Historic Preservation

How Brewers Hill Stays Historic

What does it mean to be historic?

Brewers Hill's storied past and historic buildings make it a unique location in Milwaukee. Often, individual buildings are designated as historic whereas in Brewers Hill, a large swath of the neighborhood has been officially designated as historic by the state. Being a historic property, or being a property located within the Brewers Hill historic boundaries, means homes have unique character, strict exterior regulations, but financial incentives to help support and preserve the unique features that can be found in our area.

Do I own a historic property?

In 1983, portions of the neighborhood were designated a Local Historic District (Map) and National Historic District. With this designation, properties in the Brewers Hill Historic District are under the protection of Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, and no changes which require a building permit may be made to the exterior unless the owner first obtains a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC).

How do I renovate and update my historic property?

If you are a property owner in the Brewers Hill Historic district, a COA may be required for exterior alterations to existing structures and construction of new structures. The Historic Brewers Hill Association does not oversee the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Please contact the City of Milwaukee Historic Preservation Staff to discuss your proposed project to determine if a COA is needed and/or if review is required by the Historic Preservation Commission.

  • How to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for a historic site or structure in Milwaukee:
  • The City of Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) administers Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, adopted in 1981, which provides certain kinds of legal protection for buildings or sites that have been declared historic by the Common Council. The HPC is responsible for designating historic landmarks and historic districts and for approving COAs for permission to alter historic buildings and to construct new buildings in historic districts.
  • Historic Property Plaque Program: In order to celebrate Milwaukee’s unique heritage and recognize properties that contribute to the historic fabric of the city, the HPC oversees the city’s Historic Property Plaque Program. Launched in 2014, the program selects exceptional properties within the community, researches the history of the property and provides the property owner with the opportunity to commemorate that history with a plaque on the building’s façade.

Where can I learn more about my property and how to care for it?

Other resources on historic preservation: