The building in which I work, now called CityCenter, but built as the imposing headquarters of the First National Bank, celebrates the 100th anniversary of its opening today with a huge bash at the building, 735 N. Water St., and on the streets outside (weather permitting).
Admission to the bash, which has three stages of live music, dancing, cocktails and more, is free, and it kicks off at 4 p.m.
In 2012, I took a tour of the building and wrote about its history, including the fact that it's one of just a few Milwaukee buildings designed by important Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, who died in 1912, the year the cornerstone of the building was laid. You read about that here.
You can also watch this video about the building's history, with some great old photos (but I warn you in advance, I'm in it, as you can see):
More than 10,000 people showed up to see the building the April day it opened in 1914. I suspect there won't be quite that many at today's party, but it will be a great event and because we love a bargain, I'll say one more time that it's free and open to all.
So come on down and party like it's 1914! But get there it wraps up at 10 p.m. or you'll have to wait for 2114.
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.
