Skip to main content

click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Record

819 N 6TH ST

Historic Name:
State Office Building
Other Name:
Wisconsin District State Office Building
Reference Number:
111444

Property Location

Location (Address) 819 N 6TH ST
County Milwaukee
City/Village Milwaukee
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section

Property Features

Year Built 1961
Additions 1963
Survey Date 1984,2016,2025
Historic Use large office building
Architectural Style Contemporary
Structural System
Wall Material Concrete
Architect Marjorie Kreilick-murals,Grellinger, Rose, Jurener, Klumb, Rappl, Hass, Inc.
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished No
Demolished Date
Additional Comments A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. 2016- "The 10-story State Office Building was constructed in 1961 and has an L-shaped plan and flat roof. The walls are concrete and the primary (north) facade features a bank of plate-glass and metal windows on the first story and a one-story entrance wing extends from the northwest corner. The entrance wing roof features three barrel vaults at the ell and a flat roof extends north. The entrance is located at the junction of the entrance wing and the main block and features arched concrete awnings over three pairs of glass and metal doors. On the side (east and west) elevations, the building is cantilevered above the second story and supported by four round concrete columns. The side elevations, devoid of windows, are clad in brick in vertical bands. On the rear (south) elevation a series of arched concrete awnings span the length of the building over metal fixed pane and awning windows and concrete knee walls. The upper floors of the primary (north) facade and rear elevation feature metal fixed and awning windows with concrete hoods that form a geometric pattern." -"USH 18/Wells St: N 6th St to N Broadway", WisDOT#2200-14-00, Prepared by Mead & Hunt, Inc., (2016). Building features 10 marble mosaic murals. "An interesting feature of this recent addition of the Civic Center Complex is the Wells Street sunshade facade. The window surrounds not only create changing patterns of light and shadow but also keep excessive light and heat from the interior, reducing the cost of air conditioning and eliminating the need for blinds. Inside, subtly colored, semi-abstract mosaic murals picture distinctive aspects of the Wisconsin landscape. They were executed in Italy by Marjorie Kreilick of The University of Wisconsin Art Department and were shipped to Milwaukee." Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia A Palmer, University Extension The University of Wisconsin, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Kilbourntown Walking Tour, 1967. History: The State Office Building in Milwaukee was constructed in 1961 and the mosaic artwork added in 1963. The building’s purpose was to consolidate Milwaukee-based state offices into one location. Wisconsin’s State Architect at the time was a proponent of adding artistic value to public buildings and proposed that Marjorie Kreilick be hired to add mosaics murals to the new state office building. Kreilick’s 10 murals were installed, one on each floor of the building. In 2018, state government proposed replacing this building with a new one in a different location. The project has been on hold due to funding issues, but the state wants to sell the current building and historic preservation advocates have raised the issue of the preservation of the mosaics in this building. Additional Comments, 2023: 2025: Appearance unchanged.
Bibliographic References https://sca-roadside.org/common-ground-landscape-mosaics-at-the-wisconsin-state-office-building-in-milwaukee/?fbclid=IwAR1efdjjOOgn6YIcwIhEEKoPVMp-nhc5gb8YAE7f44dd4WTlYDYg2aCY8lA Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia A Palmer, University Extension The University of Wisconsin, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Kilbourntown Walking Tour, 1967.

National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings

National/State Register Listing Name Not Listed
National Register Listing Date
State Register Listing Date
Contributing
Permalink
Permalink

Architecture & History Inventory

The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.

Learn More about AHI

Contact Us

Questions?

Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!

Email Us

Attribution

For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier. 

The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.

For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.

 

Access Property Records

Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.

Schedule Appointment

Property Record
100 W Walworth St

100 W Walworth St

248203

Located in Elkhorn, Walworth County

View Property
Property Record
1 E Walworth St.

1 E Walworth St.

10202

Located in Elkhorn, Walworth County

View Property
Property Record
630 Hilltop Circle

630 Hilltop Circle

248343

Located in Eau Claire, Eau Claire County

View Property
Property Record
5519 W. Woolworth Ave

5519 W. Woolworth Ave

232516

Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County

View Property
Property Record
4400 ESTABROOK PKWY

4400 ESTABROOK PKWY

191953

Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County

View Property
Property Record
440 E GRAND AVE

440 E GRAND AVE

160761

Located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County

View Property
Go to top
Wisconsin Historical Society
Search Dropdown