Madison-based Wisconsin Public Radio recently moved its Milwaukee office and studio to a new location in downtown Milwaukee.
In an effort to save on rent, Madison-based Wisconsin Public Radio recently moved its Milwaukee office and studio to about 3,000 square feet of space at 310 W. Wisconsin Ave., formerly known as the Reuss Federal Plaza, in downtown Milwaukee. WPR’s Milwaukee office and studio was previously located in the Milwaukee Center at 111 E. Kilbourn Ave., also downtown.
"It’s a nice, new location," said Mike Crane, chief operating officer of WPR. "We were able to save on rent and increase studio capacity, so we’re thrilled to be here."
The new space, located on the seventh floor of the Reuss building, was not equipped with a studio. WPR custom built four new studios with upgraded soundproofing capability, so the noise of the street does not interfere with broadcasting.
All of WPR’s seven full time employees moved to the new location. The first broadcast from the new location came during the week of Christmas.
The relocation moves WPR from the 28-story Milwaukee Center, one of the downtown’s class A office building, to the 14-story Reuss building, which has struggled to attract tenants for years. The Milwaukee Center, owned by Chicago-based Transwestern Investment Company LLC, is more than 90 percent leased, but the Reuss building, owned by Philadelphia-based RAIT Investment Trust, is about 40 percent vacant.
Meanwhile, across the street from the Reuss building, WUWM is considering plans to relocate from its space in the basement of the Plankinton Building at 161 W. Wisconsin Ave. WUWM is currently reviewing proposals from building owners.
Both WPR and WUWM are National Public Radio affiliates.
— Rachelle Dragani
