When Doors Open Milwaukee rolls around, beckoning visitors to explore hundreds of city buildings and landmarks, some adventurers strive to see as many spots as one weekend will allow. One such “super searcher” is Matthew Hooper, a Milwaukee production designer. Hooper sets an annual goal of more than 10 site visits and documents his tours on Instagram (@matthoopsmke).
He says while Downtown landmarks are must-sees, including the Central Library and the ornate Mitchell and Mackie buildings, the real gems are out in Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. His strategy is picking a neighborhood – “especially ones I don’t spend a lot of time in” – and visiting as many of its Doors Open sites as he can (and dining at a local restaurant). Last year, he chose Harambee, touring businesses like She Slangs Wood after refreshments at Kuumba Juice and Coffee.
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Given his design background, Hooper is most drawn to places that spare no detail. “There are these amazing carvings on all four faces of the (City Hall) bell tower that you (can hardly) see from the street.”
One of his favorite stops is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block, six homes designed by the famed architect and built in the 1910s to showcase his approach to affordability. While Hooper acknowledges that visitors should expect long lines, he also notes a nearby fleet of taco trucks for hungry queuers.
He doesn’t repeat sites often from year to year, except when there are brand-new guided tours. Hooper says that the impressive historical knowledge of Doors Open volunteer guides makes for excellent special tours that offer new perspectives on places he thought he was already familiar with. “Tours and ticketed events sometimes require a bit more planning, but they are well worth it,” he adds.
Hooper’s IG posts began during 2018’s Doors Open, when the Hyatt Regency’s rotating rooftop offered a hotel stay as a prize for selected visitors who posted pictures in the space to social media. The raffle entry organically became a creative outlet for Hooper, who documents his travels across the state, country and globe. He loves learning about the age-old architecture of any city he visits, but he’s especially proud of Milwaukee’s robust culture of historic preservation.
Hooper feels the event challenges preconceived notions about Milwaukee and its neighborhoods. “You (could) walk past the same places every day not knowing anything about them,” he says. “This is how you can really get to know what your community is up to.”
Doors Open Milwaukee runs Sept. 26-27.
