Downtown Building Being Demolished

A 1,976-square-foot building will soon meet its demise in Westown.

Athina Properties, the owner of the two-story structure at 324-326 W. State St., applied to demolish the building.

City records indicate the structure was originally built in 1885, but it’s been heavily altered since. For decades it was home to Accurate Key and Lock on the ground level, and an apartment on the second floor.

The Tase family, which owns Athina Properties, acquired the building in 2015 for $165,000. It has been vacant since December 2015.

In March 2017, Athina unveiled a plan to convert the entire building into a tavern with designs from Tredo Group. Aldo Tase said he hoped to move forward on the project in the next couple of months. Come December, Tase said the focus had changed from rehabilitation to developing a new structure. He said his family was watching what was happening with the surrounding Deer District development.

Since then the Bradley Center, located a half-block west of the building, has been demolished and Fiserv Forum has opened to the north. Upper 90 Sports Pub is gone from the adjacent building at 322 W. State St., replaced by Point Burger Express. Across W. State St., J. Jeffers & Co. is proceeding with a plan to redevelop the Journal Sentinel complex.

Tase told Urban Milwaukee Wednesday that his family has no immediate plans for the property beyond clearing the site. The building is not historically designated.

The Department of Neighborhood Services, stemming from a December 2019 neighbor complaint, levied 21 code violations against the property. Most focus on the condition of the siding, mortar and rear porch.

According to the raze permit application, Great Lakes Excavating will demolish the structure for $10,800.

An 1894 Sanborn fire insurance map says the building was used for “painting,” while the 1910 map doesn’t offer a specific use.

Athina also owns the building at 2895-2899 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. that will soon house Ventura’s Tacos.

Photos

2017 Renderings