The Saint James Court Apartments is an example of early 20th century luxury urban apartment living. Though designed in 1895 by Alfred C. Clas, of the Milwaukee architectural firm Ferry and Clas, it was not built until 1903 after Mr. Clas purchased a parcel of land from the adjacent St. James Episcopal Church. Louis Clas, a builder and the architect's brother, constructed the masonry six-story building, located on Grand Avenue (now known as Wisconsin Avenue) directly across the street from the Central Milwaukee Public Library designed by Ferry and Clas in 1895.

Buildings, such as the Saint James Court Apartments, were part of a trend that helped create and define urban upper-middle class neighborhoods in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These buildings provided amenities that were often only available in the homes of the wealthy. These features included electricity, central heating, telephone service, hot water, storage areas, and laundries. The elevator also changed the way in which apartments were viewed. No longer were the lower level apartments the most desirable, now the better exposure to light and air and view became the most desired features. The Saint James Court Apartments were among the first in Milwaukee to be serviced by an elevator. In general, this new wave of high end apartments provided tenants with the amenities of urban living without the individual care needed for a house.

The Saint James Court Apartments are private residences and offices and are not open to the public. Please respect the rights and privacy of the occupants.