Artisan Partners, a global investment management firm founded in Milwaukee, announced today that it signed a major, long-term lease at 875 E. Wisconsin Ave. as the firm plans for its future and growth in the downtown Milwaukee area.
Founded in Milwaukee in 1994, Artisan Partners has expanded globally since that time. The majority of the firm’s employees are located in Milwaukee. The city remains the firm’s headquarters and one of its five major offices. San Francisco, Atlanta, New York and London are the firm’s other principal office locations.
Artisan Partners’ Milwaukee office is home to the Artisan Partners Growth Team, one of the firm’s five autonomous investment teams, the firm’s U.S. trading desk, a large part of its distribution and client service team, and most of its marketing and communications, information technology, legal and compliance, trade operations, corporate finance, accounting and human capital professionals.
“Artisan Partners has consistently been able to attract very talented professionals from all over the country to our Milwaukee office, in part because of the growing vibrancy of the downtown community,” said Bob Batchelor, managing director and head of marketing and communications for Artisan Partners. “As we plan for the future, we believe the Milwaukee area will play a crucial role in helping us continue to attract and retain a high-quality workforce.”
The building at 875 E. Wisconsin Ave. is owned by an investment group managed by Wangard Advisors, which is part of Wangard’s group of companies.
“This lease renewal is a major success for downtown Milwaukee,” said Stewart Wangard, chief executive officer and chairman of Wangard. “Since Wangard acquired the 875 building in 2007, it has been brought to full occupancy and has been one of the most popular buildings downtown. We will continue to work closely with Artisan Partners to address their growth needs moving forward.”
Because of Artisan Partners’ continued growth in Milwaukee, Wangard worked with Eppstein Uhen Architects, Inc. to design an expansion of the 875 building to accommodate Artisan Partners’ future needs.
The expansion of the 875 building includes plans for up to 9 stories and more than 165,000 square feet of space. It would be built on top of the existing parking structure, and would utilize the existing street entrance of the 875 building and much of the same building materials in construction.
“Milwaukee’s downtown is experiencing a resurgence driven by new technology, new companies and young professionals who are looking for an urban lifestyle, and Artisan Partners is a significant part of that,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. “This announcement sends positive reverberations throughout the city because great things are ahead for both Artisan Partners and Milwaukee’s downtown.”
