Cream City Hostel

Cream City Hostel, located at 500 E. Center Street at the intersection of Milwaukee’s Harambee and Riverwest neighborhoods, was the first and only hostel located in the city.  Opened in 2019, the hostel transformed a neoclassical building that was originally built as a bank in 1927 into a cozy place for lodging that boasts 50 beds for travelers. More than 50 local neighbors came together as local investors in the project.

Unfortunately, the hostel was unable to survive the Covid-19 Pandemic and closed its doors for good shortly after opening.  The building is now home to 4-D Sobriety Housing.  While not the original vision for the building, this use keeps the project sustainable and contributes positively to the economic vibrancy of the neighborhood while also advancing a critical social mission.

In October, 2024, 4-D successfully completed a community fundraising effort that enabled the organization to acquire the building from the neighborhood investment group.  For more information check out the 4th Dimension Sobriety website.  The organization is a positive addition to the Riverwest neighborhood and the neighborhood investors received a return on their investment.

Download A Case Study in DIY Neighborhood Real Estate to learn more about this project.