Grasslyn Manor

There are few simpler pleasures than the ability to lace up your shoes, stroll a block or two down the sidewalk and visit the neighborhood coffee shop, where your friends have already saved you a seat. Small perks like this make Grasslyn Manor such a homey Milwaukee neighborhood (not to mention its proximity to public schools).

Dense residential blocks comprise most of Grasslyn Manor, its 4,600-plus residents mainly living in homes built before or around World War II. Tudor is the dominant style here, with dozens of homes featuring prominent chimneys and tasteful mixes of worn brick and stone masonry. Similar materials appear on a handful of Colonials and Cape Cods around the neighborhood, while others include vinyl, wood or aluminum siding. Many lots back up to rear alleys with detached garages, but with well-shaded sidewalks flanking virtually every street, you won’t need to fire up the car too often. While home values average in the mid-$100,000s here, you might find a Cape Cod under 800 square feet for less than $90,000. Pricier homes can reach the $315,000 mark, which might land you an impeccably maintained three-bedroom Tudor with 2,200-plus square feet.

A block or two from many residents is Sherman Perk Coffee Shop, one of Grasslyn Manor’s most recognizable landmarks. Its Art Deco trappings once housed a gas station built in 1939, which sat abandoned for over a decade before owners Bob and Patrice Olin saved it from demolition. It’s been the neighborhood’s favorite java stop ever since, welcoming patrons to enjoy its casual, bohemian-living-room vibe. “It’s a safe gathering place where people can come and have locally sourced products — coffee, tea and bakery. We also feature local artists and musicians here on a very regular basis,” says Bob Olin. Because of the unique architecture, he adds, “We’ve had a number of independent movies that have been shot here.” Several other locally owned restaurants pop up around the neighborhood, including Uppa Yard, an easygoing Jamaican joint offering dishes including jerk, curry and brown stew chicken, as well as full bar service.

Two schools for kindergarten through eighth grade (one public, one private) operate in Grasslyn Manor, less than a 20-minute walk or five-minute bike ride for most residents. Fifty-Third Street School is part of Milwaukee Public Schools and offers creatively enriching classes and extracurriculars, from Lego robotics to African drumming. Across the street is Yeshiva Elementary School, a Jewish institution that’s served the neighborhood for over 30 years and has a four-star rating from the state department of public instruction. Meanwhile, ninth through 12th graders need only venture a few blocks from the neighborhood to attend Marshall High School’s STEAM-focused career program.

While Fifty-Third Street School’s classrooms are for kids and preteens, residents of all ages can visit the 53rd Street Community Garden on the school’s grounds. This neighborhood common area is impossible to miss (a kaleidoscopically painted picket fence guards it) and is a great spot to grow your green thumb. Speaking of local produce, from November through April, Grasslyn Manor is home to the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market, where local vendors sell fruit, vegetables, dairy and other products in a comfortable indoor setting. And during the warmer months, you can take your family and community gatherings a few blocks west to Dineen Park, which covers 64 acres and includes extensive walking paths, a scenic pond and various sports facilities.

When shopping needs arise, the Midtown Center shopping area sits across Capitol Drive to the north and features a Pick n Save grocery store, banks, department stores and more. And if you prefer to run errands in the city, Fond du Lac Avenue runs alongside Grasslyn Manor and offers less than a 15-minute drive to downtown Milwaukee.

Written By

John Battiston

Photography Contributed By

Hayley McCormick

Video By

Victoria York