Wisconsin Gas Building, Art Deco skyscraper in downtown Milwaukee, United States
The Wisconsin Gas Building is a 20-story tower in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shaped by stepped setbacks that give it a tiered silhouette. The upper sections are decorated with bronze sunburst patterns and light-colored brick, giving the crown a textured, ornamental finish.
The building was designed in 1930 by the architectural firm Eschweiler & Eschweiler, replacing an earlier structure on the same site. It was built during the final years of the Art Deco boom that was reshaping American cities throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
The building is known for its working weather beacon, which many Milwaukee residents still use as a daily reference point. The light has become such a familiar part of the skyline that local poems and songs have been written about it.
The tower sits in downtown Milwaukee and is easy to reach on foot or by public transit from most central neighborhoods. Visitors arriving by car will find a parking garage on site.
The beacon at the top of the tower signals weather through color: red for rising temperatures, gold for cold, and blue for stable conditions. When rain or snow is on the way, the light flickers instead of holding a steady glow.
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