The Powerhouse
In September of 1905, the Power House was completed, containing the heating and lighting plants and the steam laundry. It was designed by Gates, Weiss, and Cramer architects. This building was razed in 1970 when UWM’s new Central Heating Plant was put into operation.
Infirmary:
A separate infirmary building was funded by Elizabeth Plankinton and opened in March of 1906. The Powerhouse and infirmary were both designed by Howland Russell.
The Lodge
The Lodge was built as a bus shelter for Milwaukee-Downer College City Students.
The Superintendent’s House
The Superintendent’s house was built in 1914 on the northwestern corner of campus. It was designed by Howland Russell, and built at an estimated cost of $5,200. Throughout the years, it was called Johnny’s House and Bell House after the two superintendents that lived there, John W. Young and John C. Bell.
This building was called Residence West when it was acquired by UWM. The University Police occupied it from 1964 to 1971. It was then used by the Anthropology Department and the Art Department until it was razed in 1975 for construction of the Klotsche Center.
The Engineer’s Residence
The Engineer’s Residence was built in 1912 behind Holton Hall, in the center of campus so that Milwaukee-Downer College’s engineer could make repairs to the buildings. It was designed by Howland Russell, and built at an estimated cost of $2,500.
This building was used as an electrical shop by UWM, and was called Residence East. This building was also razed in 1970 when UWM’s new Central Heating Plant was put into operation.
Albert Sivyer Memorial Hall
A new building to house the music department was funded with a $10,000 gift from Mr. And Mrs. Frederick Sivyer. The music hall was designed by Alexander Eschweiler, and completed in February of 1907. It was named Albert Memorial Hall after the Sivyer’s son Albert Edward.
The building contained 18 practice rooms, 6 studios and a library. Soon after its completion, two arcades connecting it to Holton and McLaren Hall were constructed. These passageways were also used as conservatories for plants.
The area enclosed by these buildings became Hawthornden, a green space on campus with a sundial and seating. Hawthornden also served as an outdoor theater and event space for celebrations like May Day.
When UWM acquired the downer buildings, a study was done in May of 1965 to record the current conditions of the buildings and make recommendations for their use.
The report for Albert Hall said that the building would need a completely new heating system, and that would only extend the building’s life by about five years. The remodeling costs including fees was estimated to be $125,567.
According to the report, “In view of the excessive sq. ft. cost of remodeling the building, it is recommended that it be taken out of service and demolished as soon as suitable quarters can be found for the occupying department.”
Albert Hall was used to house UWM’s School of Social Welfare until it was demolished on August 5th, 1970.
President’s House
President's House by Cael Byrne
Building Plans
Beginning in 1947-48 there was an ominous decline in student enrollment at Milwaukee Downer College. While Milwaukee Downer College was facing a decline, there were still plans to build several new buildings.
In 1959, UWM bought the Seminary Buildings for $1,550,000. The board of trustees of Milwaukee-Downer College voted to earmark $550,000 from that sale towards a new Commons-Union Building. Kimberly Hall had been renovated into a student union in the 1950s, but this would be a much larger building.
According to an article in the Downer Dial on February 19th, 1960, the Commons Union Building would be designed by Eschweiler & Eschweiler, and built to the northeast of Chapman Memorial Library.
The building would house a main dining room with a capacity of 700, a lobby, information desk, snack bar, bookstore, and recreation and meeting rooms for all students. Unfortunately, this building was never built.
Norris Health Center, New Infirmary and Johnston Remodeling Begun, The Downer Dial April 13, 1961, Lawrence Lux, Milwaukee-Downer College Student Newspapers 
Room in Health Center, From the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives, Milw Mss L Series 9 Volume 2 
Norris Health Center. Credit: Cael Byrne Credit: Cael Byrne
In 1961, there were plans to build a new Infirmary building. According to an article in the Downer Dial on April 13th, 1961, it would be built east of the old Infirmary building.
The new Infirmary building would have a 12 bed capacity, a fully-equipped kitchen with sterilizing facilities, a dining area for recovering patients, as well as living quarters for the nurse and her assistant.
This building would become the Norris Health Center, which was the last building built by Milwaukee Downer College. It was completed in 1961, When UWM acquired it, they named it after the late Robert E. Norris, UWM’s first Dean of Student Affairs.
In 1962, there were plans to build a new residence hall in two stages. According to an article in the Downer Dial on April 26th, 1962, the building would be built on Hartford Avenue in front of Chapman Memorial Library, and have an eventual capacity of 300.
The new Residence Hall would be a three-story structure with three wings connected to a main hub in the center similar to how UWM’s Sandburg Hall would be built. Each wing would have a spacious living room.
According to the article, “It should be a pleasure for Downer students to look forward to the prospect of seeing Downer grow in the wake of the expected enrollment’ boom. The foresight of our administration and all concerned parties is to be commended.”
However, that expected enrollment boom would never come, and Milwaukee-Downer College merged with Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin two years later.