Gay Building Listed in the National Register of Historic Places

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of the Gay Building in the National Register of Historic Places on May 16, 2025. The building was originally constructed in 1915 in Madison, Dane County.

The Gay Building is located at 14-16 North Carroll Street in Madison, on the northwest side of Capitol Square. It was constructed in 1915 by architects Edward and James Law—who became a prolific architectural firm that still practices in Madison today—for prominent local real estate developer Leonard W. Gay. At nine stories tall, the Gay Building was the first high-rise office building constructed in Madison.

The success of the Gay Building showed that the capital city could support denser development within its commercial core. The building is locally significant in community planning and development for its design influence with the development of downtown Madison in the early 20th century. Its erection was a catalyst for public deliberations on the future of construction in the city center and for legislation to limit the height of buildings in the city in the 1910s and 1920s.

As a result of its completion at the same time as the State Capitol Building was reconstructed, it had a significant impact on the surrounding built environment. City officials, residents and planners were concerned how skyscrapers might affect the visual appearance of the city, especially if it obscured the viewshed of the new dome. In 1922, legislation was passed that restricted the height of buildings around the Capitol Square, and spurred city officials to include similar height limits in Madison’s first zoning ordinance.

Additional information for the Gay Building is available.

Learn more about the State and National Register programs in Wisconsin. 

About the Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.