Milwaukee has no shortage of historic buildings, but few come with a story like the Uplifting Mansion. Built in 1899, the mansion was designed as a place for gathering, celebration and connection. For more than a century, it stood as a beautiful backdrop for community moments. But when owner Deanna Singh and her husband, Justin, began the process of buying the property, they noticed something that changed how they saw the space. The mansion’s Grand Ballroom could only be reached by climbing a set of stairs. In their minds, that meant the building, despite its history and charm, was not finished. 
 

Before they closed on the property, Singh and her husband began working with an architect to explore how the mansion could be made accessible to all guests. While the building wasn't required to add an accessible entrance, the decision to do so became central to what the Uplifting Mansion represents. The project required an investment of more than $120,000 and months of coordination with city and county agencies, architects, builders and neighborhood partners, all while the mansion continued to host events and grow as a business. It was not an easy process, but it was intentional, rooted in values rather than obligation.

 

A bright ceremony setup in an event room with white chair covers, hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, large windows, and a circular floral arch with greenery and white fabric at the front.

 

That intention is reflected in the name itself. The Uplifting Mansion was created to uplift in every sense of the word, and accessibility was essential to that mission. The idea of welcoming guests into a space only to turn them away because of a physical barrier ran counter to everything the venue was meant to be. While the work tested patience and persistence, the goal never shifted. Accessibility was not an add-on; it was part of finishing the building in the way it should have been finished all along.

 

A strong network of community support made this project possible. Kahler Slater Architects helped shape a design that respected the mansion’s historic character while creating a functional and welcoming entrance. JCP Construction brought those plans to life with careful craftsmanship and an understanding that the project represented a long-term investment in people and place. Legacy Redevelopment Corporation supported the effort through financing and strategy, while Near West Side Partners helped reinforce the mansion’s role as a neighborhood gathering space. Guidance from the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County helped move the project forward, and a gift from the Legacy Foundation aided the project's final stages.

 

A banquet-style event room with hardwood floors, round tables with white linens, white chair covers, crystal chandeliers, tall windows, a brick fireplace, and a large wall-mounted TV.

 

The impact of that effort was felt immediately. On the same day construction wrapped up, the Uplifting Mansion welcomed Pink Umbrella Theatre Company through its new accessible entrance. The Milwaukee-based professional theater company, which centers on disabled actors and artists, brought its production of "A Christmas Carol" to the mansion for a sold-out weekend. Just hours after the concrete was laid, the ballroom was filled with performers and audience members who may not have been able to share that experience in the space before. The moment underscored what intentional accessibility can make possible when barriers are removed.

 

Today, the Uplifting Mansion is ready for what comes next. Weddings, family gatherings, graduations, performances and neighborhood events can now take place in a space designed with access in mind from the moment you arrive. The new entrance reflects a belief that gathering spaces should welcome everyone, with no barriers at the door. After 127 years, the Uplifting Mansion stands complete, shaped not by time, but by intention.