Look for a tall, dark green building right on the corner of East Wisconsin Avenue and North Water Street, next to the Milwaukee River-you can’t miss its sleek, modern look rising over downtown.
Take a moment to gaze up-yes, way up!-at the 22-story Chase Tower. Imagine it’s 1961, and Milwaukee’s skyline has just been shaken up by this modern giant, then called Marine Plaza. With its sharply dressed International Style, the building has a certain James Bond vibe; you half expect someone in a suit to pop out and hand you a secret dossier. Back then, at 288 feet, it was the second-tallest in the city-only beat out in 1973 by the U.S. Bank Center. Locals watched as technology and ambition became concrete and glass right by the river.
Over the years, the tower has played host to a parade of important tenants, from the bustling Marine Bank days, to the era of Bank One Plaza, and now the big Chase Bank at the heart of it all. Down below, there's even an underground vault-so if you’ve got any spare gold bars, you know where to keep them! Modern Milwaukeeans hustle through a maze of eateries and radio studios-yep, you’re right near Milwaukee Public Radio's home base. Above, lawyers, bankers, and retirees keep things lively. To keep everyone moving, skywalks connect the Tower not just to parking, but even across the river. No need to brave Wisconsin snow if you don’t want to!
Since Group RMC took over in 2021, the Tower’s gotten a major glow-up, with glittering lounges and a slick fitness center-fancy enough to make even the vault jealous. Every floor, every lobby has a new shine, making this former Marine Plaza a true Milwaukee classic ready for its next chapter. So, next time you hear someone call it “just an office building,” you’ll know it’s a little more than meets the eye.
