For more than a century, Filer & Stowell was a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s industrial heritage. Today, the 10-acre site in the city’s Bay View neighborhood is being transformed by Bear Development into a vibrant new residential community. 
Sign Effectz is proud to contribute to this exciting next chapter by designing, fabricating, and installing a complete sign package that helps bring the redevelopment to life.
Our scope of work includes canopies, wayfinding signage, ADA-compliant interior signs, and exterior identification—all created to support the reimagined use of this historic property. The goal was to blend modern functionality with design details that pay tribute to the site’s industrial past.
Each exterior canopy highlights the entrances to key buildings and selected windows, incorporating durable materials and finishes that reflect Milwaukee’s hardworking legacy while delivering a fresh, contemporary look. Inside, wayfinding and ADA signage guide residents and visitors seamlessly through the complex, creating an intuitive, accessible environment.
Because the property is being redeveloped from manufacturing to residential use, material compatibility and installation logistics were crucial. Our fabrication team engineered each component to ensure long-term performance through Wisconsin’s changing seasons.
The End Result
The result is cohesive signage that not only enhances navigation but also strengthens the identity of this new community rising where industry once thrived. Every element reflects Sign Effectz’s ability to merge craftsmanship, branding, and functionality to create lasting visual impact.
The Filer & Stowell historical redevelopment is one of Milwaukee’s most significant adaptive reuse projects—and Sign Effectz is proud to play a role in shaping its visual and functional transformation.
    
   
