Muneer's House

This split-level, wood-frame craftsman house, with retail space on the ground floor and a residential flat on the upper level was built in 1918. It serves as a prototype for the mixed-use buildings that once lined Lisbon Avenue. This house has a long history. Many residents have lived and made a living in this building, all leaving it slightly changed and imposing their identity on the space.      

​House History Timeline
1918- Permit to build Wood frame house
Architect: W.P. Kennedy
Mason: Krueger Construction & Cement Co.
Carpenter: J. Kennedy
The structure was built to be a mixed-use building, but has a very unique layout that suggests a strong connection between the living and working spaces. There are two distinct entrances on the front face of the building, but the rear exit is shared via a staircase into the retail space.

1920- Joseph J Schaefer, jeweler: owner/occupant
Lisbon Avenue had grown into a commercial street with many mixed-use buildings with stores or shops on the lower lever and flats above. This allowed artisans and professionals, such as jewelers, doctors, butchers, cobblers, and candle makers to settle in this area. It may have been this fact that drew the Schaefer family to move here from the nearby 2405 Vine St. location. This family resided in this house till 1965.
 
[Additionally, this building may have been the headquarters for the American Indian Movement during the 1960's in Milwaukee.] 

1967- Marvin Bensman, Income tax office
Owner: Howard Wood

1968- Donald Weedall, Soap retail and office space
Owner: Howard Wood
Alterations in figure 1 see gallery

1969- [Albert] Ertl, Rummage Sale Store
Owner: Howard Wood

1969- Dolores Hanson, Social Club
Owner: Howard Wood
Alterations in figure 2 see gallery           
Alterations were made to the first floor, adding a parlor and game room.

1975- Roosevelt McIntyre, pool hall
Owner: Nick Zaharopoulos

1977- Lee Williams, Sweet Shop
Owner: Nick Zaharopoulos

1980- Leon Davis, Sweet Shop
Owner: Nick Zaharopoulos
 
1981- Tamica Love, Sweet Shop
Owner: Nick Zaharopoulos
 
1984- Kevin Hickles, Sweet Shop
Owner: Nick Zaharopoulos
 
1985- Christina Meyers, Retail
Owner: Nick Zaharopoulos

1991- Building condemned
The building was condemned and owner Nicholas Zaharopoulos took legal action.                
Nicholas Zaharopoulos v. Lee C. Jensen & City
                  Case No. 91-cv-008-018
 
2005- Bought by Rohnda A. Greer
 
2008- Muneer Bahauddeen, Artisan (ceramics)
Owner: David N. Boucher

The current owner has updated the house with his own personal touches, including a tile backsplash in the residential flat. His presence is really felt in the lower level ceramics studio, where he works on his own projects and holds community workshops.
 

figure 1 image source: City Permits

figure 2 image source: City Permits

Lisbon front façade source: City of Milwaukee