Property Record
421, 423, 425, 427 E SILVER SPRING DR
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Powell Building |
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| Other Name: | Hannah Meredig Building |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 9324 |
| Location (Address): | 421, 423, 425, 427 E SILVER SPRING DR |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Whitefish Bay |
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| Year Built: | 1926 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20111980 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Spanish/Mediterranean Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stucco |
| Architect: | H. M. Powell (builder); A.L. Seidenschwartz |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 1980- CORBELLS IN CORNICE. ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS GROUPED IN 3'S ON 2ND FLR. 2011- The Powell Building, at the southwest corner of Silver Spring Drive and Diversey Boulevard, was constructed in 1926-1927 by H. M. Powell for Walter Drew. The two-story, Mediterranean Revival style building was originally comprised of three storefronts on Silver Spring Drive, four storefronts on Diversey Boulevard, and eight second-floor apartments. The building was the first home to the Whitefish Bay State Bank, the Silver Spring Food Market, and the Silver Spring Fruit Market. In 1932, William and Hannah Meredig bought the building to house their bakery, The Bay Home Bakery & Delicatessen. Throughout the building’s history, it has housed a wide variety of retail businesses. However since 1932, the bakery remains in operation at this same location making it the longest continually operating business in Whitefish Bay. The building was largely restored in the mid-1980s and renamed the Hannah Meredig Building. After William and Hannah Meredig’s son Herbert’s death in 1985, the building and bakery business were sold to Daniel Katz. Later that year, Katz sold the bakery to Dany Olier. The Bank of Whitefish Bay was established in 1930 by A. M. Krech, Allan J. Roberts, Wynand G. Isenring, and Howard S. Swan. It was first located at 427 E. Silver Spring Drive and was one of the first in Milwaukee County to be a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation at its beginning in 1934. When it opened, it was the only bank in the North Shore communities. In 1942, the bank built its first independent building down the street at 311 E. Silver Spring Drive. In 1957, the bank, since renamed Whitefish Bay State Bank, relocated to a new single-story building at 177 E. Silver Spring Drive designed by Donald L. Grieb to permit a future second story addition. It was constructed by Thomas Bentley & Son for approximately $200,000. In 1958, after moving to its new location, the building at 311 E. Silver Spring Drive was demolished to provide a parking lot for neighboring stores; the bank vault is said to still be located below the parking lot at the southeast corner of Silver Spring Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard. In 1966, the Whitefish Bay State Bank was sold to the Jacobus Company, a Milwaukee investment firm. By 1983, Heritage Bank came to occupy the building, the second story addition was added, and the building’s exterior was clad in brick. The building is now occupied by Marshall & Ilesly Bank |
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| Bibliographic References: | Building permit records on file at Whitefish Bay Village Hall. Whitefish Bay Herald 5/15/1997. Whitefish Bay Historical Research Project. Volumes 12-14. Mimi Bird Collection, Whitefish Bay: Whitefish Bay Public Library A drawing of the building and a caption in the Milwaukee Journal, 6 March 1927, Real Estate Section, indicates the building was designed by A. L. Seidenschwartz. The building was to cost approx. $90,000 and was built by the Enterprise Building Company. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |