247 Freshwater

The Water Council is based at 247 Freshwater (formerly the Global Water Center) in the heart of Milwaukee’s world-class water technology hub. The turn-of-the century brick warehouse was converted into a state-of-the-art water business and research facility in 2013. The renovation was driven by sustainability, and the building not only achieved LEED Silver certification but was the first commercial building in the world to receive Alliance for Water Stewardship certification.

The building serves as a landing pad for organizations seeking to participate in the leading U.S. water technology hub and a launch pad for innovative water solutions.

247 Freshwater is the cornerstone of one of Wisconsin’s first Eco-Industrial Business Parks and a national model for urban sustainability. Once a brownfield, the 17-acre (6.9 hectares) business park includes mixed-use urban office, educational, research and technology businesses. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions moved its global headquarters from Pennsylvania to a new facility in the park in 2016. Rite-Hite, a company that manufactures dock equipment, industrial doors, safety barriers, industrial fans and other in-plant products, opened its new global headquarters and research and development building in 2023.