Wisconsin Gas Building, Milwaukee

The Wisconsin Gas Building, or Milwaukee Gas Light Building, is a classic stepped Art Deco building located in downtown Milwaukee. It was designed by architects Eschweiler & Eschweiler and completed in 1930 using differing materials on the exterior to graduate from dark to light. Locally distinct light colored brick called Cream City brick crowns the high-rise. Copper panels adorn the spandrels, while organic foliage patterns and terracotta designs decorate the façade. The building stands 250 feet tall and has 20 floors.

Wisconsin Gas was purchased by Wisconsin Energy in 2001. During the consolidation of Wisconsin Gas into Wisconsin Energy's neighboring downtown corporate headquarters, the Wisconsin Gas Building was sold to a developer in 2004 who converted it into leased office space. A weather beacon shaped as a natural gas flame was added to the top of the Wisconsin Gas Building in 1956 which indicates the forecast of the weather by its color and flicker. The flame was turned off in 1973 due to the energy crisis. It was turned on again in 1985. Its neon flame stands 21 feet tall, weighs in at four tons and costs $10,000 a month to operate. The light has been used as a harbor marker and navigation aid by mariners in Lake Michigan over the years. Doggerels are commonly recited in order to remember the meanings of the various colors.