Property Record
334 E FLORIDA ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Milwaukee Malt & Grain Co. |
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| Other Name: | Wisconsin Cold Storage |
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| Reference Number: | 113220 |
| Location (Address): | 334 E FLORIDA ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1892 |
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| Additions: | 1928 |
| Survey Date: | 198420162024 |
| Historic Use: | warehouse |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Henry Smith; C. F. Ringer |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 2024: The resource consists of two distinct volumes: a multi-story L-shaped brick building originally constructed as a malt house in 1892 and an eight-story rectangular plan cold storage building constructed into the vacant space of the “L” in 1928. The L-shaped building is constructed of loadbearing brick masonry of varying heights corresponding to different interior functional spaces. The massive building stands on a quarried stone plinth. The ground floor is further delineated by a corbelled belt course, and the second floor is delineated by two stone belt courses. From the corbelled belt course, pilasters rise the full height of the street facing elevations (south and east) and terminate above the roofline with squared capitals. The principal elevation (south) features a corbelled belt course below a central parapet. Loading bays are along the ground floor of the south elevation. The original windows openings are segmental arch. Some have been altered to rectangular openings; many have been bricked in. The cold storage addition was constructed on the site of the previous grain elevator. It is an eight-story, rectangular plan building and adjoins the adjacent buildings to the east, north, and west. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps indicate the building is of “fireproof construction” with concrete floors, framing, and roof and an exterior enclosed with brick curtain walls. The south elevation mimics the aesthetic of the adjacent building with belt course delineating the ground floor and four pilasters rising to another belt course below an angular parapet. The bases and capitals of the pilasters are geometric, Art Deco inspired shapes. An 8 story cold storage addition was built in 1928, designed by C. F. Ringer. 2016 - resurveyed, appearance unchanged. Brick pilasters, stepped parapet with stone accents. Western half has modest Art Deco stone ornamentation. Loading docks on south elevation and most original windows remain. |
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| Bibliographic References: | “Sanborn Fire Insurance Company, Milwaukee, 1894, Volume 3” (New York: Sanborn Map Company, 1894), Sheet 244; “Sanborn Fire Insurance Company, Milwaukee, 1910-Revised 1951, Volume 3” (New York: Sanborn Map Company, 1951), Sheet 394. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |