14 Feb pabst commerical building (1891) interior architectural elements acquired by bldg. 51 museum collection
the pabst building was a 14-story neo-gothic style commercial building (1891) designed by architect s.s. beman as the headquarters for milwaukee beer baron frederick pabst. it was the city’s first skyscraper and the tallest building prior to the completion of milwaukee’s city hall, completed four years later in 1895.
the building was demolished in 1981. the 14-story was built with brown brick and heavily ornamented with terra cotta. the building featured a massive granite stone arch entrance and copper tower with four-sided clock. upon completion, the building was described as being romanesque revival, neo-gothic with flemish details.
the building’s roofline underwent several damaging alterations in the 20th century, including the removal of the copper towers that crowned the top.
Salvaged ornament housed in the BLDG. 51 Museum Collection:
Original Copper-Plated Cast Iron Staircase Balustrade Salvaged From S.S. Beman’s 14-Story Pabst Commerical Building. Executed by the Winslow Brothers, Chicago, Ills.
Solon Spencer Beman-Designed Ornamental Cast Iron 1890s Pabst Commerical Building Doorknob And Backplate With Original Bower-Barff “rustproof” finish. Executed by the Chicago Hardware Company, Chicago, Ills.
Ornamental Cast Iron Elevator Enclosure Fragments Salvaged From The Pabst Commerical Building, Designed By Chicago Architect S.S. Beman. The Bower-Barff Finish Elevator Ornament Was Executed By The Winslow Brothers Foundry, Chicago, Ills.
