Work is nearing completion on a $750,000 renovation project to create a second event space at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, 901 W. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee.
“We appear to be all systems go for my son’s wedding on Aug. 23,” said Jim Haertel, the owner of Best Place.
Best Place is the former Pabst corporate offices and visitor center at the Pabst brewery complex in downtown Milwaukee. Best Place hosts events in its 2,000-square-foot Blue Ribbon Hall, which has become a popular wedding venue on weekends. But the space has also been used for business events.
The renovation project is creating a second event space in a 5,000-square-foot space that includes Capt. Frederick Pabst’s former office.
The new space will be called The Great Hall. H. Russell Zimmerman of Zimmerman Design Consultants designed the space. The space will have a 9-foot by 12-foot Best Place medallion logo on a wood floor that will be installed and a vintage 1895 bar moved from Michigan. Historic features of the room include stained glass windows, a skylight and other architectural details.
Haertel has already booked 40 weddings in the room, even though the work has not been completed yet. Pabst and Harley-Davidson have also already booked events there, he said.
“It’s phenomenal,” Haertel said. “I’m amazed myself. The response has been fantastic.”
