UWM selling Alumni House mansion on Lake Michigan
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s historic Alumni House could be converted into a new use by a private developer.
The cash-strapped UW System is seeking proposals to either buy or lease the three-story, 25,553-square-foot building, 3230 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Alumni House is known for its Tudor Revival architectural style, and its location just north of Lake Park and Lincoln Memorial Drive.
The 14-bedroom mansion and its 9.3acre lot are together valued at $1.93 million, according to city assessment records.
The mansion was built in 1920 as the Myron T. MacLaren House, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. Its lot includes 175 feet of frontage on Lake Michigan, according to UW System.
In 1949, the property was purchased by Milwaukee Teachers College, the forerunner to UWM.
It was used as a women’s dormitory until 1964, when it was converted to Alumni House.
It provided offices for the university’s alumni association before those moved to the nearby Edith S. Hefter Conference Center, 3271 N. Lake Drive.
The building now houses UWM’s Innovative Weather meteorology program and the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management.
UWM is seeking a buyer or tenant for the property because it’s underused, said Melissa Spadanuda, UWM associate vice chancellor for facilities, planning and management.
Also, the building needs major renovations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act’s design standards, she said.
Those costly upgrades would be difficult to afford at a time when UWM is facing huge financial challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic, Spadanuda said.
The property is zoned for residential use. Any proposed commercial use would need Common Council zoning approval.
Also, the building is designated as historic by the city, so any exterior changes would require approval from the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission.
Proposals will be accepted through Aug. 5.