The Knickerbocker On The Lake has been a part of the Milwaukee
landscape since 1929. This historic hotel underwent a transformation
in 1984 when the building was converted into condos.
All seven floors are privately owned, but the building is still a
boutique hotel where guests can stay in a single room or up to three
bedrooms for a night.
Actor and comedian John McGivern has lived in the building since
2002 and currently resides with his partner, Steve Brandt, in a
2,200-square-foot space with magnificent views of Lake Michigan, the
Calatrava and the Summerfest grounds.
"I love that we are in a hotel and no one has any clue that
this kind of space exists," says McGivern.
When McGivern and Brandt moved into the condo, they remodeled the
kitchen and repainted the entire space in soft, earthy tones.
McGivern’s favorite thing about his home is right outside his
windows: "I love the views and that it’s close enough to the
street. We are only six floors up so you feel you are still part of
the city."
 |
The living
room is by far the largest space in the condo at 22 by 25 feet.
The taupe-colored walls and crown molding lend an elegant and
comfortable ambiance to the room. McGivern collected the stained
glass windows hung on the far wall when he was on tour around the
country. He purchased them at antique stores and shipped them back
home. The windows on display are just a small example of his
entire collection, which numbers more than 150. Four large windows
with a southern exposure provide plenty of sunlight and warmth
during the chilly winter days.
|
An antique
drafting table with 1930s bar stools is the perfect place for a
cup of coffee in the morning. "They are really solid and
sturdy; we love them," says McGivern. The white cabinets
and stainless steel hardware work well with the gray tones in
the countertops and glass-tiled backsplash. Burgundy walls
accent the cabinets and the absence of cabinet doors is a
refreshing change that shows off McGivern’s grandmother’s
colorful jars.
|
 |
