Uniquely Milwaukee

See this 'landmark' Third Ward building come to life

By Nate Imig

Published November 10, 2020 at 3:43 PM CST

When you get so used to seeing certain buildings in your city, passing by them often, it's hard to imagine the streets without them.

But thanks to a collection of photos from the Dahlman Construction, we're able to see the Landmark Building in the Third Ward being built, taking shape almost like a collection of animation cels.

Before: Beginning stages of construction July 7, 1914. Photo courtesy of Dahlman Construction and via OnMilwaukee.

Most recently home to Fauntleroy restaurant, and before that, Coquette Cafe, 1914 Landmark Building sits at 316 N. Milwaukee St. Holey Moley Doughnuts & Coffee is also in the building, though it is currently closed due to Covid-19.

In this week's Urban Spelunking podcast, OnMilwaukee's Bobby Tanzilo and I talk about the Landmark Building's history and the variety of tenants it has housed over its long life. Plus we uncover a connection to Milwaukee's last surviving Civil War veteran and we learn more about the Third Ward's evolution.

A little over three months later, the building is nearing completion on this photo dated Sept. 25, 1914. Photo courtesy of Dahlman Construction and via OnMilwaukee.

The completed Landmark, undated, but presembed to taken in 1915. Photo courtesy of Dahlman Construction and via OnMilwaukee.

Listen to the podcast below, and visit OnMilwaukee for more photos from the collection.

If you'd like to see other "flip book" style construction photos -- they're pretty cool, after all -- check out these Spelunking episodes on the Telenews Theater and Hotel Metro buildings.