UWM's Kenilworth Building is seeing some exterior renovations. Here's what to know

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Kenilworth Building − among the east side's most prominent landmarks − is undergoing some noticeable exterior renovations.

That work is being done throughout the facade of the Kenilworth Building − which actually is two connected buildings. That project could continue into 2026.

Here's what to know.

Kenilworth Building houses UWM facilities, retail space

The six-story, 500,000-square-foot Kenilworth Building features University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate student apartments as well as Peck School of the Arts’ creative research facility.

The building, which is south of East Kenilworth Place between North Farwell and North Prospect avenues, includes first-floor commercial space.

Those retail tenants include Urban Outfitters, Bisou Nails & Spa and Anytime Fitness.

Kenilworth Building once housed a Ford auto plant

The Prospect Avenue portion was built by Ford Motor Co. in 1915, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

It was used as an automobile assembly plant until 1942, when the building was sold to the federal government, which then built the Farwell Avenue portion. The expanded building was used by defense contractors until 1969.

UWM began using the property in 1971 for storage as well as housing the university’s motor pool, mailroom and print shop. A $68 million redevelopment into student apartments and other new uses was completed in 2006.

UWM is doing repairs to the building's facade

Facade repairs are being made to the building facing Farwell Avenue. That work has a $1.8 million budget and is to be completed this fall, according to UWM.

Facade repairs on the building facing Prospect Avenue are in the design stage. That work, with an estimated $6.22 million budget, is to begin in about 12 to 18 months. Its final timeline hasn't yet been determined.

The repairs are needed because the degraded facade raises public safety concerns, said Angelica Duria, UWM director of strategic communications. The Prospect Avenue building has been temporarily reinforced to prevent pieces from falling to the sidewalk and street − similar to safety netting recently added to City Hall.

New brick facade will match the building's historic look

The Prospect Avenue building repairs will install new brick "in matching color and patterns with no changes to the present look," Duria said.

The Kenilworth Building isn't designated as historic by the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission. Buildings with commission designation must seek city approval for any exterior work.

Despite that, Duria said, "UWM’s work on this project safeguards the building’s architectural integrity."

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram , X and Facebook .

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UWM's Kenilworth Building is seeing some exterior renovations. Here's what to know