2003 Preservation Awards: Honorable Mention
Kaiser Hall
[photo: Joe Lusson]
1354 Williamson Street
John Sveum, owner
Arlan Kay, architect, Architecture Network Inc.
Award: Rescue and Restoration
Many near east side residents will recall the colorful building at 1354 Williamson Street as the home of artist Mona Webb. With its towering murals, mosaics of glass and ceramic pieces and, in the back, a two-story sculpture of concrete, chicken wire and everything else, it was a sight to behold. Inside, every inch was covered in folk art, with lots of religious or mystical icons. The original materials of the building, however, were not visible, nor in the greatest shape.
When Mona died in 1998, it seemed likely that someone would buy the building and request permission to bulldoze it.
John Sveum saw the potential of this imposing three-story frame building, with
its 14-foot ceilings, next door to Lazy Jane’s Cafe. Built in 1906, it originally
housed a tavern called Kaiser Hall, with two upper floors of apartments. It was
designed by Ferdinand Kronenberg who also designed the Cardinal Hotel (now the
Cardinal Bar), the late Hotel Washington, and many more.
Teaming with restoration architect Arlan Kay of Architecture Network Inc., Sveum
had done initial restoration, waiting for a future owner to finish the job. They
had to jack up one side of the building by eight inches, replace the roof and
windows, and remove the wide asbestos siding. Five coats of paint were removed
to reveal a large red brick fireplace on the first floor.
In April, Sveum sold the building to Steve Lotharious and Roz Anderson of Madison, who plan to move into the third floor, converting the second floor to apartments and the first floor to retail space. Lotharious and Anderson lived in the landmark Leitch House at E. Gorham and Livingston streets, running it as the Livingston Inn Bed and Breakfast until selling it recently.
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Other 2003 Award Winners
Kaiser Hall
