Urban Milwaukee » 735 N. Water Street http://urbanmilwaukee.com Championing Urban Life In The Cream City Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:19:33 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Introducing The City Center at 735 http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2010/12/15/introducing-the-city-center/ http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2010/12/15/introducing-the-city-center/#comments Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:38:34 +0000 Jeramey Jannene http://urbanmilwaukee.com/?p=7688 Gold’s Gym will soon open at 731 N. Water Street, a building that has been empty for 22 years. The gym will occupy five out of eight floors in the building, which was originally built as an annex to the Daniel Burnham designed First Wisconsin National Bank building next door at 735 N. Water Street. As part of the opening of Gold’s Gym, both of the First Wisconsin National Bank buildings will be rebranded as The City Center at 735.

Sheldon Oppermann, of building owner Compass Properties, took us on a tour of the nearly complete facility. Oppermann detailed the creative solutions that were needed to connect the two buildings to act as one, as well as the challenges of dealing with the need for tenant parking at a building that predates the mass proliferation of automobiles. In addition to The City Center at 735′s 300-stall parking garage across Water Street, Compass will lease at least 100 more spaces nearby connected by a valet service operated out of the first floor of The City Center.

As detailed in the photos in the gallery below, Oppermann explained to us how creative solutions were found to link the buildings together as one at the first-floor level to allow the building to have one clear lobby, as well as at the skywalk level that facilitated the opening of retail spaces on the second floor of the building (one of which is very close to being leased).

The floors available above the gym feature a riverview patio space, fireplace, large spiral staircase, and high-ceilings. Compass has originally intended this space to be condos up until 2007. They are currently marketing the space to the Harmony Initiative.

Tenants at The City Center will have a host of amenities at their disposal beyond the gym and valet parking. The building includes indoor bike parking and showers, 24/7 concierge service MyAssist (co-owned by Compass Properties’ owner The Noel Group), a proposed connection to the skywalk system, a connection to the riverwalk, and a restaurant along the riverwalk.

It’s encouraging to see The City Center at 735 take full advantage of the nearly 100-year-old building it occupies. Thanks to the cornice repairs that took place over the past few years, the Burnham-designed building maintains all of it’s historic appeal. And due to the recent investments made by Compass Properties, The City Center maintains all of the amenities and quality of a top-tier office building in Milwaukee.

Future connection between 731 and 735 Lobby at The City Center at 735 Valet Parking Area Windows overlook parking area Overlooking Milwaukee River from restaurant space Overlooking Milwaukee River from restaurant space Future skywalk connection to 100 East and Skywalk system Gold's Gym Desk Riverview patio at The City Center at 735 Riverview patio at The City Center at 735 Riverview patio at The City Center at 735 Riverview patio at The City Center at 735 Future space to be developed Spiral staircase on upper floors Gold's Gym Equipment River facing workout equipment at Gold's Gym Basketball court at The City Center at 735 Workout equipment at The City Center at 735 The pool at The City Center at 735 The pool at The City Center at 735 Yoga room Lobby at The City Center at 735 The City Center at 735 Restaurant space from across the river The City Center at 735 The City Center at 735 Water Street Parking Parage ]]> http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2010/12/15/introducing-the-city-center/feed/ 2 City To Fund Building Redevelopment http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2007/10/03/city-to-fund-building-redevelopment/ http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2007/10/03/city-to-fund-building-redevelopment/#comments Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:44:30 +0000 Jeramey Jannene http://urbanmilwaukee.com/?p=11 In a rare move, the city is going to provide Compass Properties LLC with $3.2 million to repair their two Water Street properties immediately north of the 100 East Wisconsin building. Compass Properties owns 731 N. Water Street, which has been vacant forever, and 735 N. Water Street, both of which were at one point part of First Wisconsin Bank during its heyday. The money will be spent primarily on repairing the adjacent RiverWalk section and the cornice of the 735 building, as Compass works to redevelop the properties.

The move is not without disagreement though, amongst a Common Council and Mayor that have long taken a stance opposed to any city money for private projects.

“We’re setting a very dangerous precedent,” said Ald. Michael Murphy, one of two aldermen who opposed the financing plan.

I know at one time there was talk that the skywalk system would stretch into these buildings with the rennovations and I think that would be a positive for Milwaukee. I’m not sure if that is still part of the plan, but it would be a boost to the system. As I walked through the 100 East Wisconsin portion of the system last weekend I was amazed at how every unit is empty. Any expansion of the system that brings in more foot traffic would be a positive for the other businesses on the system.

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