Wisconsin Gas Building

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The Wisconsin Gas Building (originally Milwaukee Gas Light Building) is a classic stepped Art Deco building located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was designed by architects Eschweiler & Eschweiler and completed in 1930 using differing materials on the exterior to graduate from dark to light.

[edit] Description

Locally distinct light colored stone 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.

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. 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.

When the flame is red, it's warm weather ahead!
When the flame is gold, watch out for cold!
When the flame is blue, there's no change in view!
When there's a flickering flame, expect snow or rain!

Wisconsin Gas was purchased by Wisconsin Energy in 2000. During the consolidation of Wisconsin Gas into Wisconsin Energy's neighboring downtown corporate headquarters, the Wisconsin Gas Building was sold to a developer in 2001 who converted it into leased office space.