Doors Open Milwaukee is a two-day public celebration of Milwaukee’s art, architecture, culture, and history. Held on September 28 – 29, 2019, over 170 sites throughout Milwaukee including skyscrapers, art galleries, community gardens, theaters, and more will be open to the public for tours. The Doors Open Milwaukee event also includes music, food vendors, and family-friendly tour spots.
A number of HGA projects will be open for tours including:
Originally built in 1952 as a manufacturing building for J.C. Busch Co., 88Nine Radio Milwaukee (88.9fm) made the building their new home in 2013. Visitors will be treated to a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the building’s 2,500 square foot green roof, an array of recording studios, a 100-seat performance space where national and Milwaukee bands regularly perform, and much more.
DoMUS Apartments
James Shields, lead architect at HGA Architects and Engineers, described the architectural style as “a contemporary version of the 100-year-old infill frame style” The front walk-way to DoMUS features glass etched paneling lining the sidewalk with historical images and descriptions about the location, the trestles, and the riverway itself. Open for a self-guided tour of a model apartment home, clubroom space, and Riverwalk.
Milwaukee Ballet
Milwaukee Ballet opens its doors to its brand-new home in the Third Ward, the Baumgartner Center for Dance. Be among the first guests to see this new 52,000-foot, state-of-the-art facility for the organization’s professional dancers, School & Academy classes, and Community Engagement Programs. Hear from Milwaukee Ballet artists as you tour the costume shop, rehearsal studios, performance studio, and its space dedicated to the community. Tours leave from the main entrance on the hour from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Milwaukee Community Sailing Center
Celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year, visitors will be able to see informational posters and videos that show the history, including member narratives and historical photos.The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center (MCSC) campus is located near McKinley Marina. Sailing is inherently sustainable, using only the wind for power. The building follows the same edict and uses what nature provides — including a geothermal system in 14 loops that are 300 feet deep, ceiling beams mimic a boat hull, wood surfaces use sustainably harvested garapa hardwood, the curved roof captures runoff into a rain garden, and lighting is tied to motion sensors.
Milwaukee Public Library – Mitchell Street Branch
The five-story Hills building, 906-910 W. Mitchell St., was constructed in 1919 and was, for years, a neighborhood anchor. Throughout its history, the building housed a number of department stores that became a center of commerce for a then bustling Mitchell Street. In later years, the building housed a number of organizations that ranged from a hardware store, wedding and banquet services, and a venue for punk rock music. Visitors will be able to see the historic restoration and redevelopment of the five story Hill’s Building, which is now home to the library and apartment units above. Visitors will be shown a behind the scenes look at the work area where they can view how material is checked in and sorted by a state of the art sorting machine. Visitors will also see Studio M, the library’s maker space in the lower level.
Sherman Phoenix
The Sherman Phoenix is a model for healing the city by generating positive economic and social returns in communities of color. Responding to civil unrest in the Sherman Park neighborhood in 2016, this former burned bank building has been transformed to demonstrate how the community can invest in inclusive pathways to economic opportunity for our neighborhoods to help all families thrive. The Sherman Phoenix highlights many of the building unique, historic features while offering high-quality space for small businesses-of-color offering diverse foods, wellness services, and cultural activities. It also includes much-needed community spaces to curate art exhibits, film showings, and cultural events. Self-guided tours throughout the building showcase the 29 building tenants who will be open for business selling their food and wares.
Find our more about Doors Open Milwaukee here. See a gallery of project images below.
