Regent Neighborhood / University Heights
/In the heart of Madison’s near-west side, the Regent Neighborhood sits along the western edge of the UW Madison campus, within close proximity to downtown, as well as the bustling commerce of Monroe Street & University Avenue.
Highly Walkable & Bikeable
The neighborhood is anchored by local shops, restaurants, & amenities along Campus Drive & Regent Street. The UW campus & hospital are very close, as well as the bustling Monroe St. The Campus & Southwest Bike paths run through the neighborhood, quickly connecting residents to downtown Madison & beyond. Camp Randall Stadium lies on the eastern edge of the neighborhood.
The Highland Avenue underpass shifting light mural connects the Regent Neighborhood to the UW campus. The installation serves as a dynamic, visual transition for thousands of neighborhood residents that use the underpass daily. Many employees & students use this underpass as they walk or bike to work.
Neighborhood residents value shopping local & the Regent Market Co-op speaks to that. Serving the neighborhood for over 90 years, the co-op just underwent major renovations include an expansion, & solar panels. RMC now sells beer, wine & liquor, hand dipped & hand scooped ice cream cones (Chocolate Shoppe, none-the-less) & growlers of microbrews, cider & local kambucha. Here you’ll also find a dining counter & outdoor seating.
The Hillington Triangle Park is a place where neighbors of all ages gather to play, ice skate & socialize.
Each year the Regent Neighborhood puts on a 4th of July Festival, complete with games, food, a parade, a backpack drive & a “Rag Tag Band”- where all neighborhood musicians are given music to play along. Throughout the year, neighbors frequently gather for drinks or to share a meal.
The Regent Neighborhood is home to Randall Elementary & West High School. “Both schools provide the neighborhood with a fun level of liveliness: kids walking to and from school, homecoming parades, musicals & theater productions at our doorstep.” -Regent Neighborhood Association page.
History
Within the Regent Street Neighborhood, you’ll find the University Heights Historic District. Here lies a wide variety of historic architecture designed by renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, Frank Riley, Claude & Starck, George W. Maher & Alvan Small.
Both guided & self guided tours can be taken, which I wholeheartedly recommend. The abundance of stunning architecture that the neighborhood offers is definitely unique for Madison.
The neighborhood's hilly topography presented challenges. Homebuilders made it work by building in-ground garages, creating nearly vertical backyards, laying steep front steps & creating irregular shaped lots. Developers turned these challenges into a sales point, by suggesting high class & geographic location with street names like “Prospect” & “Summit”. The breathtaking vistas likely helped sales too.
It may come as no surprise that University Heights was built for Madison’s most affluent professors & business people, including several famous UW faculty members & prominent community members responsible for shaping Madison.
Regent
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
81
out of 100
