600 EAST Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee WI

Eat, Work and Connect at 600 EAST Café & Business Center.

Downtown Milwaukee’s Destination for Coffee, Workspace & Events

Located in a beautifully restored historic building on East Wisconsin Avenue, 600 EAST Café & Business Center is a downtown Milwaukee destination that blends local flavor with modern function. The café serves thoughtfully sourced breakfast and lunch options, including premium-roast coffee, seasonal bakery goods, hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, and wraps made with top-quality Wisconsin ingredients. Attached to the café, the Business Center offers flexible workspaces, meeting rooms, and event venues equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, video conferencing, and modern amenities—making it the perfect spot to grab a bite, get work done, and connect with others in a stylish, professional setting.

600 EAST Café

Enjoy a wide selection of coffee, specialty drinks and bakery alongside tasty soups, sandwiches, salads and wraps. Our seasonal breakfast, lunch and catering menus focus on local ingredients and premium-quality meats and cheeses from Wisconsin vendors.

600 EAST Business Center

Looking for flexible work, meeting or event space in the heart of Milwaukee’s central business district? Whether you’re looking for private office space, meeting rooms or space for a networking event, we can accommodate you. Our business amenities include dependable, high-speed internet and wireless video conferencing capabilities.

Giannis Mural

The Milwaukee Bucks are larger than life downtown. We take that literally. Local artist Mauricio Ramirez painted a three-story mural of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the east side of our building. Check it out and while you are here and grab a coffee or lunch from the cafe!

Over 100 Years of History

You’ll find as much history in the building’s construction as you will in its past tenants. Built of functional Douglas fir timber, Chicago pink brick and hand-forged steel beams, the building was once home to the Milwaukee Gas Light Company, Spencerian Business College and even the Great Circus Parade.

1912

The 600 EAST building was designed by renowned local architects Schnetzky & Sons for the Milwaukee Gas Light Company and built in 1912.

1929

By 1929, the Milwaukee Gas Light Company had outgrown the space and built a much larger building next door at 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, now known as the Gas Light Building.

1931

In 1931, the upper two stories of the building became the home of the Spencerian Business College, one of the first business schools in the nation.

1951

By 1951, the Spencerian Business College had moved out and was replaced by several tenants, including the Ambition Shoe Repair Shop and Lyon Drug Company.

1988

Many small businesses would call the building home between 1951 and 2006, including Ben Barkin, founder of the Great Circus Parade, in 1988. Barkin’s public relations firm occupied parts of the building, while the lower level housed the Great Circus Parade’s Big Toppe Shoppe.

2006

In 2006, Dan Nelson purchased the building and immediately began the renovation process. Preserving the building’s historic architecture was crucial, and an emphasis was placed on restoring the brick walls and wooden rafters. In May 2014, the 600 EAST Café & Business Center opened to the public.

Eat, Work and Connect at 600 EAST Café & Business Center.