Downtown block could be designated historic
George Watts building among those considered
One block on downtown Milwaukee’s east side which features six buildings dating from the 1850s through 1925 could obtain historic protection — affecting future development plans.
Any exterior work to those buildings, ranging from new signs to demolition, would need Historic Preservation Commission approval if city officials designate the block as a historic district.
The district would be on the west side of North Jefferson Street, between
East Mason and East Wells streets. It includes the former George Watts & Son china shop and tea room, a furniture store, spa and night clubs.
That new district proposal needs commission and Common Council approvals. Its initial public hearing is set before the commission on April 6.
The proposal, sponsored by Ald. Robert Bauman, whose district includes downtown, was created to protect the buildings, said Carlen Hatala, a city historic preservation planner.
“There was general concern as more occupants and owners were calling about wanting to insensitively alter their buildings,” Hatala told the Journal Sentinel.
Those calls have occurred over roughly the past two years, she said.
The block was included in the East Side Commercial National Register Historic District that was created in 1986.
But that national register listing doesn’t provide protection against buildings being extensively remodeled or demolished.
City historic designation requires property owners to obtain Historic Preservation Commission approval for exterior changes.
Commission rulings can be appealed to the Common Council.
One such appeal occurred last year, when the council overruled a commission decision to designate the Marcus Performing Arts Center as historic.
That ruling allows the Marcus Center to proceed with removing a grove of trees as part of its larger redevelopment plans. But that work has been on hold pending this month’s arrival of new Chief Executive Officer Kendra Whitlock Ingram.
According to a city report, the six buildings within the proposed Jefferson Street Historic District are:
❚ The former George Watts & Son building, 759 N. Jefferson St. Constructed in 1925, the Italian Renaissance design features two-tone terra cotta. It was sold a year ago to an affiliate of Continuum Architects and Planners, which moved its offices there. The building also houses a Kesslers Diamonds.
❚ A commercial building, 767 N. Jefferson St., that was built before 1860. It now houses Scandinavia Fine Furniture.
❚ A row house, 771-773 N. Jefferson St., that was built before 1860. It now houses Cora Beauty and Spa.
❚ The Matthew Keenan House, 775 N. Jefferson St., an Italian Style double house that was built in 1860. It was sold in December to Gerda Fay Holdings LLC, a Houston-based investment group. It houses The Sofie, a cocktail lounge.
❚ The William A. Webber House, 783785 N. Jefferson St., one of Milwaukee’s last remaining Greek Revival buildings. It was built in 1858, and most recently housed The Phoenix Cocktail Club.
❚ The William A. Webber House No. 2, 789 N. Jefferson St., a twin to the William A. Webber House. It houses Bad Genie, a nightclub.
The proposed district wouldn’t include the last building on the block: Flannery’s Bar and Restaurant, 419-433 E. Wells St.