On Aug. 3, 2026, the Madison Landmarks Commission faces two seemingly contradictory decisions: whether to recommend nominating Madison’s only extant Prohibition roadhouse, the Wonder Bar, to become a City of Madison landmark, or approve Range Hill Partners’ application for demolition of the Wonder Bar.
Back in 2021, the Landmarks Commission deemed the quirky brick turreted building with the colorful past an intact example of a Prohibition roadhouse and landmark-worthy representation of the Prohibition Era of U.S. history. More than 3,000 people signed a Save the Wonder Bar. The developer, who proposed replacing the Wonder Bar with a 18-story, 190-unit luxury apartment building, decided instead to come up with a solution that included the Wonder Bar.
However, the official decision to landmark the Wonder Bar was postponed until the developer finalized his plans, something he never did. Now, the Wonder Bar again faces the wrecking ball because Range Hill Partners has proposed replacing the Wonder Bar and Coliseum Bar with a seven-story, 190-unit apartment building…