Milwaukee needs more skyscrapers to be taken seriously as a big city (York: renting, condo)

[quijote]

Originally Posted by rickat1964

European cities are not living in the 17th century anymore, but I think some people on this message board might be.

Just because we recognize that the "build it and they will come" philosophy is wrong? In the 1960s and 1970s, and then later during the 1990s, many major cities in developing countries experienced a skyscraper boom. Places like Lagos, Nigeria and Pyongyang, North Korea built skyscrapers and expected business to follow suit. They were wrong. Now these cities, like dozens of others around the world, have "white elephants" on their hands--buildings that are largely or completely unoccupied. They look impressive from the outside, but are just hollow shells. These cities overbuilt, and I hope Milwaukee doesn't fall into that game.

[quijote]

Originally Posted by rickat1964

I don't think Milwaukee should pattern themselves like European cities because it won't get them anywhere. The US is a capaitalist society, Europe is not. Europe is very socialist and I would hate Milwaukee be something it is not. I like the skyscrapers, that's the US's trademark and there's nothing to be ashamed about. I like the direction Milwaukee is going.

Milwaukee has a strong and rich socialist history, so perhaps a capitalist-motivated skyscraper boom would push Milwaukee into being something it's not?

In any case, Europe is more capitalist than it is socialist. Capitalism was born in Europe, though it was "perfected" in the United States. Besides, the European Union is going quite strong, particularly vis-a-vis the United States.

The skyscraper is definitely a symbol of the U.S., but so is the low-rise office park. When you think of San Jose, California (ground-zero for Silicon Valley), you don't think of high-rises, do you? San Jose's tallest buildings are under 300 feet tall, and most of the high rollers operate in sprawling office parks. This is the paradigm for the "New Economy" of the 21st Century. Skyscrapers are a relic of the 20th Century.

[rickat1964]

Why are you talking about other countries? At least talk about cities here in the US. And I believe in the way the US does things more than Nigeria or China.what makes you think Milwaukee will do it wrong anyway? Have faith and there is nothing wrong with building. Be socialist then if that makes you happy.

[rickat1964]

Skyscrapers are relic of the 20th century? Are you kidding? I guess that's why there's 1000-2000 foot low-rise buildings popping up all over the world? Where have you been? But Milwaukee doesn't need anything nearly that tall, but 600-700 feet would be appropriate for Milwaukee.

[quijote]

Originally Posted by rickat1964

Why are you talking about other countries? At least talk about cities here in the US.

I talked about other countries for comparative purposes, but if it makes you happy, see my comment on San Jose, CA. Last I checked, it's in the U.S.

And I believe in the way the US does things more than Nigeria or China.what makes you think Milwaukee will do it wrong anyway?

If Milwaukee builds tall buildings with no one to occupy them, then that's probably not a good move, don't you think?

Have faith and there is nothing wrong with building.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with building if there's demand for it. You need more than faith to fill up a costly skyscraper.

Be socialist then if that makes you happy.

Red-baiting? Not very sportsmanlike of you. Perhaps you should be less concerned about building tall buildings, and more concerned about the architecture of your thoughts and comments.

[quijote]

Originally Posted by rickat1964

Skyscrapers are relic of the 20th century? Are you kidding? I guess that's why there's 1000-2000 foot low-rise buildings popping up all over the world?

Yes. They are not glamorous and flashy, so they don't make the headlines, but sprawl (and sprawling office parks) is one of America's great exports to the rest of the world. That doesn't mean skyscrapers aren't being built--of course they are--but low-rise developments have advantages that skyscrapers don't have. In Milwaukee, the Chancellor of UWM has been working with business leaders to develop a research and development office park in Wauwatosa, not a skyscraper downtown. Can you guess why?

Where have you been? But Milwaukee doesn't need anything nearly that tall, but 600-700 feet would be appropriate for Milwaukee.

It would sure look pretty. Got a tenant lined up?

[rickat1964]

Architecture of my thoughts and comments?

[rickat1964]

Originally Posted by quijote

Yes. They are not glamorous and flashy, so they don't make the headlines, but sprawl (and sprawling office parks) is one of America's great exports to the rest of the world. That doesn't mean skyscrapers aren't being built--of course they are--but low-rise developments have advantages that skyscrapers don't have. In Milwaukee, the Chancellor of UWM has been working with business leaders to develop a research and development office park in Wauwatosa, not a skyscraper downtown. Can you guess why?




It would sure look pretty. Got a tenant lined up?

Because they're a college and not a large company that could afford to rent floors downtown.

[quijote]

Originally Posted by rickat1964

Because they're a college and not a large company that could afford to rent floors downtown.

UWM's radio station, WUWM, currently rents space in the Chase Tower (a tall building, perhaps even a skyscraper, at Water and Wisconsin). This is a sign that UWM could rent more skyscraper space if it wanted to.

The UWM R&D Engineering Campus ("Innovation Park") proposed for Wauwatosa is not just a college venture. It's designed to be a collaboration with private businesses and other institutions for the purpose of fostering education, research, development, and business start-ups in several areas of engineering technology. A venture such as this requires infrastructure (such as extensive lab space, supply areas, classroom and presentation sites, high-security zones, etc.) that skyscrapers cannot offer. This campus could just as well go downtown, but it still wouldn't go into a skyscraper; it would have to go to a spacious, undeveloped parcel, such as the Park East area. This is a high-tech project with high-tech configuration requirements; a skyscraper will not suffice.

[rickat1964]

The campus doesn't need to be downtown, but at least in Milwaukee instead of the suburbs. I never said to put it in a skyscraper anyway, you brought it up.