Milwaukee needs more skyscrapers to be taken seriously as a big city (Madison: real estate, apartment)

[Iburytheliving]

I wish there were more tall skyscrapers too...

That said, one thing you have to keep in mind is that downtown is not on even ground, it's rather hilly and that is decieving. I remember going to San Diego a few years ago and being impressed with their skyline. Then being the building nerd I am, I researched their skyscrapers along with Milwaukee's and it turns out Milwaukee has two skyscrapers taller than any buildings in San Diego (remembering off the top of my head...). San Diego just looked more impressive cause it's downtown is built on almost perfectly level ground... Just food for thought... And San Diego didn't seem as dense as Milwaukee either...

[tully]

this would be #7 or 8, at best, on the list of things milwaukee would need to do to be taken seriously.

regional taxing bodies and planning, controlling/enforcement of pollutors, educational attainment (minority areas), retention of educated classes (other areas), cooperation/incentives w/ entrepreneurs/startups (eg. Columbus, Ohio and other cities)... I could go on and on.

But as others have pointed out, the true ridiculousness is the notion that high-rises = legitimacy. Not very 21st century.

[dabulls3285]

Again, if you don't like the modest Milwaukee skyline, do something about it instead of whining. There are two nice designs proposed right now and are close to city approval. The city council is also deciding which one to help finance.

If you want more tall buildings, then help Milwaukee be a better city. It's been coming along better the last few years, but it needs to keep going and getting stronger. Work tirelessly to elect politicians that will create a friendly business environment for Milwaukee. Help get the local economy and business district growing. Spend your money locally. Get downtown with some friends more often. Be there and be constructive.

Complaining here doesn't offer much constructiveness does it? We are not New York Chicago or LA and will never be.

As far as comparing us to Chicago, can we just please get over it already?
You sound like a bunch of geeks who are being picked on at recess by the class bully. Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Green Bay...these are all cities that a one time were larger than Chicago. Yes, true. Their growth was not stunted because of the lack of skyscrapers. Chicago simply took off like a rocket due to its location and the railroads. The rest is history. Chicago is a great town. But these Chicago wannabe guys like Milwaukee City and the ignorant out of towners, like whoever created this thread, they just are not in touch with reality on some of these topics.

[jayp1188]

Skyscrapers really don't have a whole lot to do with how seriously a city is taken. Look at Phoenix, it is a big city that has virtually no skyline, but it is clearly being taken seriously as a big city, proven by the massive growth it has been experiencing with businesses and people moving there at such a fast rate. Cities like Austin and Charlotte have proven themselves to be major cities without huge skylines as well. Like some have said, Milwaukee has no need for a vast amount of new skyscrapers downtown and really should not build any until it needs. Last thing anyone wants is a plethora of vacant, unoccupied skyscrapers. I currently live in Chicago, and we have a huge skyline, but our economic growth has been slow for years, so clearly skyscrapers do not make a city successful. Milwaukee should work on improving infrastructure and transportation such as building a more extensive freeway system to create more efficient access to downtown from all areas of the metro area and creating a light rail system. Then it will attract some more people, some more businesses, and will need to build more residential and commercial skyscrapers to support the growth.

With that being said though, I think Milwaukee's skyline is still nice looking, even though it is not big.

[karfar]

Drive north on the Hoan Bridge at night, you'll find our skyline is really nice.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by karfar

Drive north on the Hoan Bridge at night, you'll find our skyline is really nice.

I agree. The Milwaukee skyline is underrated from certain angles because the city is essentially built in a valley, below the surrounding terrain. From other angles, it's very nice. Unfortunately, the "typical" cheesy Milwaukee tourist photos don't include the best angles.

[ImaloneJill]

Skyscrapers: just another target for terrorists. An amazing lakefront or coastline or riverfront is more impressive.

[city414]

Originally Posted by 43north87west

How does this statement relate to any other post in this thread?

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by city414

Congratulations. Your first post without a spelling or grammatical error.

Now, what was the point you were trying to make when profoundly observing that Chicago was bigger than Milwaukee, after removing the populations? Bigger how, geographically? Vertically?

[dabulls3285]

Milwaukee's skyline has much potential. It is diverse in color, style, and has a good balance of very old and more modern. I will never forget the video I watched where a couple from Eurpope were marveling at some of Milwaukee's very old and very ornate architecture.