Historic City Hall Renovation Welcomes Visitors
01/27/2009
$70 Million Project Restores National Historic Landmark
PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
MILWAUKEE- Jan. 27, 2009 - Even in a city rich in historic landmarks, Milwaukee's City Hall is a standout. From its unique trapezoidal shape to its 11-ton bell, this Grande Dame of Milwaukee architecture is an icon treasured by locals and sought out by visitors. A three-year, $70 million restoration project that encased the building in 75 miles of scaffolding has returned City Hall to its original glory, and to its place as one of the best examples of Flemish Renaissance Revival architecture in the United States.
Painstaking attention was paid to detail during the course of the project. Original sandstone carvings from the building's facade were used to create molds to recast whimsical exterior adornments such as wolf heads, winged dragons, eagles, infants and cherubs. The building's distinctive south clock tower was restored, with a translucent clock face illuminated from behind, according to Milwaukee architect H.C. Koch's original plans. More than 200,000 new gas-fired bricks were matched to the color and texture of their 19th century, kiln-fired counterparts. 1,900 windows were restored, and more than 19,000 pieces of slate and 240,000 pounds of copper were used to repair the building's roof.
At 393-feet tall, Milwaukee's City Hall reigned as the second largest building in America when it was completed in 1895. It was exceeded only by the Philadelphia City Hall. The building took three years to complete at a cost of $945,000. Designed over a steel skeleton, the nine-story structure was unique by construction standards of the time. Four passenger elevators, a massive glass skylight spanning a 70-ft.-long atrium, and its distinctive wedge shape, narrowing from 105 feet wide on the north end to a mere 56 feet on the south, distinguished the new home of Milwaukee's city government.
City Hall's image has graced everything from post cards to the opening credits of the TV show "Laverne and Shirley" over the past century. In 1973 it was placed on the National Register of Historical Places, and in 2005 was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The interior of the building is open to visitors during normal business hours.
Milwaukee was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2006 as one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations for that year. The award recognizes American cities and towns that have preserved their sense of place and character and which provide exciting choices as a visitor destination.
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has over 700 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.6 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2007 and supported nearly 65,000 local jobs. The Spirit of Milwaukee and Potawatomi Bingo Casino are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/.
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