What to know about Milwaukee's Brewers Hill neighborhood

Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read
Jeff Fleming, Director Of Communications for the Office of the Mayor, walks his dog Kooper in the Brewers Hill neighborhood on Friday December 8, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wis. Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jeff Fleming, Director Of Communications for the Office of the Mayor, walks his dog Kooper in the Brewers Hill neighborhood on Friday December 8, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wis. Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Formerly an industrial area, Brewers Hill in Milwaukee — one of the city's 75-plus distinct neighborhoods — is now home to an array of restaurants and stores.

If you're new to the neighborhood, or planning your visit, here's what you need to know.

More: How many neighborhoods are there in Milwaukee? Here's why there's no 'right' answer.

Where is Brewers Hill?

Brewers Hill is located north of downtown between North Holton Street and North King Drive. The neighborhood spans to North Avenue, and the Milwaukee River makes up its southern border.

Once an industrial neighborhood, Brewers Hill faced decline between 1950 and 1970

Developing in the late 19th century, Brewers Hill was situated between factories and a retail corridor. Houses in the neighborhood included both large mansions and smaller homes, as — prior to the development of the streetcar system in the 1910s — everybody had to live within walking distance of the factory where they worked.

The neighborhood's proximity to the Milwaukee River attracted industrial operations like sawmills, flour mills, tanneries and the Schlitz Brewery.

The neighborhood saw decline through the 1900s as businesses started to leave the area. About 700 homes were demolished between 1950 and 1970.

Schlitz Brewery was sold and closed in 1982.

Condos and townhouses born from former factories and warehouses

Interest in the Brewers Hill neighborhood as a place to live grew in the 1990s, and factories and warehouses have become condos and townhouses.

Even local athletes have become part of the redevelopment action, including former Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker, who converted an empty Palmer Street warehouse into a 6,800-foot loft with a five-car garage, rooftop entertaining space and an indoor basketball court.

Brewers Hill features popular restaurants, shops

Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern does indeed have a tavern look, with a large bar area and small tables along the walls.
Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern does indeed have a tavern look, with a large bar area and small tables along the walls.

Looking to explore some restaurants in Brewers Hill? Here are a few to try:

RELATED: Modern Greek restaurant Avli opens in former View MKE space in Brewers Hill

Wolf Eyes dogwood on the Sanger House property. The owners estimate that they have between 400 and 500 different types of plants and flowers.
Wolf Eyes dogwood on the Sanger House property. The owners estimate that they have between 400 and 500 different types of plants and flowers.

Visitors to Brewers Hill have many options for things to do, including:

  • A tour of Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N Commerce St., for some facts and, of course, beer

  • Visit Sanger House Gardens, 1823 N Palmer St., and view the over 400 different plant varieties.

  • Stroll along the Beerline B Riverwalk that spans from the former North Avenue Dam south to approximately Juneau Avenue.

New to the neighborhood? Here's what you need to know:

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Brewers Hill neighborhood guide