Astor on the Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Astor on the Lake
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Astor on the Lake
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| Location | 924 E. Juneau Ave Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1920 |
| Architect | Herbert W. Tullgren |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003715 |
| Added to NRHP | September 6, 1984 |
The Astor on the Lake (also known as the Astor Hotel) is a historic building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is located in the Yankee Hill neighborhood, near downtown. This special building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important part of history in the United States.
The Astor Hotel was built in 1920. A famous architect named Herbert Tullgren designed it. He used a style called Classical Revival. This style looks back to ancient Greek and Roman buildings. The building was first shaped like a "U." In 1925, an addition was built. This made the building into the "E" shape you see today. The Astor on the Lake has eight floors. It stands about 102 feet (31 meters) tall.
A Grand Hotel Opens
When the Astor on the Lake first opened, it was considered one of the best hotels in the Midwest. It had 125 guest rooms. People could rent these rooms each month. The cost was between $100 and $300, depending on the room's size.
The outside of the building is covered with gray limestone. It has fancy details that look like French Classical designs. The building was made using strong steel-reinforced concrete. Inside, a beautiful stained glass skylight hangs above the reception area. Many of the rooms were simpler in design. Today, many of these rooms are owned by people who live there.
The 1935 Fire
On February 18, 1935, a fire broke out at the Astor Hotel. It started early in the morning. The fire was caused by electrical wires in the basement. Thick, oily smoke quickly filled the building.
More than 300 people had to leave the building. They were safely evacuated into the city streets. The fire caused a lot of damage. The cost of the damage was estimated at $75,000. This was a very large amount of money at that time.
