The Pabst Building was a 14-story

neo-gothic Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic or neo-Gothic) is an architectural movement that after a gradual build-up beginning in the second half of the 17th century became a widespread movement in the first half of the 19th century ...

high-rise building in

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...

. Built in 1891, it was Milwaukee's first skyscraper, and was the tallest building in Milwaukee until the

Milwaukee City Hall The Milwaukee City Hall is a skyscraper and town hall located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It was finished in 1895, and was Milwaukee's tallest building until completion of the U.S. Bank Center (Milwaukee), First Wisconsin ...

was finished four years later. The Pabst Building was demolished in 1981 and the 100 East Wisconsin Building now occupies its site. Having stood at tall, the Pabst Building is the 2nd tallest building ever demolished in Wisconsin.

History and description

Pabst Building Milwaukee from LOC ID Service-pnp-det-4a00000-4a08000-4a08000-4a08079v

The property at the northwest corner of Water and Wisconsin Street was a prime central location of historic significance.

Solomon Juneau Burials at Calvary Cemetery (Milwaukee) Solomon Laurent Juneau, or Laurent-Salomon Juneau (August 9, 1793 – November 14, 1856) was a French Canadian fur trader, land speculator, and politician who helped found the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ...

's original cabin and trading post had stood at this spot on the Milwaukee River, considered the "starting point" of the city. In 1851 the Ludington Block building was built here. Around 1890 the property was purchased by brewer Frederick Pabst, who demolished the Ludington building and hired architect Solon Spencer Beman to design his headquarters, a magnificent symbol of his brewery empire, in its place. The Pabst Building measured fourteen stories, about 235 feet tall from the sidewalk to the top of the copper tower. It was constructed of brown brick ornamented with terra cotta with a magnificent granite arch at its entrance. The main tower was topped with copper, featuring four large clock faces. The style has been described as "a masterpiece of Romanesque Revival" and as a "neo-gothic high-rise, with Flemish detailing." It quickly became an iconic building of Milwaukee and a popular subject for postcards. The Pabst was Milwaukee's first skyscraper, and held the title of tallest building in Milwaukee for four years, until the

was completed. The Pabst building saw many alterations to its roofline over the years. In the late 1940s the copper towers were removed due to deterioration and the rooflines were squared off. In 1981 it was demolished to make way for 100 East Wisconsin. The crown of the new building was inspired by the Pabst Building's design.

References

{{s-end Buildings and structures demolished in 1981 Former skyscrapers Demolished buildings and structures in Wisconsin Gothic Revival architecture in Wisconsin Gothic Revival skyscrapers Office buildings completed in 1891 Skyscraper office buildings in Milwaukee 1891 establishments in Wisconsin 1981 disestablishments in Wisconsin