Milwaukee’s downtown Water Street scene is buzzing with questions after the building housing Red Rock Saloon was purchased by an entity linked to the owners of the popular Red Lion Pub. Located at 1221-1227 N. Water St., the property transfer has sparked speculation about the future of Red Rock Milwaukee and the potential changes coming to this well-known entertainment spot.
Red Rock Saloon Milwaukee Exterior
State real estate records reveal that Impala DK, LLC, an entity with Jeffrey A. Kovacovich, Jr. as its registered agent, acquired the building for $1.7 million. Kovacovich is also identified as one of the owners of Red Lion Pub, situated on Tannery Row at 1850 N. Water St. This connection between the buyer and the Red Lion Pub, a respected establishment on Milwaukee’s East Side, adds an intriguing layer to the transaction. The seller was Gremark Corp., with Mark S. Gleisner as the registered agent.
Red Lion Pub’s ownership is further solidified by Red Lion Real Estate, LLC, whose registered agent is Christopher Tinker, also an owner of the pub. The proximity of Red Lion Pub and Red Rock Saloon, being about a mile apart on Water Street, amplifies the curiosity surrounding the purchase.
As of now, attempts to reach Red Lion Pub owners for comments have been unsuccessful. This leaves the plans for the Red Rock Saloon building, and consequently for Red Rock Milwaukee itself, shrouded in uncertainty. Red Rock Saloon is part of the Wild Hospitality Group, which also manages McGillycuddy’s Bar and Grill on N. Water Street and another Red Rock Saloon location in Madison. The sale opens up various possibilities for the prime downtown Milwaukee location and what it might mean for the future of entertainment in the area.
