City of Milwaukee - File #: 251231

• File #: 251231
• Version: 1
• Type: Resolution
• Status: In Committee
• File created: 11/12/2025
• In control: ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
• Title: Substitute resolution granting permanent historic designation to the Brady and Farwell Historic District on the eastern corner of East Brady Street and North Farwell Avenue, in the 3rd Aldermanic District.
• Sponsors: THE CHAIR

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
1/13/2026	1	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: This file was held at the request of the property owner and rescheduled for the next meeting.	Pass	4:0
12/8/2025	0	HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION AND ASSIGNED; Minutes note: Mr. Andrew Stern said that there are four residential properties included in the designation. By 1894, three of the properties were located there with the corner still being vacant until 1910. The Joseph B. Oliver house was constructed in 1874 and moved to the site in 1892 with Henry C. Koch as the architect in the Italianate style. This is virtually the last remaining framed house in the Italianate style. Mr. Oliver was a meat packer and commodity trader who had a distinguished army career. The house was eventually taken for non-payment and eventually purchased by Mr. Oliver's mother-in-law and the family began to reside there again. This house is one of the few examples of residential construction by Henry C. Koch, who began his career in residential construction then moved to commercial/governmental construction. Justus & Maragaret Vallat Houses - two identical residences were constructed in 1878 in the High Victorian Gothic style. They are pretty unique in being paired examples. One is at 1708 N. Farwell and one at 1714-16 N. Farwell Ave. The architect was James Douglas. Julus Vallat House was constructed in 1897 and is in the Queen Anne style by architect Carl P. Ringer. The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (Schenuit Conservatory of Music) was founded and conducted here for a few years until they outgrew the site. The ground floor is used for commercial enterprises. Staff recommends designation based on f-3, f-5, f-6, and f-9. Mr. Matt Jarosz moved, seconded by Ms. Pieper Eisebrown, to open the public hearing. There were no objections. Rose Mary Muller - 1707 N. Prospect - she wants a copy of the presentation Carl Bahneman - Milwaukee Preservation Alliance - supports the designation Scott Lurie - F Street Group - owner of the four properties - he views this designation as slander of title and bought these properties as a great investment. There are no plans to knock these buildings down. He thinks the designation is personally targeting him; he's not a developer, but a real estate investor. These properties have been here for hundreds of years and he feels this harms him personally. Mr. Matt Jarosz moved, seconded by Ms. Sally Peltz, to close the public hearing. There were no objections. Ms. Patricia Keating Kahn moved, seconded by Ms. Sally Peltz, for designation.	Pass	7:0
11/12/2025	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

251231

Version

SUBSTITUTE 1

Reference

Sponsor

THE CHAIR

Title

Substitute resolution granting permanent historic designation to the Brady and Farwell Historic District on the eastern corner of East Brady Street and North Farwell Avenue, in the 3rd Aldermanic District.

Analysis

This resolution grants permanent historic designation to the Brady and Farwell Historic District on the eastern corner of East Brady Street and North Farwell Avenue, in the 3rd Aldermanic District.

...Body

Whereas, The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Ordinance, s. 320-21 of the Code of Ordinances, provides that historic sites, structures and districts may be designated by the Common Council upon the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission; and

Whereas, The Historic Preservation Commission, at its December 8^th, 2025 meeting, by unanimous vote, recommended historic designation of the Brady and Farwell Historic District on the eastern corner of East Brady Street and North Farwell Avenue; and

Whereas, This district fulfills the following criterion set forth in s. 320-21-3:

f-3.  Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the city.

f-5.  Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen.

f-6.  Its identification as the work of an artist, architect, craftsman or master builder whose individual works have influenced the development of the city.

f-9.  Its unique location as a singular physical characteristic which represents an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the city.

; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Brady and Farwell Historic District on the eastern corner of East Brady Street and North Farwell Avenue, further described as:

CAMBRIDGE SUBD PART LOT 6 SEC 21 & LOTS 15-16 BLK 198 ROGERS' ADDN IN NE & SE 1/4 SEC 21-7-22 BLOCK 239 NW 95-1/3' (LOT 11 & SW 4' LOT 12) BID #11

CAMBRIDGE SUBD PART LOT 6 SEC 21 & LOTS 15-16 BLK 198 ROGERS' ADDN IN NE & SE 1/4 SEC 21-7-22 BLOCK 239 NW 95-1/3'(NE 36'LOT 12 & SW 1'LOT 13) BID #11

CAMBRIDGE SUBD PART LOT 6 SEC 21 & LOTS 15-16 BLK 198 ROGERS' ADDN IN NE & SE 1/4 SEC 21-7-22 BLOCK 239 NW 95-1/3' OF NE 39' LOT 13 BID #11

CAMBRIDGE SUBD PART LOT 6 SEC 21 & LOTS 15-16 BLK 198 ROGERS' ADDN IN NE & SE 1/4 SEC 21-7-22 BLOCK 239 SE 47-2/3' LOTS (11-12 & 13)

be designated as a Milwaukee historic district. The Preservation Guidelines pursuant to the Historic Designation Study Report, a copy of which is attached to this file, shall apply to this site and is adopted by the Common Council as part of this file.

Requestor

Drafter

Carmen Roman 12/11/2025