Keith and Sharon Seib, the owners of Planet Bead, recently purchased a 95-year-old, 5-story, 12,500-square-foot, office building at 810 N. Plankinton Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. The building is vacant and was formerly occupied by Mid City Blue and architect J. Thomas Maher III’s firm.
The Seibs plan to remodel the building and will convert it into 12 to 20 artists studios and two art galleries on the ground floor. The building will be called Gestalt Riverwalk Art Studios, and will open in 2013.
One art gallery will be located along Plankinton Avenue and the other will be located on the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk gallery will be a permanent gallery with artwork created by Milwaukee artists. The Plankinton Avenue gallery will be used for special events, solo shows and Gallery Nights.
“The Seibs goal is to design an energetic, inspirational environment which is conducive to creativity,” according to a press release announcing the deal and project. “The building’s close proximity to downtown landmarks, its location on the Riverwalk and the combination of art studios and galleries will be an attraction and help promote the diversity of Milwaukee artists.”
Thomas Gale of Equity Commercial Real Estate represented the Seibs in brokering the sale. Matson Holbrook and Patrick Gallagher of Siegel-Gallagher represented the seller, Plankinton Professional Bldg. LLC.
