Property Record
320 E BUFFALO AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Phoenix Hosiery Co. Plant #6 |
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| Other Name: | ARTCRAFT INDUSTRIES / ELECTRONIC PRINGING SYSTEMS |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 29290 |
| Location (Address): | 320 E BUFFALO AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1922 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | industrial bldg/manufacturing facility |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Concrete |
| Architect: | LOCKWOOD AND GREENE CO. |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Historic Third Ward District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/8/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | This eight story commercial styled building has a poured concrete exterior with a red brick trim. "Phoenix" cartouches decorate the second story. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE: This structure was built in 1922 for the Phoenix Knitting Co. as the final phase of a six-year construction effort that tripled the firm's production and storage facilities. In 1925 Phoenix - and Holeproof Hosiery, another Milwaukee firm - were claimed to be the largest silk hosiery manufacturing plants in the U.S. Even though Phoenix's knitting operations were transferred to the South in 1954, 400 employees worked in the Milwaukee general offices, warehouses and finishing departments in 1956 (also see 207 & 219 N. Milwaukee and 311 E. Chicago). Top floor has been converted to a penthouse condominium. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Building permit. B. Historic Third Ward Walking Tour, Historic Third Ward Association, 1998. Historic Third Ward Historic Walking Tour, Historic Third Ward Association, 2009. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |