From horseracing track to architecturally stunning neighborhood
For decades before it became a residential area, Cold Spring Park was a racetrack that drew horses and spectators from around the country. Today, the only horses seen are on community signs punctuating McKinley Boulevard to honor the neighborhood’s past. Less than 2 miles west of downtown Milwaukee, the neighborhood is now an official historic district known for its ornate, early-1900s houses. The community remains active thanks to the Cold Spring Park Neighborhood Association, per local expert Lindsey St. Arnold Bell. “They do all sorts of unique things like porch parties and music parties,” says Bell, executive director of Near West Side Partners, a nonprofit supporting this part of the city. She adds that the neighborhood has “great tree coverage, too. If you’re into a green neighborhood, it’s got that lush, verdant feel.”
Cold Spring Park has dense vegetation throughout the area.
A stunning row of homes in the Cold Spring Park neighborhood.
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Tall, ornate, century-old homes
Residences in the Cold Spring Park Historic District display such styles as Queen Anne, Elizabethan Revival and Arts and Crafts. Some tastefully combine brick, plaster and other materials with highly saturated touches of paint. Others feature wide front porches with a second-floor deck. The average single-family house is nearly 2,200 square feet, while many grander constructions have been subdivided into duplexes and apartments. McKinley Boulevard features some of the neighborhood’s most eye-opening builds. “These homes were built for big families,” says Chris Slinker, who owns Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Metro Realty in Wauwatosa. His background as a demographic strategist and a lifelong Milwaukeean gives him a thorough knowledge of local history. “If I drove you through the neighborhood, you’d probably be stunned at the architecture.” However, the neighborhood’s lower economic status and risk for violent crime result in home values below the city average. (CAP Index gives it a 9 out of 10 score for homicide and 8 out of 10 for robbery.) Prices generally range from $100,000 to $200,000, though some run-down duplexes can sell for as little as $10,000, while a well-maintained, six-bedroom Queen Anne can top $300,000.
Cold Spring Park provides a range of housing choices, from single-family homes to duplexes.
The average single-family home in Cold Spring Park is nearly 2,200 square feet.
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Two welcoming parks within walking distance
Several dynamic outdoor gathering spaces are within walking distance of many Cold Spring Park residents. Locals can sit on a bench in the Cold Spring Park Garden on the neighborhood’s east end at 28th Street and McKinley Boulevard. More expansive green spaces include Tiefenthaler Park, which covers 11 acres just a block northeast of the neighborhood. The park offers two colorfully painted basketball courts, a playground and a wading pool for cooling off in the summer. There’s also a multi-use sports field available for soccer and baseball leagues. A few blocks west of the neighborhood is Washington Park, a 128-acre Milwaukee gem. Miles of walking trails wind through the park’s tree-heavy green spaces, guiding visitors to an outdoor pool, a tranquil pond and an outdoor amphitheater, among other features.
A skateboarder shreds on a basketball court in Tiefenthaler Park.
Cold Spring Park residents can head to Washington Park for some fun outside.
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Blocks away from unique public schools
Kindergarten through eighth-grade students attend McLeod Bethune Academy a block northwest of the neighborhood. The school earns a C-minus grade from Niche and offers an English as a Second Language program. Most students go on to C-graded South Division High, though some may apply to attend Milwaukee High School of the Arts, which is about 4 blocks from the neighborhood’s east side. The arts schools admits students via audition and invites them to select an arts-focused major. Students can also enroll in Advanced Placement courses and learn engineering and design through Project Lead the Way.
Bethune Academy is proud of its English as a Second Language program.
Milwaukee High School of the Arts is a few blocks west of Cold Spring Park.
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Various ways to reach downtown Milwaukee
Interstate 94 is 1 mile south of Cold Spring Park, taking commuters 3 miles east to downtown. Drivers can also reach downtown via Highland Avenue, which runs alongside the neighborhood to the south. The Milwaukee County Transit System operates buses that stop at various spots around the neighborhood’s perimeter.
Cold Spring Park is less than 2 miles from the center of downtown Milwaukee.
Cold Spring Park residents can navigate the area using the MCTS.
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Near the cultural hub of Avenues West
St. Arnold Bell calls Cold Spring Park “a walkable residential neighborhood, but there aren’t a lot of businesses to walk to.” One exception is JJ Fish & Chicken, part of a small Milwaukee chain known for large servings of fried chicken, catfish and French fries. Market AB Asian Food offers a compact selection of groceries. Larger retailers such as Pick ‘n Save are about 1 mile away. More groceries are available at Metcalfe’s Market, Metro Market, and Walmart, all within about 3 miles. Meanwhile, the nearby Avenues West neighborhood is a historic and trendy area with one-of-a-kind restaurants and social spots. Among these is Five O’Clock Steakhouse, just a few blocks west of Cold Spring Park. Established in 1946, it’s a genuine, old-fashioned supper club that carefully presents drinks, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and entertainment in an hours-long experience. “Milwaukee doesn’t have many of those Wisconsin supper clubs because they’re so popular in outstate Wisconsin, but Five O’Clock is truly one of those,” says VISIT Milwaukee Communications Director Claire Koenig.
Five O'Clock Steakhouse has been serving serving the area for over 70 years.
Fresh produce can be found at Market AB Asian Food in Cold Spring Park.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tonya Thomsen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Tiefenthaler Park
Merrill Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Tennis
Washington Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Pool
Norris Park
Multi-Purpose Field
Harley Park
Multi-Purpose Field
Phillips Park
Basketball
Playground
Walking Paths
Transit
Airport
General Mitchell International
18 min drive
Bus
N27 & Juneau
Bus
Highland & N29
Bus
N27 & Highland
Bus
Highland & N33
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Cold Spring Park
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Cold Spring Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Cold Spring Park, Milwaukee sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Cold Spring Park, Milwaukee over the last 12 months is $169,500, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Great location! This corner lot offers good visibility in Milwaukee's Concordia Neighborhood with rising property values zoned for residential development. This area is becoming a trendy spot where new homeowners and renters add to the growth of the area. Less than 10 minutes to downtown in a residential neighborhood with rich historic significance. Close to American Family Field and easy access
Jack TempestaMahler Sotheby's International Realty
Prime Investment Opportunity in Milwaukee! This 10-unit multifamily property offers 2BD/1BA apartments with private balconies in most units. Convenient split building design with two front entrances with 5 units on each side, two separate coin laundry and common spaces. Each unit has individual HVAC and electrical meters. Exterior features include a fenced in backyard, rear parking slab for 5
Huge duplex on a corner lot steps from Harley Davidson and Miller Valley. Close to Public Transportation, Marquette, and the Freeway. Lots of development happening in the area. Hardwood floors throughout, newer windows, mechanicals, and roof as well as updated electrical. Come take a look!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tonya Thomsen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,206
Median Age
37
Population Density
36 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$20,793
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$37,458
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.5%
College Graduates
15.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.6%
% Population in Labor Force
54.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
66/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
66/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
56/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
