retroist: Gimbels - Pre-Thanksgiving Sale in 1984 - link
about 20 hours ago
arielmz: @RandomHero77 the part where the black guy announces that Santa is coming to Gimbels and Buddy freaks out in anticipation & excitement
about 1 day ago
rolandosgiftsho: Here's a Barbie I Never Saw at Gimbels -- By: Kathryn Jean Lopez (source: Topix.net): Wearing the traditional I.. link
about 1 day ago
World_Policy: Here's a Barbie I Never Saw at Gimbels -- By: Kathryn Jean Lopez link
about 3 days ago
GABianchi: @ch3n207 what the hell is the gimbels ride?
about 3 days ago
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The Gimbel's parking pavilion, 555 N. Plankinton Ave. |  |
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 | By Jeff Sherman   OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Jeff Sherman |
| Published Nov. 6, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. |
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The Gimbel's parking pavilion, 555 N. Plankinton Ave., was built in 1947. The art moderne-style building, designed by V.K. Boynton, has always been one of my favorites. And, I think that it needs a tenant. A great tenant -- a Kopp's or other destination-type diner, maybe even a cool retailer. Who knows? I just know that it's too nice of a building to sit vacant.
It's an attractive, poured concrete, historic building that's full of potential. It's last tenant, Irwin Union Bank, closed on March 12.
According to bizjournals.com, a spokesman for Indiana-based Irwin Union said bank executives decided to close the office due to difficulties recruiting and retaining executive talent.
My wife suggested recently that if Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn really wants to move the 1st District police station that this could be an option. Better yet, she thought the old Greyhound Station would really work. I agree.
Anyway, what are your thoughts for a good use for this attractive Downtown building?
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13 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by ChateauDweller on Nov. 9, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (report)
A homeless shelter and a planned parenthood clinic? Nothing would revitalize that area more! buahahahaha! How about a needle exchange, plasma clinic and an Acorn office while we are at it.
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Posted by Jasmine on Nov. 7, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. (report)
TARGET OR A CHEESECAKE FACTORY
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Posted by hardgeminiguy on Nov. 6, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. (report)
gimbels used the building to sell large appliances. downtown needs more parking--not less so the building should be saved. some type of destination restaurant would work with free parking in the same building. a museum could work--a beer museum? it could serve beer and have a restaurant. target and wallmart were once considering building on the empty lots around the gimbels building. did the poor retail climate stop that idea? downtown needs major retail on that area. destination stores.
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Posted by speakthetruth on Nov. 6, 2009 at 3:37 p.m. (report)
Planned Parenthood. It is on a bus line.
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Posted by Jeff on Nov. 6, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. (report)
Sorry, but I think the building should go. It's always been a dead space, even when Gimbels used it. There's nothing there that invites people to make the trek from Wisconsin Avenue. A large office building or retail (Best Buy, Target, Kohls or whatever the hoped-for store du jour is) would work better. A higher-end store would be great for downtown, but not at that location--east of the river would be better.
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