Madison Wisconsin news: Will it be another coulda-woulda-shoulda experience for the building at 122 State Street?

 

Photo by Retiring Guy

Rendering and headline:  Wisconsin State Journal, 6/8/2026

Nicole Pollock reports:

A six-story building that has long sat vacant at the top of State Street may be about to take on new life, this time without its arched facade. A Madison developer is advancing plans to overhaul the building with a new exterior and apartments on the upper floors instead of office space. 

Constructed as a YWCA in the 1910s, the building at 122 State St. extends through the block to the intersection of North Carroll and West Dayton streets. For the first half of the building’s existence, blocks of stone framed the State Street entrance beneath arched windows that spanned multiple stories. The brick arches were added and the windows simplified in the 1970s. 

The building most recently housed various nonprofits and The Fountain bar and restaurant — the name still displayed above its boarded-up doorways — before the properties from 118–126 State St. were emptied nearly a decade ago for a nine-story boutique hotel that was never built.

Other State Street posts:

2025

Its about time:  Spiffing up the 100 block of State Street.  (6/16/)

2024

Another State Street stalwart bites the dust:  Paul’s Book Store.  (11/27)

Nick's Restaurant closing on May 11 after 65 years in business.  (4/22)

2023

The boutique hotel that never was.  (10/23)

Boutique or not boutique?  NOT  (9/27)

2021

The Pipefitter, a State Street Stalwart for nearly 50 years, is going out of business.  (4/23)

2020
Paul's Books.  (6/16/2020)

2019
State Street Stalwarts.  (12/10/2019)
Another empty storefront to appear on State Street in Madison WI.  (5/17/2019)
UPDATE: Boutique or not boutique? That is the question.  (4/8/2019)
UPDATE: Last house standing on State Street: You can't paint it black.  (4/2/2019)
Madison Then and Now: 652 State Street.  (3/5/2019)

This State Street Stalwart is now in its 64th year of business.  (1/1/2019)

2018
Three Dog Night is touring.  (12/26/2018)
No, Warby Parker is not a bookstore whose shelves have yet to be delivered.  (12/26/2018)

2016
A brightly lit, empty restaurant interior.  (1/15/2016)
This restaurant opening is overdue.  (1/15/2016)

2015
Another State Street stalwart is closing its doors for good.  (9/26/2015)
A State Street stalwart closes up shop.  (7/30/2015)
UPDATE:  State Street Stalwarts, 6 years later.  (2/1/2015)

2014
State Street Stalwart Going Out of Business: Shakti (1971-2014).  (1/4/2014)