Feb. 1, 2026 10:30a
(WGTD)---A commitment to the community and an emotional attachment kept the former Eagles Club building in downtown Kenosha afloat long after the event venue was profitable. That’s the message the current owners of the historic structure took to the city’s Historic Preservation Commission last week.
Members of the Madrigrano family are seeking permission to demolish the building which sustained over a million dollars in water damage two years ago, making, in their view, continued operation impossible.
Co-owner Eugene Brookhouse noted that Shirley Madrigrano and her husband, both since deceased, bought the building in 1989. "She and Joseph recognized the history of the building and appreciated its appearance and place in the City of Kenosha," he said. "We agree--the three of us--that the features, the finishes and the construction techniques are distinctive."
The building was operated as Madrigrano Marina Shores, open for weddings, banquets and a variety of other events. Its most distinctive space is a 13-hundred seat ballroom.
The family says the 2024 damage from a burst water pipe, coupled with a lower demand for what the building has to offer, would make repairs and continued operation unfeasible. "Joseph Madrigrano and his family have caused the preservation of this property for over 35 years even when operating it as an economic loss," Brookhouse said. "But they can not continue to do that."
The commission, however, voted last week against granting a certificate to demolish the building. An ordinance requires the city and the owners to sit down to at least discuss options.
At last week’s meeting, commission member Bill Siel said other uses for the building should be fully explored.
If the building is demolished, a developer is expected to seek approval from the city for a seven-story luxury apartment building.
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