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Commission approves replacement-facing for crumbling brick at 501 W. Mitchell
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for St. Stanislaus Properties LLC to replace failing exterior brick at 501 West Mitchell Street with a manufactured cream‑city–style brick, subject to mortar- and cleaning‑method conditions.
The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission on July 7 approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior work at 501 West Mitchell Street, authorizing removal of a deteriorated cementitious overlay and refacing the two attached buildings with new brick that approximates historic Cream City brick.
City preservation staff told the commission that contractors performing spot removals found the original brick face largely gone and that removing the cementitious coating would irreversibly damage the masonry. A representative for the owner, St. Stanislaus Properties LLC, and contractor Holton Brothers presented a physical sample of the proposed manufactured brick from County Materials and explained that salvaged Cream City brick was scarce and likely unavailable in the quantities required for the project.
"Staff finds that this does reasonably match both the aesthetic and the color of an original Cream City material," a city preservation staff member said, recommending approval with conditions. The commission approved the certificate with standard masonry conditions, including matching new mortar to historic mortar, avoiding abrasive cleaning methods, and requiring samples and mortar- and joint-matching on site.
The project is part of a broader rehabilitation of the two buildings, which staff said are solid masonry construction and will receive additional work in future months, including a proposed rear addition. The COA granted on July 7 covers only the exterior brick treatment; other elements will return to the commission when applicants submit them for review.
Commissioners and staff noted the visual difference between a newly manufactured cream‑colored brick and weathered historic brick, and they recorded that the proposed material will look newer on completion but was preferable to leaving failing masonry in place.
The motion to adopt the staff recommendation passed by voice vote.
