Demolition

After the Faith Works program left St. Mary’s Convent, the City of Milwaukee acquired the property and shopped it around to developers, but was unable to find an entity willing to take on the immense task of rehabilitating the convent. Prior to its demolition, the building retained much of its exterior integrity, despite sections that had deteriorated from deferred maintenance and vandalism.

The building was still recognizable as one associated with a large institution, with unaltered window openings and entrances.

However, slate was falling off the roof and allowing water to penetrate the interior. Missing gutters and downspouts, taken for their salvage value, had allowed water to stain exterior brick walls, and interior spaces suffered extensive water damage.

Facing other vast challenges, including hazardous materials abatement and nuisance complaints from neighboring properties, city officials opted to condemn and demolish the building.

With the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the state’s Historic Preservation Office and the city, the Department of Neighborhood Services found a contractor, and in January 2013 began the work of demolition and abatement.