Jan. 29, 2026 9:30p
(WGTD)---Kenosha’s Historic Preservation Commission refused Thursday night to put the final nail in the coffin of the former Eagles Club in downtown Kenosha.
The commission voted 4-1 against granting a certificate that would’ve allowed the currents owners—several members of the Madrigrano family—to demolish the nearly 100 year-old building.
Shirley Madrigrano bought the distinctive-looking structure in 1989 and started booking weddings and other events. But family member Eugene Brookhouse said that the business with its large, ornate ballroom was never profitable. And he said repairing the damage caused by a burst water pipe in 2024 in order to bring the place back to life isn’t financially feasible.
A development company is proposing to put up a seven-story luxury apartment building on the site, Brookhouse said.
Commissioner Bill Siel said at the meeting that he wasn’t in the mood to help pave the way for the destruction of another historic building. "It's probably the most historic significant structure that I've seen under threat in the 43 years that I have lived in Kenosha," Siel said. "I'm interested in preserving it and I'm interested in looking at other uses for the building."
Siel said he believes the Eagles building is in better shape than what the former Elks Club building was in just before a Madison developer stepped in to save and expand the structure, turning it into a hotel, restaurant and meeting rooms.
The commission vote against granting a certificate that could lead to demolition means that representatives of the city and the building owners will be asked to meet and make an earnest, last-ditch effort to save the building. But the Madrigrano family says all alternatives have already been explored.
If no agreement is reached within six months, then the owners, assuming a city raze permit is granted, can go ahead and tear it down without further adieu.
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