Milwaukee's Quasimondo Physical Theatre to restore former north side firehouse into performance hall

A Milwaukee theater group plans to buy and restore a historic former north side firehouse into its performance hall, rehearsal space and classrooms.

Quasimondo Physical Theatre wants to redevelop a vacant two-story red brick building at 5151 N. 35th St., according to a new Department of City Development report.

That 9,900-square-foot building, constructed in 1901, once served as the home of the North Milwaukee Fire Station and Village Hall. North Milwaukee was a separate municipality that became part of the city of Milwaukee.

The building, known for its distinct 56-foot tower, would become the new venue for Quasimondo, which has presented more than 30 original productions at various locations since its 2012 launch. It would be renamed North Milwaukee Art Haus.

Quasimondo also would operate rehearsal space, dance studios and classrooms on the building's second floor, with administrative offices and the scene/costume shop on the ground floor, according to the city report.

Quasimondo started in rented space at the Fortress Building, 100 E. Pleasant St., which is now being converted into apartments and offices.

The theater group later operated at the former Linens N' Things space, at the Grand Avenue's Plankinton Arcade. That building also is now being redeveloped, and Quasimondo has since operated at other venues.

With its own building, Quasimondo could focus more on its productions and spend less time on finding rehearsal and performance space, said Brian Rott, Quasimondo's president and artistic director.

Also, a permanent home would help Quasimondo build stronger ties with the community, he said Thursday. That would include through classes.

"It's important to have a place for people to come back and get to know you," Rott said.

 The Art Haus project's historic preservation efforts would include interior and exterior restoration, tuck pointing repair and restoration of windows and doors.

Quasimondo also wants to add energy-efficient features, as well as new mechanical systems. Other work would include roof repairs, asbestos removal and water damage repair, according to the city report.

The city, which acquired the building in 2012 through property tax foreclosure, would sell it for $45,000.

The sale needs Common Council approval. The council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee is to review the proposal at its Tuesday meeting.

The building's estimated renovation costs are $190,000. Rott has applied for grants from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Herzfeld Foundation, and will seek a loan from Wells Fargo Bank as well as city funding.

Quasimondo's productions include “Kama Sutra,” which Milwaukee Journal Sentinel critic Mike Fischer named as an honorable mention to his 2016 list of best Wisconsin theater productions.

Rott is currently directing “The Performance Ecology Project,” which runs through Sunday at the nature preserve next to Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Place. That production is being staged by Cooperative Performance in a collaboration with Quasimondo.

Tom Daykin can be reached at  tdaykin@jrn.com.