Restaurant Opens in Pabst Brewery
By Ashley Nanco | Online Only | Aug. 13, 2009
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery opened in July 2009.
Credit: Jim Haertel
Pabst Blue Ribbon beer is making a comeback, and so is its birthplace, the Pabst Brewery in downtown Milwaukee, Wisc.
After being closed for more than a decade, the old Pabst Brewery is being transformed into a mixed-use neighborhood of houses, retail, offices, and community space known as The Brewery. This summer, a restaurant called Best Place opened in a historic building on the complex.
"Even though it is not a functioning brewery, enough is left that I think people can appreciate what this massive national brewery was once like. And I'm proud that it will remain, and it's not just being torn down," says Jim Haertel, a Milwaukee-based developer.
Established in 1844, the Pabst Brewery was once the largest brewery in America, with 26 buildings on more than 20 acres. In 1879 a fire decimated the brewery, leaving only three brick buildings. Everything was then rebuilt with local brick.
In August 2006 Joseph Zilber, The Brewery's main developer, bought the property for $13.6 million. Haertel expressed interest in the complex a decade ago.
"I looked up the street and saw that Pabst sign that you can see anywhere in downtown Milwaukee, and was drawn up," Haertel says. "Knowing all the history inside just drew me in like a tractor beam."
Many of the original buildings still remain. The boiler house, built in 1882 and restored in 1909 after an explosion, is being used for office space. The keg house, a 140,000-square foot Cream City brick building, underwent a $16.2 million transformation into a 95-unit apartment building called the Blue Ribbon Loft apartments. Tenants began moving in the end of January 2009.
The City of Milwaukee provided $29 million to fund the The Brewery project. The money will assist in the payment for demolition, public improvements, and environmental cleanup. The expected date of completion for the entire redevelopment project is 2010 or 2011.
"This whole dream has been so far-fetched, and now look at where I am," Haertel says. "Ten years earlier, I looked like Linus in the Pumpkin Patch, waiting for the Great Pumpkin to come, and now it's actually happening. … I say stay out in the pumpkin patch; sometimes good things do happen."
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Comments
Submitted by Blue Ribbon Tenant at: October 28, 2009
I am very, very proud to be apart of, and experience actually living in a piece of Milwaukee's history. Since moving into my loft apartment earlier this year, I have become fascinated with researching the Brewery's history. Very honored!!
Submitted by kc at: October 4, 2009
Just happened to be surveying the brewery grounds today, 10/04/09, and I came upon the gift shop and met Jim and his staff. I can't begin to tell you how refreshing it was to meet people so passionate about saving a huge piece of Milwaukee history! This could have been a total loss but thanks to Jim and people like him, we won't have to worry anymore. The captain would be proud !!!
Submitted by WyoDan at: August 26, 2009
'What'll you have? Pabst Blue Ribbon!". Congrats to the fine people of Milwaukee for preserving such a stunning piece of their history! A lot of cities can learn from this project. Way to go people, and I hope to visit someday soon.
Submitted by Kay at: August 15, 2009
Just can't wait! A wonderful place for everyone to visit and enjoy & a wonderful addition to the City of Milwaukee.
Submitted by Suzanne at: August 15, 2009
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery is also available for rental - can you imagine how cool it would be to have your holiday party, wedding or anniversary party at Blue Ribbon Hall. You could have cocktails and of course, an icy cold Pabst, in the courtyard with the Captain!
Submitted by Anonymous at: August 15, 2009
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery is now open for tours and it's vintage gift shop will have it's Grand Opening on October 4th. And if you bring in 3 non-perishable food items you get into Blue Ribbon Hall for free!!!! Call Suzanne, the Director of Sales and Marketing at 414.333.4006 for more information!
Submitted by Brian at: August 14, 2009
Hooray! And thats amazing that the city provided that money.