Property Record
744 N Vel R. Phillips Ave (AKA 744 N 4TH ST (AKA 744 VEL PHILLIPS AVE))
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Commerce Building |
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| Other Name: | Commerce Building |
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| Reference Number: | 109055 |
| Location (Address): | 744 N Vel R. Phillips Ave (AKA 744 N 4TH ST (AKA 744 VEL PHILLIPS AVE)) |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1927 |
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| Additions: | 1956 |
| Survey Date: | 2004201620102019 |
| Historic Use: | large office building |
| Architectural Style: | Twentieth Century Commercial |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Martin Tullgren and Sons |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. Commerce Reality Company was the owners at time of construction . In 1956 the tower was removed. Last surveyed in 1984 with map code of 151/28 on map 392. Known as the Commerce Building, this structure was designed by Martin Tullgren & Sons and built in 1927. It was built with over sixty office/business spaces and during the period prior to 1960 was filled with a constantly rotating assortment of small businesses, professional services, organizational offices and government agencies. Surveyed for Milwaukee Downtown Connector Arch/History Survey, SHPO#10-0983, Prepared by Heritage Research (2010). 2010: This six-story, Neoclassical-style, brick office building features a shaped parapet roof accented with carved stone detailing. A stone belt course separates the first level that features an entrance located at the northwest corner of the building, flanked by modern storefronts on the north and west facades. Windows are typically modern one-over-one, double hung sashes. Brick pilasters separate the top five stories into five bays on the north facade and into six bays on the west facade. In 1956, the first floor's exterior was remodeled to its current Contemporary-style appearance--this included removing a prominent tower from the top of the building. Known as the Commerce Building, this structure was designed by Martin Tullgren & Sons and built in 1927. It was built with over sixty office/business spaces and during the period prior to 1960 was filled with a constantly rotating assortment of small businesses, professional services, organizational offices and government agencies. 2016- "Built in 1927, this six-story office building known as the Commerce Building has a rectangular plan. The first floor houses commercial space and the upper floors serve as office space. The walls are clad in cream brick and a parapet on the primary facades features finials and terra cotta crests at the corners. The primary (north and west) facades consist of modern storefronts that feature plate-glass windows in metal frames. A belt course of plain buff colored terra-cotta tile separates the street level from the upper floors. The upper floors feature brick pilasters that divide groupings of one-over-one, double-hung sash windows." -"USH 18/Wells St: N 6th St to N Broadway", WisDOT#2200-14-00, Prepared by Mead & Hunt, Inc., (2016). 2019 - Resurveyed (streetcar project). Now a Springfield Suites Hotel (Marriott Hotels). Update photo. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Facade Building Permit (323 - 99 W. Wells) Milwaukee City Directory, 1927-1962. City of Milwaukee building permits --744 N. 4th Street (1927, 1956); Milwaukee City Directories, 1929, 1937, 1950, 1962. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |