Once, a reader suggested setting my sites on Milwaukee's rooftops. I admit I didn't immediately see the allure. But after spending a couple years climbing up every flight of stairs that has presented itself, I've risen to challenge and peered out across Milwaukee from a number of rooftops. Here are just a few of them.
1. Milwaukee Arena
Typically, the first thing that grabs your attention as you step out onto a rooftop is the view out toward the city, where we seek out landmarks. In the case of the Arena, it was most exciting being close enough to touch the iconic arches.
2. Bartlett Avenue firehouse
The roof of this 19th century Sebastian Brand-designed firehouse, now owned by a moving and storage company, affords an interesting view of the backside of central peak of the building's facade.
3. Old Pabst Brewery silos
The former silos at the old Pabst Brewery site offer one of the highest perches on the western edge of Downtown, as well as a peek down at the old German Methodist Church that, I'll say it again, would make a great small music venue. Jazz club in Milwaukee, anyone?
4. Charles Allis Museum
Sometimes a rooftop is cool for the views it offers of other buildings. In the case of the Charles Allis Museum, the best view is of the detailed work Alexander Eschweiler invested even in the backsides of chimneys that he must've wondered if anyone would even really get to see.
5. Gas Light Building
Like the Allis, the Wisconsin Gas Light Building -- another Eschweiler creation -- has great views of the city, but the best view is when you turn around and look at the building itself.
6. Hilton City Center
I know, I know, I'm hammering home this point. But, again, why look away when you can look toward. Here's the back side of the giant Hilton sign Downtown.
7. Milorganite plant
OK, here's a case where there's not a ton to see on the roof itself, but the view from the Jones Island Milorganite plant roof just might be the best one of Downtown and the Hoan Bridge together. If you prefer, zoom in to avoid getting the sewage treatment plant in the frame.
8. Milwaukee Art Museum
Is there a more iconic roof in Milwaukee than this one (OK, maybe the Gas Light flame)?
9. Milwaukee Public Library
The roof of the Central Library addition is green...
10. Milwaukee Public Museum part 2
...but the roof on the original section of the Ferry & Clas building has the ornate dome and the eagles.
11. Hilton Garden Inn
This is not taken from a rooftop but, rather, of a particularly lovely one: the almost European looking skylight of the Hilton Garden Inn, which occupies the old Loyalty Building, 611 N. Broadway. Looks more like Paris than Milwaukee.
12. The Pabst Theater
The roof of The Pabst Theater offers one of the best views of City Hall.
13. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Hey, Pizza Face, this is one of a few Milwaukee buildings with messages for high-flyers. Another is on photographer Mark Gubin's Bay View rooftop. This view can be seen from the top of the Potawatomi Hotel.
14. The Riverside Theater
Want a great view of the river? Head up to the roof of the Riverside Theater. To think, it could've been a view of a freeway.
15. The Modjeska Theatre
The Modjeska Theater on 12th and Mitchell not only has great views of the South Side, it offers a pretty stellar look at the Downtown skyline.
16. Turner Hall
Sure, check out the skyline when you're up on the Turner Hall roof, too, but don't forget to take a look back at architect Henry Koch's lookout perch. You can climb up inside the tower for a good 360-degree view, too.
17. Former A.O. Smith Research & Development Building
You can go much higher up, to the top roof of the former A.O. Smith R&D building at the old Tower Automotive site, but the best view is down onto the arched glass roof of the building's giant open engineering space.
18. U.S. Bank Center
Sometimes the best views are afforded by tempestuous weather. This photo, admittedly, was not taken from the roof, but rather the observation deck just beneath it at the U.S. Bank Center, 777 E. Wisconsin Ave.
19. Most every roof in Westown
It's true, I once flew a plane. Be very worried. But don't worry, the flight instructor had the controls while I snapped this image of most every roof in Westown, and a few in East Town, too.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
