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Property Location
Property Features
The Sydney Apartment Hotel was one of several luxury high-rise residences designed by the Milwaukee architectural firm of Backes and Uthus. Their other major works (Sovereign Apartments, Ambassador Hotel and Herida Apartments) are extant along West Wisconsin Avenue. The Sydney was built to meet the demand for housing near the central business district during the 1920's. It appears the Sydney had its heyday from 1928 to 1935, when its Yellow Pages ads superceded all others in size and content. After 1935, its ad was reduced to a single line item. Because of its location, original cost and overdone fanfare, the Sydney probably attracted the well-to-do business and professional classes. Exactly who these people were is not clear since the city directories did not list individual tenants at this address. This suggests the Sydney was probably transient in nature.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Architecturally it represents a major work of Backes and Uthus. Designed in the Moderne, the Sydney is an example of the style which was seldom used in Milwaukee. The setback form is a result of zoning regulations enacted during the mid-1920's which required adequate light and air in dense, urban areas. The facade is defined with terra-cotta ornament of modified Gothicisms. Full running piers terminate into pinnacles with tracery and battlements on the parapet wall. The terra-cotta is fired a rose-green with a surface texture simulating stone.
S.M. Siesel was the builder.
Building is currently vacant.
Excellent example of a typical 1920s apartment building.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
Architecture & History Inventory
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730 N Doctor Martin Luther King Jr Dr (AKA 730 N 3RD ST)
108657
Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
