100 East Wisconsin

100 East Wisconsin
View from the Milwaukee River to the north.
Location within Wisconsin
Former names	Faison Building
General information
Type	Office
Architectural style	Postmodern
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Address	100 East Wisconsin Avenue
Coordinates	43°2′20.47″N 87°54′34.02″W / 43.0390194°N 87.9094500°W
Construction started	1987
Completed	April 1989
Height	549 feet (167 m)
Technical details
Floor count	37
Design and construction
Architecture firm	Clark, Tribble, Harris & Li
References
[1][2]

100 East Wisconsin, or The Faison Building is a skyscraper located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Erected in 1989 on the site of the old Pabst Building, its design is reflective of the authentic German architecture which has been preserved in downtown Milwaukee. It is bordered on the west by the Milwaukee River along the Milwaukee Riverwalk. It is the second tallest building in Wisconsin, behind the U.S. Bank Center, also located in downtown Milwaukee.

History

The location of 100 East Wisconsin at the northwest corner of East Wisconsin avenue and North Water Street has historically been viewed as the oldest building site within the city.^[1] This is the case as it was the location of the Milwaukee's first European settlement by Henry Vieau, the site of city founder Solomon Juneau's original cabin and trading post constructed in 1820 and the site of the 235-foot (72 m), 14-story Pabst Building constructed in 1891 and demolished in 1981.^[1][3]

After failing to develop a high-rise called River Place in the early 1980s, the owners of the property at 100 East Wisconsin sold the property to Charlotte developer Faison Associates in December 1987.^[4][5] Following the purchase, in January 1987 Faison released renderings of the tower designed by the Charlotte architecture firm of Clark, Tribble, Harris & Li.^[1][6] The tower was to rise as the second tallest building in the city, behind the U.S. Bank Center, contain 430,000 square feet (40,000 m²) of office space and 410 parking spaces.^[1]

With plans in place, in March 1987 workers began to deconstruct of the park in place at the location of the tower.^[7] The landscaping removed was relocated to Marquette University and the benches donated to the West End Community Center.^[7] Construction of the concrete framed structure began construction in mid-1987 with occupancy occurring in April 1989.^[8]

Architecture

Designed by Clark, Tribble, Harris & Li, the tower features a rectangular footprint and is topped with a crown that similar to that of the former Pabst Building and the Milwaukee City Hall.^[6] Additionally, the arches at the base were designed also to pay homage to those at the base of the Pabst Building of the Flemish Renaissance style.^[9]

See also

• List of tallest buildings in Milwaukee

References

1. Bauer, Fran (January 21, 1987). "New tower described as landmark". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 1. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
2. "100 East Wisconsin". Emporis.com. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
3. "Pabst Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
4. Collins, Thomas; Alvin L. Curtis (December 11, 1986). "Carleys sell downtown properties". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
5. Bauer, Fran (December 11, 1986). "Developers buy parcel, plan building". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 12B. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
6. Collins, Thomas; Alvin L. Curtis (January 20, 1987). "Plans set for 33-story office tower". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
7. Staff Reporters (March 30, 1987). "Workers prepare park site for building". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 4B. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
8. Krause, Joy (March 23, 1989). "City's new skyscrapers fit in while lifting our sights and our hopes". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 1D. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
9. Bauer, Fran (July 5, 1988). "Tower makes bow to history: Arches on new building recall 1890s predecessor". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 1B. Retrieved December 17, 2010.