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List of tallest buildings in Milwaukee facts for kids

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The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is home to 118 high-rise buildings or skyscrapers, 53 of which stand at 200 ft (61 m) or taller. The majority of the city's tallest buildings are located north of the Interstate 794, south of Juneau Avenue, east of Interstate 43, and west of Lincoln Memorial Drive. There are additional high-rises extending northward along Lake Michigan. The tallest building in Milwaukee, and Wisconsin, is the 42-story, 601 ft (183 m) tall U.S. Bank Center, which was completed in 1973. The second-tallest is the 32-story, 550 ft (170 m) tall Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons building, completed in 2017.

The history of skyscrapers in Milwaukee began with the Pabst Building. Completed in 1891, and standing 235 ft (72 m) tall, it was Milwaukee's first skyscraper, and the tallest building in the city until the Milwaukee City Hall was completed four years later. The Pabst Building was demolished in 1981. For nearly eighty years, from 1895 to 1973, City Hall dominated the skyline, and was at the time of its completion, the tallest habitable building in the United States. A significant building boom occurred in the 1960s, resulting in eleven of the top sixteen tallest buildings of the time having been built in that decade, and then between 1985 and 1991, six of the eight tallest buildings of the time were constructed. But a third significant building boom in the twenty-first century includes the construction of the Moderne, a skyscraper with luxury condominiums, the 833 East Michigan office building, the Potawatomi Casino Hotel, the Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons, the 25-story, 335 ft tall BMO Harris Financial Center, and the 34-story, 387 ft tall 7Seventy7 Residential tower, all built since 2012. Future under-construction or approved skyscrapers include the 44-story, 537 ft tall Couture, a mixed-use tower with high-end residential apartments and retail space, the mass timber Ascent MKE, and the resurrected 27-story, 301 ft tall Goll Mansion Apartment Tower, resulting in ten of the sixteen tallest buildings in the city having been constructed since 2005. Another six high-rises have been proposed since the beginning of 2017.

Tallest buildings

This list ranks the fifty tallest Milwaukee skyscrapers based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. The "Year" column indicates the year of completion.

Rank Name Image Height
ft / m
Floors Year Notes Reference
1 U.S. Bank Center US Bank Center (cropped).jpg 601 / 183.0 42 1973 Tallest building in the state; previously called the First Wisconsin Center (1973–92) and the Firstar Center (1992–2002). The building won a Distinguished Building Award from the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1974.
2 Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Northwestern Mutual New Picture 2018.jpg 550 / 167.6 32 2017 Largest building in Wisconsin by square footage, and the second-tallest in the state. The tower was completed in August 2017.
3 100 East Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin 0049.jpg 549 / 167.3 37 1989 Designed as a postmodern version of old German vernacular architecture and built on the site of the former 14-story Pabst skyscraper, this was the second tallest building in the state for 28 years.
4 University Club Tower University Club Tower, Milwaukee from the southeast.jpg 446 / 135.9 36 2007 Tallest building constructed in the 21st century, until the Northwestern Mutual Tower.
5 Associated Bank River Center Associated Bank River Center aka Milwaukee Center.jpg 426 / 129.8 28 1988 Second-tallest building in Milwaukee at the time it was completed. In 2016 Associated Bank, (largest Wisconsin based bank) Purchased the building for 60.5 million dollars.
6 411 East Wisconsin Center 411 East Wisconsin.jpg 408 / 124.4 30 1985 Constructed with 1,200 eight-ton, pre-cast concrete panels in a modern architectural style. Riverview Realty Partners purchased the building in 2014. The new owners have tried to make this a Green Building. The building boasts a 5-story high lobby.
7 Northwestern Mutual North Tower Northwestern Mutual Tower cropped, Milwaukee.jpg 395 / 120.4 19 1990 The light blue pyramid at the top is lit at night.
8 7Seventy7 7Seventy7 Building 387/118 34 2018 The residential tower includes 310 apartments, parking, retail, and a public plaza.
9 Kilbourn Tower Kilbourn Tower Milwaukee.jpg 380 / 115.8 34 2005 Luxury condominiums in Milwaukee. Example: In 2018 the entire 31st floor is a condominium which was priced at 1.8 million.
10 Milwaukee City Hall City hall Milwaukee 200 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 353 / 107.6 15 1895 Tallest habitable building in the world for more than four years after completion (1895–99); tallest building in Milwaukee for nearly 80 years.

Was the tallest building in Milwaukee before being surpassed by U.S. Bank Center.

11 The Moderne The Moderne Milwaukee.jpg 348 / 106.1 31 2012 Tallest building in Wisconsin west of the Milwaukee River.
12 BMO Harris Financial Center New BMO Tower 790 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 335/102 25 2020 The bank's new 360,000-square-foot, 25-story office tower was turned over to occupants in April 2020. Demolition began in November 2017 on the parking garage next to BMO Harris's current location at 770 N. Water St.
13 American Family Field Millerpark00.jpg 330 / 100.548 4 2001 Tallest Stadium in the MLB and Wisconsin.
14 The Potawatomi Casino Hotel Potawatomi Hotel Milwaukee September 2015.jpg 307 / 93.6 21 2014 With the 2019 expansion of a second tower, the hotel reached 500 rooms.
15 1000 North Water Street 1000 north water street.jpg 296 / 90.2 16 1991 The light pink facade and windows give it a unique appearance in Milwaukee's skyline. The building also in home to the Milwaukee field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
16 Yankee Hill Apartments 1 Yankee Hill 5809.jpg 292.91 / 89.28 23 1987 High end residential rental units in downtown Milwaukee.
17 Chase Tower Chase Tower Milwaukee.jpg 288 / 87.8 22 1961 Second-tallest building in Milwaukee at the time it was completed. Once the site of Marine Bank, it was known as Bank One Plaza before Bank One's merger with Chase. Contains 480,000 square feet of Class A office space and houses Milwaukee Public Radio.
18 Allen-Bradley Clock Tower Allen Bradley Clocktower 8208.jpg 283 / 86.3 17 1962 The world's second-largest four-sided clock sits atop this tower.
19 Wisconsin Tower Wisconsin Tower Milwaukee.jpg 280 / 85.3 22 1930 Second-tallest building in Milwaukee at the time of its completion in 1930. The 22 story Art-Deco tower was converted into 74 condominiums in 2006.
20 St. Johns on the lake - North Tower 280 / 85.3 22 2020 The new building was opened in March 2020 and includes 79 independent living units, 16 catered living units, a lecture hall/performance space and two levels of below-grade parking.
21 BMO Harris Bank Building Marshall & Ilsley Bank Building.jpg 277 / 84.4 21 1969 Former headquarters of M&I Bank, the largest bank based in Wisconsin.
22 Bay View Terrace BayView Terrace from the east.jpg 275 / 83.8 25 1964 Tallest building on Milwaukee's south side. The north and south facades have no windows, save for the balcony doors.
23 Hilton Milwaukee City Center Hilton Milwaukee City Center, antenna.jpg 274 / 83.5 25 1927 The antenna on top makes the total height of the building 630 feet (192m), and this hotel is the largest in Milwaukee when measured by the number of rooms (729).
24 Diamond Tower Diamond Tower, Milwaukee.jpg 267.44 / 81.5 21 1982 Contains 113 condos.
25 St. Johns on the Lake - South Tower Saint Johns on the lake 1840 N Prospect Ave Milwaukee WI 53202 267.44 / 81.5 21 2011
26 Regency House Regency House Milwaukee.jpg 265 / 80.8 27 1969 High Rise in "East Town" neighborhood. In 1974 the apartments were sold as condominiums.
27 Juneau Village Milwaukee Wisconsin 6727.jpg 264 / 80.5 27 1965 The building is owned by Lore Hauck. Rent starts at $600 for a one bedroom.
28 The BreakWater The BreakWater 2.jpg 260 / 79.2 21 2009
29 833 East Michigan 833 East Michigan from the southeast.jpg 258 / 78.7 17 2016
30 633 Building The 633 Building.jpg 252 / 76.8 20 1962 In 2017 a real estate developer (J. Jeffers & Co.) purchased the building.
31 Wisconsin Gas Building Wisconsin Gas Building from the west.jpg 250 / 76.2 20 1930 The light on top turns either red, blue, or gold depending on the weather forecast for the following day.
32 The Pfister Hotel The Pfister Hotel Tower cropped.jpg 250 / 76.2 21 1965 Hotel dates back to the late 19th century. Visitors have claimed it is haunted. The tower was added to the hotel in 1965.
33 Basilica of St. Josaphat Basilica of St. Josaphat.jpg 250 / 76.2 1 1897 The Basilica of St. Josaphat is the tallest church in Milwaukee. The dome on this church is the world's sixth largest.
34 Locust Court Apartments Locust Court Apartments.jpg 250 / 76.2 24 1969 In 2019 the Milwaukee Housing Authority is considering tearing the building down to make way for a mixed income development.
35 Arlington Court Apartments Arlington Court Apartments.jpg 250 / 76.2 24 1969 This high rise is managed by the Milwaukee Housing Authority (230 one bedroom apartments). In order to live in this building a tenant must be 50 years old or older, or be an adult with a Disability.
36 Landmark on the Lake Landmark on the Lake, Milwaukee.jpg 248 / 75.6 27 1991 The building is 248 feet tall from the Prospect Avenue entrance; the building is 350 feet tall at the rear. There are 275 condominium units in the 27 floor high rise.
37 Cathedral Place Cathedral Place.jpg 244 / 74.4 19 2004 A mixed-use tower where the 27 residential units are on the lower floors, and the 200,000 square feet of office space is on the upper floors. The building won a Distinguished Building Award from the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 2005.
38 UW-Milwaukee's Sandburg Residence Hall, North Tower Sandburg Hall North Tower at dusk.jpg 243 / 74.1 27 1971 The North Tower's height reaches 482 feet (147 m) with the antenna.
39 Riverview Apartments Riverview Apartments 1300 E Kane Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202 242/ 73.8 (Est.) 19 1964 This building is owned and managed by The Milwaukee Public Housing Authority. It is considered low income housing, and rent can be as low as $50.
40 Yankee Hill Apartments 2 Yankee Hill 5809.jpg 242 / 73.8 23 1987
41 The Potawatomi Casino Hotel Tower II Potawatomi Hotel Milwaukee September 2015.jpg 242 / 73.8 19 2019 Addition of 119 rooms and suites to bring the hotel total to 500 rooms.
42 Hyatt Regency Hyatt Milwaukee (cropped).jpg 229.24 / 69.87 18 1980
43 250 Plaza 250 Plazza 250 E WISCONSIN AVE Milwaukee WI 53202 229.24 / 69.87 18 1973 Klug & Smith Co designed the 14 story office building on the site. The 19-story Contemporary-style tower was designed by Perkins & Will
44 Straz Tower Stratz building 915 W Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee WI 53233 229.24 / 69.87 18 1954 Formerly the YMCA Building. This building is on the Marquette University Campus.
45 Cudahy Tower Cudahy Tower and University Club Tower in fog.jpg 224/ 68 16 1928
46 Park Lafayette North Tower Park Lafayette North Tower 1918 E Lafayette Place Milwaukee WI 53202 221/ 67.3 20 2009
47 Park Lafayette South Tower Park Lafayette South Tower 1918 E Lafayette Place Milwaukee WI 53202 221/ 67.3 20 2009
48 Catholic Financial Life Building Milwaukee Catholic Financial Life Building.jpg 220/ 67.1 18 1970
49 Prospect Tower Prospect Tower 1626 N Prospect Ave Milwaukee WI 53202 217/ 66.1 23 1964
50 City Center at 735 City Center 735 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 216/ 65.8 16 1914
51 AT&T Building
AT&T Building.jpg
213 / 64.9 19 1924
52 Wells Building Wells Building 324 E Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee WI 53202 212/ 64.6 15 1901
53 310W (formerly Reuss Federal Plaza) 310W, aka Reuss Federal Plaza 310 W Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee WI 53203 210/ 64.0 14 1983
54 Edgewater Terrace Edgewater Terrace 1707 N Prospect Ave Milwaukee WI 53202 203.76/ 62.1 17 1967 There are 74 residential condominiums in the tower— 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units.

Tallest under construction, approved, and proposed

This lists buildings that are under construction, approved, or proposed in Milwaukee.

Name Image Height
feet / m
Floors Year Status Notes Reference
Ascent MKE 284/87 25 2021 Under Construction The 25-story, 493,000 sq. ft. structure will be built of timber, instead of concrete and steel, housing 259 luxury apartments. It broke ground during the fall of 2020. Will be the world's tallest timber structure upon completion.
The Couture WiaPsFWyS0WjoB7mXvmQEA.jpg 537/163 44 2023 Approved First proposed in 2012, it will house 302 luxury apartments, and will be the fourth-tallest building in the state. Demolition was completed in February 2017, but obtaining a financing guarantee delayed construction. A preliminary approval of the financing guarantee by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development was announced on November 2018, and the developer announced equity funding had been secured in June 2020. The developer resubmitted the project for HUD guarantee at that time, and received approval in November of 2020. Construction is expected to start in early 2021.
Masonic Center Hotel 234/71 18 2021 Approved The existing 128-year-old Masonic Center will be renovated, and a 14-story tower will be built above it, at a cost of $60 million. In December 2018 developers announced a delay due to Updated timeline has the project starting in June 2019 and completing by early 2021. As of May 2020, no construction has occurred, and no update has been offered.
Goll Mansion Apartment Tower 301/91.74 27 2020 Approved A proposal to move the Goll Mansion closer to Prospect Avenue was approved by the Common Council in September 2017, allowing the tower to be constructed in the Mansion's current location.
Portfolio Unknown 20 2020 Proposed A proposed 20-story, $100 million apartment tower is to include 176 apartments. It was scheduled to break ground during the 3rd quarter of 2019, but no updates have been announced regarding construction.
1433 N Water Street 240+/73+ 24 Unknown Proposed The Redevelopment Authority board's approval in May 2017 to waive the Park East redevelopment plan's height limitation of 12 stories for the N. Water St. site is the last announced development for the project.
Edison Place 240/73.2 20 Unknown Proposed Mix-used building which would include possible move-in of the Marcus Corp headquarters, was set for construction in fall 2017 if tenants and financing could have been arranged, but no new announcements have been made since Marcus did soil testing in 2018.
Third Ward High Rise Unknown 20-30 Unknown Proposed The ultimate function of the building will serve as a hotel or apartments, but nothing has been announced regarding the project since February 2017.
The Caroline 390' 32 2022 Proposed Announced in April 2019. Proposed 350 mixed-income units and 40,000 square feet of office space. Developed by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee. Target start of 2020 with two years to completion.

Timeline of tallest buildings

Name Image Height
feet / m
Floors Year Status Notes Reference
Pabst Building Pabst Building Wisconsin Ave. pre-1908 B&W 720full.jpg 235 / 71.6 14 1891 Demolished The Pabst Building was 14 stories, tall constructed in a neo-gothic style. Great detailing and a granite arch at the entrance. This building was Milwaukee's first skyscraper: at the time the Pabst was the tallest building in Milwaukee. The building was demolished in 1981, 100 East Wisconsin was constructed on this site eight years later.
Milwaukee City Hall Milwaukee City Hall, Wisconsin.jpg 353 / 107.6 15 1895 Completed Dominated the Milwaukee skyline for nearly eighty years and was the tallest habitable building in the world at completion. Will drop out of the top ten tallest buildings in Milwaukee once the Couture is completed.
U.S. Bank Center US Bank Center.jpg 601 / 183.2 42 1973 Completed Tallest building in Wisconsin since its completion. An square block was cleared to make way for The First Wisconsin building.

Tallest demolished

This table lists buildings in Milwaukee that were demolished and at one time stood at least 200 feet (61 m) in height.

Name Image Height

ft (m)

Floors Completed

in

Destroyed

in

Notes
Northwestern Mutual Place
Northwestern Mutual East Tower, Milwaukee
283 (86.3) 16 1979 2014 Demolished and replaced with the Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons
Pabst Building Pabst Building Wisconsin Ave. pre-1908 B&W 720full.jpg 235 (72) 14 1891 1981
Lake Front Depot Lake Front Depot 1898 LOC ds.00203.jpg 234 (71) 1889 1968
General
Specific

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Edificios más altos de Milwaukee para niños

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