Building Description
Built in 1912 as the Wm. Rohnert Coffee Roasting Mill, 217 N. Broadway is one of Milwaukee’s most remarkable surviving industrial spaces and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While thoughtfully adapted for contemporary use, the building retains much of its original coffee-roasting infrastructure, including cast-iron machinery manufactured by Josiah Burns & Sons Machine Foundry. Visitors can experience the exposed network of coffee roasters, storage hoppers, cup elevators, and drop chutes that once powered the building’s operations, offering a rare glimpse into Milwaukee’s industrial heritage.
Today, the third floor is home to One Hundred Percent Milwaukee, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to supporting the next generation of Milwaukee artists. Through free studio and exhibition space, professional development opportunities, and an inclusive creative community, the organization removes barriers for emerging artists while enriching the city’s cultural landscape. During Doors Open Milwaukee, guests can explore this extraordinary historic space where Milwaukee’s industrial past and creative future come together under one roof.
Visitor Experience
Visitors will climb the original stairway into a light-filled third-floor loft where history and creativity meet. The gallery features works by One Hundred Percent Milwaukee’s resident artists, with rotating exhibitions showcasing painting, photography, mixed media, and other contemporary works. Throughout the studio, artists’ works-in-progress offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, while finished pieces are available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to explore the historic industrial setting, engage with the artwork, and discover how this remarkable space continues to inspire Milwaukee’s next generation of artists.
Address
217 N Broadway
Saturday Hours
10 am - 5 pm
Sunday Hours
10 am - 5 pm
Photography
Photography allowed, Videography allowed
Accessibility
Not accessible