Restoration and Conservation

Preserving the essence of Milwaukee

Milwaukee is currently home to more than 160 cultural resources or properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The city has developed expertise in restoring original buildings, giving them new life and purpose, in order to preserve this important element in the unique character of Milwaukee.

**Brewhouse Inn**
Restored Pabst Building

**Iron Horse Hotel**
Warehouse Turned Luxury Hotel

**Grain Exchange**
In the Mackie Building

While Milwaukee celebrates its sweeping modern architecture of recent years – the magnificent Milwaukee Art Museum with its soaring “wings,” the glass façade of the 32-story Northwestern Mutual tower, and the curved modern design of the new Fiserv Forum – we are also renowned for our commitment to preserving and repurposing vintage architecture.

By mixing modern design with vintage architectural elements (like exposed Cream City brick), our buildings have the type of character that is only found in Milwaukee.

Recent Repurposed Historic Properties

Brewhouse Inn & Suites

Milwaukee’s celebrated beer heritage is reflected in this conversion of two former Pabst Brewery complex buildings in downtown Milwaukee. The interior design incorporates many original elements of the building including a large stained glass window featuring a picture of the legendary patron saint of beer, King Gambrinus, original copper brewing kettles, winding staircases and a large skylight in the mezzanine area.

The Iron Horse Hotel

Opened in 2008, The Iron Horse Hotel is the transformation of a 100-year-old downtown warehouse into a modern luxury boutique hotel geared toward business travelers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike.

Homewood Suites

Opened in late 2017, the $17 million adaptive reuse of the seven-story historic Button Block Building features 94 extended-stay hotel rooms.

Mackie Building

A recently completed $12.4 million historic restoration converted former office space in the 137-year-old Mackie Building into 25 luxury apartments, while maintaining the Grain Exchange event space and ground floor retail.

Current Restoration Projects

Germania Building

A $22 million conversion will turn this building into multi-family housing for mixed incomes in the blossoming Westown neighborhood.

Wisconsin Avenue School

The owner of Milwaukee's Ambassador Hotel, Rick Wiegand, plans to undertake a $15 million project to convert a vacant Milwaukee Public School building into an extended stay hotel featuring an outdoor beer garden.