Like Us
Follow Us
Sydney Hih letters to become public art
Last year, the iconic Sydney Hih building was torn down, causing great controversy among Milwaukeeans. Some believed it was a terrible eye sore that simply needed to go whereas others – particularly those who had memories of seeing bands at The Unicorn or eating at Siam's – wanted to see it renovated.
On Friday, Jan. 18, the nine metal letters that spelled out "Sydney Hih" on the front of the building will be reborn as public art at The Shops of Grand Avenue, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave.
The letters have been preserved and restored and will be placed permanently in the windows of the walkway over Plankinton Avenue.
Personally, I have my own collection of memories from the building. A construction worker gave me a brick during the demolition process and a kind reader sent me a piece of the Unicorn's yellow-painted door.
The installation of the letters in a highly visible area is a great idea. We need more public art in Milwaukee and for those of us with crazy, hazy memories of the brightly-colored monstrosity, it will be fun to see a small portion of it that's still intact.
Permalink
Print
Talkbacks (4)
Share this: 
Talkbacks
CarolV | Jan. 18, 2013 at 4:12 p.m. (report)
I was too late for a brick :( Our daughter was named after that building - where my hubby and I had our first kiss (at the Unicorn). We snapped a few pix with our Sydney and the building at least before they took the letters down and demolished. Will look forward to checking out her letters at the Grand Ave. sometime soon! Thx for the update.
| Rate this: |
Molly | Jan. 18, 2013 at 11:56 a.m. (report)
Hey, Hardgeminiguy. The letters were removed before the demolition of the building and in the preservation process for a while now. They will be unveiled today at 2 p.m.
| Rate this: |
hardgeminiguy | Jan. 18, 2013 at 11:39 a.m. (report)
Why are the letters not being pictured? write about them and not show them. Does not make sense.
| Rate this: |
hardgeminiguy | Jan. 18, 2013 at 11:37 a.m. (report)
Why are the letters not shown? Does not make sense.
| Rate this: |
 |
4 comments about this article. Post your comment/review now |
Facebook comments
Disclaimer: Please note that Facebook comments are posted through Facebook and cannot be approved, edited or declined by OnMilwaukee.com. The opinions expressed in Facebook comments do not necessarily reflect those of OnMilwaukee.com or its staff.
Recent Articles & Blogs by Molly Snyder
Food enthusiasts weigh in on the term "foodie"
Published May 23, 2013
There are numerous terms that could be used to describe a person who is passionate about food and cooking. Like "food lover" or "gourmand" or "cuisine connoisseur" or even "food nerd." However, in our modern culture, "foodie" is the label that seems to stick like an al dente noodle on a wall.
Harley and High Life pair up
Published May 22, 2013
The official kick-off of a partnership between Harley-Davidson and Miller High Life took place at MillerCoors Brewery today.
Tornadoes are terrifying
Published May 21, 2013
It seems like every week, sometimes more than once, we're grieving something awful.
Does fashion have to change in middle age?
Published May 19, 2013
Just because a woman turns 35 or 38 or 40 doesn't mean her wardrobe has to become a wasteland of frump and "mom jeans." Especially these days, when 40 is supposedly the new 30. But are there fashion dos and don'ts for middle-aged women?
Cocoon Room spreads its creative wings
Published May 18, 2013
Recently, four Milwaukee creatives opened the Cocoon Room, 820 E. Locust St. The goal of the group is to provide artists and musicians a space to share and sell their work as well as provide educational outreach to the community.
Rhino Foods: more than cans of crickets
Published May 17, 2013
Rhino Food Store, 7411 W. Hampton Ave., is what I always want Pacific Produce to be: cheap, unoffensive to my sense of smell and filled with my favorite Asian foods and items.
What's with H&M's sizing?
Published May 16, 2013
Ninety-eight percent of my wardrobe is a size 6, and so, naturally, that's the size I grabbed at H&M. However, I could barely pull the pants above my knees. So I got an 8. Better, but still too small.
Dretzka's Department Store depresses, delights
Published May 16, 2013
Maybe to fully appreciate Dretzka's Department Store in Cudahy one should approach it more as a living museum of mid-century clothing and household items rather than a shopping destination. But then again, few escape a trip to Dretzka's without buying at least one quirky item.
PETA's "Got zits?" billboard breaks out in Milwaukee
Published May 15, 2013
A new PETA billboard on West Lisbon Avenue shows a teen with a pimple-covered face, a milk mustache and the words, "Got zits? Studies Show: Milk and Cheese Trigger Acne. Ditch Dairy."
A look inside the Milwaukee Mall
Published May 14, 2013
You probably drove by this mall a thousand times. Ever wonder what it's like inside? We did and here's what was discovered about this 20-year-old mall, formerly a Sears.
