With 2020 Democratic National Congress on the Way, Downtown Milwaukee Revitalizes

Downtown Milwaukee is getting makeover, from high-profile new buildings on the skyline to ambitious adaptive reuse projects and an emerging entertainment district.

1 minute read

July 14, 2019, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

Downtown Milwaukee, pictured on July 11, 2019. | Tony Savino / Shutterstock

"Milwaukee, like other formerly industrial midwestern cities, has seen a resurgence lately, amid its redeveloped warehouse districts and overlooked office buildings," writes Patrick Sisson.

"Development has emanated from its riverfront, a former shipping lane for beer breweries that’s now firmly entrenched as an entertainment destination."

The article surveys Downtown Milwaukee for stories about the new developments driving the resurgence, featuring insights from the developers pursuing their visions for the area.

The article also includes a section on two of the highest profile projects to open in Downtown Milwaukee in recent years:

The two biggest projects—the new $524 million Fiserv Forum, a multipurpose arena for the Milwaukee Bucks and other concert and sporting events, that opened last year, and the sail-like Northwestern Mutual Tower, a 32-story high-rise that opened its doors in 2017—form a pathway of sorts for recent development, pointing west from the shiny tower on the lakefront over the Milwaukee River and into Westown.

FULL STORY: Milwaukee’s downtown surges in advance of 2020 convention

Tuesday, July 2, 2019 in Curbed

Urban Development Wisconsin Milwaukee downtown revitalization Midwestern Cities Downtowns View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.