Depending on which news sources you follow, Milwaukee is going through either a “renaissance” or a “reinvention.” Or maybe it’s a “reboot” or a “reimagining,” like that crappy Tim Burton version of Planet Of The Apes. However you want to define it, it’s safe to say that Milwaukee is currently building a lot of new shit.
• It’s a gentrification tale as old as time: former factory in dumpy part of town gets converted into artist studios and band practice spaces; neighborhood surrounding former factory becomes less dumpy; artists and musicians are priced out of former factory; former factory becomes luxury apartments “imbued with historic character, including exposed brick walls, heavy-timber ceilings and expansive windows with stunning views of downtown Milwaukee and the skyline.”
And so it goes with The Fortress, the massive F. Mayer Boot and Shoe Co. Building at 100 E. Pleasant St. that found a second life as a hive of work spaces for Milwaukee’s much-ballyhooed “creative class.” But those creative days are long gone: Developer Rick Wiegand sold the 193,000 square-foot building to the Alexander Company late last year, and work has finally begun transforming it into a 132-unit apartment building. Monthly rent will start at $1,125, and top off at $2,725. The Alexander Company spent last week showing everyone and their mother around the transformative transformation project. [Urban Milwaukee, OnMilwaukee, Milwaukee Business Journal]
• The long-awaited 44-story, 300-apartment Couture, 909 E. Michigan St., may break ground as early as this summer. [Urban Milwaukee]
• The former Buca di Beppo and the surrounding land is on the market for a cool $3.95 million. A “significant structure” like a hotel or high-rise is being envisioned for the property. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Marquette University will build an 44,000-square-foot, $18.5 million facility on the southwest corner of its campus for its “burgeoning physician assistant studies program.” Construction will begin this spring. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Another Thirsty Duck mini-bowling joint may be opening in downtown Milwaukee at 152 W. Wisconsin Ave. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• Speaking of bowling, a vacant South Milwaukee bowling center could be transformed into an indoor sports recreation center. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Plans for a new apartment building next to the new Milwaukee Bucks arena “took a significant step forward.” [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Want more apartments in Walker’s Point? How about HUNDREDS of them! [Milwaukee Business Journal]