massive tower over the top. This building stood the tallest in the city for 80 years.
11. THE MODERNE
Height: 106.1 m (348 feet)
Floors: 30
Architect: Rinka Chung Architecture, Inc
Building Function: Residential
Completion: 2013
‘Moderne’ refers to the architecture style of 1930-1950s which can be highly observed on the building’s facade. The features include rounded corners, multi paned windows and horizontal and vertical reveals. The building features residential and retail spaces. It is also the tallest building west of the Milwaukee River.
12. BMO HARRIS FINANCIAL CENTER
Height: 102.1 m (335 feet)
Floors: 23
Architect: Kahler Slater
Building Function: Office
Completion: 2020
Under Construction, the tower sits on 360,000 square feet with Offices and Banks in place on the upper floors and retail on the ground. The tower will feature amenities including a shared, multi media conference centre, common tenant terrace and a fitness centre. The facade includes floor to ceiling windows and column free edges.
13. MILLER PARK
Height: 100m (330 feet)
Floors: 4
Architect: HKS, NBBJ
Building Function: Stadium
Completion: 2001
Total capacity of 41,900 and featuring North America’s only fan-shaped convertible roof which can open and close in about 10 minutes sets to be home to the Milwaukee Brewers. It is one of the largest construction projects ever being built in Wisconsin’s history with $290 million public funds.
14. THE POTAWATOMI CASINO HOTEL
Height: 93.6m (307 feet)
Floors: 21
Architect: Cuningham Group
Building Function: Hospitality
Completion: 2014
New Construction Gold project with 189,000 square feet area that also accommodates 381 rooms, a casual dining restaurant, a lobby bar/lounge, and a meeting space. The casino features slot machines, table games, seat bingo-hall, seven restaurants and a seat theatre.
15. 1000 NORTH WATER STREET
Height: 90.2m (296 feet)
Floors: 16
Architect: Harwood K. Smith and Partners
Building Function: Office
Completion: 1991
The light pink colour of the facade and the windows adds an identity to the building on the stunning skyline of the city. The facade is cladded in Lac du Bonnet from Manitoba. This building is also home to the field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
