Wisconsin Gas Building

File:MilwaukeeGasLightBuilding architecturaldetails.jpg

Locally distinct light colored brick called Cream City brick crowns the high-rise. Copper panels adorn the spandrels, while organic foliage patterns and terracotta designs decorate the façade. The building stands 250 feet tall and has 20 floors. Demolished to make room for the building in 1930, a Prohibition-era speakeasy was formerly on the site.{{cite news|last1=Gould|first1=Whitney|title=Milwaukee landmark to be restored|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/04/13/milwaukee-landmark-to-be-restored/|access-date=20 March 2015|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=April 13, 2003}}

Wisconsin Gas was purchased by Wisconsin Energy in 2001.

During the consolidation of Wisconsin Gas into Wisconsin Energy's neighboring downtown corporate headquarters, the Wisconsin Gas Building was sold to a developer in 2004 who converted it into leased office space.

In 2025, the Wisconsin Gas Building went into foreclosure.{{Cite web |last=Turpin |first=Hunter |date=2025-03-28 |title=Mostly vacant downtown Milwaukee historic office tower in foreclosure |url=https://biztimes.com/gas-light-building-milwaukee-foreclosure/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News |language=en-US}}

A weather beacon shaped as a natural gas flame was added to the top of the Wisconsin Gas Building in 1956. It indicates the weather forecast by its color and flicker. The flame was turned off in 1973 because of that year's energy crisis. It was turned on again in 1985. The flame stands 21 feet tall and weighs four tons. In 2013, the neon tube lighting system was replaced with an LED lighting system. The new LED system allows millions of colors and various other lighting schemes outside the traditional red-gold-blue system, including charity efforts and sports team colors.{{cite news|url=http://www.wisn.com/news/south-east-wisconsin/milwaukee/wisn-12-news-solves-colorful-mystery-of-shifting-colors-on-gas-light-flame/24668980|title=WISN 12 News solves colorful mystery of shifting colors on gas light flame|last=Wainscott|first=Kent|date=25 February 2014|publisher=WISN-TV|accessdate=26 February 2014}}

There is a rhyme created to help remember the colors. Most of the rhyme is consistent, with variations in the final line:

:When the flame is red, it's warm weather ahead.

:When the flame is gold, watch out for cold.

:When the flame is blue, there's no change in view.

:When there's a flickering flame, expect snow or rain!{{cite web |title=When the flame is blue, there's no change in view |url=http://whentheflameisblue.com/ |accessdate=24 September 2018}}

and

:When the flame is red, warm weather is ahead.

:When the flame is gold, watch out for cold.

:When the flame is blue, there's no change in view.

:Where there's agitation, expect precipitation.{{cite web |title=Ask OMC: What's the color code for the Wisconsin Gas flame? |url=https://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/askomcgasflame.html |website=OnMilwaukee |date=8 December 2007 |accessdate=24 September 2018}}

The light has been used as a harbor marker and navigation aid by mariners in Lake Michigan over the years.

• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040615084524/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=122443 Wisconsin Gas Building]}} at Emporis
• [http://www.jsonline.com/bym/biz2biz/apr01/daykcol13041201a.asp Developer converting gas building to office power]
• [http://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/wisconsingasbuildingflame.html Up close and personal with the Wisconsin Gas Light Building "flame"]

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Category:Art Deco architecture in Wisconsin

Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Milwaukee

Category:Landmarks in Wisconsin

Category:Headquarters in the United States

Category:Office buildings completed in 1930

Category:1930 establishments in Wisconsin