Astor on the Lake

The Hotel Astor is a low-rise residential hotel building located in the Yankee Hill (East Town) neighborhood of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Astor on the Lake. It currently serves as an apartment building.

Astor on the Lake
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Astor on the Lake
Location	924 E. Juneau Ave Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Coordinates	43°2′45″N 87°54′1″W
Built	1920
Architect	Herbert W. Tullgren
Architectural style	Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.	84003715
Added to NRHP	September 6, 1984

Designed by architect Herbert Tullgren in Classical Revival style, the Hotel Astor was built in 1920 by developer Oscar Brachman for hotel tycoon Walter Schroeder.^[1] The building was originally U-shaped in plan, but an L-shaped addition in 1925 made the building into the E-shape seen today.^[2] The building has eight floors^[3] and stands 102 feet (31 m) tall.^[4]

History

When the Astor opened, it was considered one of the finest Midwest hotels of the time.^[1] It offered 125 guest rooms with a monthly rent of $100 to $300 depending on size.^[3] The façade is covered with gray limestone and has French Classical details and was constructed using steel-reinforced concrete.^[3] A stained glass skylight hangs above the reception area. Many of the rooms, which are now owner-occupied, were of simpler design.^[5]

Fire

At dawn on February 18, 1935, the Astor caught fire.^[6] The fire was caused by electrical wires in the basement and a dense, oily smoke filled the building.^[6] The fire claimed the lives of two adults^[6] and two infants.^[7] Oscar Teweles, 59, and his nurse, Elsie Saxinger, 40, were killed due to suffocation in his apartment on the fifth floor.^[6] Over 300 people had to be evacuated due to the fire and were sent into the city streets.^[6] The damage caused by the fire was estimated at $75,000.^[6]

External links

• The Astor Hotel Apartments official website
• Emporis Buildings listing^[usurped]

References

1. "Astor Hotel". Retrieved 9 January 2013.
2. "Astor on the Lake". Wisconsin Historical Society. January 2012. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
3. "Hotel Astor to be Opened in October". The Milwaukee Journal. Sep 29, 1920. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
4. "The Astor Hotel". Emporis. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
5. Richard H. Zeitlin (1984-07-18). "NRHP Inventory/Nomination: Astor on the Lake (1920 - 1941)". National Park Service. Retrieved 2019-05-27. With 14 photos.
6. "Milwaukee Hotel Burns; 2 Lives Lost". The Telegraph Herald. Feb 18, 1935. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
7. "Two Dead in Hotel Fire in Milwaukee". The Pittsburgh Press. Feb 18, 1935. Retrieved 10 January 2013.