MILWAUKEE | Development News

[bucksfan15]

Originally Posted by mbradleyc

That's worth a bong hit or two. Wish I was there again.

Right on. The amount of development happening on or near MU's campus is flying somewhat under the radar. Probably being overshadowed by the skyscraper boom and new arena but with quite a few new apartment buildings, a new residence hall, MU's athletic and research complex, etc. The near west side is really getting built up.

On a side note, I was unable to get a picture since I was driving but the Germania Building is all lit up now. For those no familiar with the project, it's a redevelopment of a super awesome historic building in West Town on 2nd and Wells.

[bucksfan15]

Some interesting information in this article...

Multifamily lending tightens as multiple projects get underway

Some interesting tidbits...

In January, Mandel began work on the fourth phase of its The North End project, which will add 155 apartments to the 650-unit mixed-use development along the Milwaukee River Downtown.

Unless I'm mistaken, I haven't seen any work done on North End's 4th phase.

Wangard, whose projects include Freshwater Plaza, a mixed-use development with 76 apartments under construction in Walker’s Point and the Avenir Apartments, with 104 units in 2015’s phase one and 82 units in phase two underway in the Park East corridor, has been to Chicago four times in the past 60 days to meet with lenders.

Again, unless I'm missing something, the 2nd phase of Avenir is not underway.

I could be wrong (and I hope I am) but some questionable reporting by BizTimes if I am not.

[bucksfan15]

Downtown Hotel Showdown

From October 2012 to October 2016, there have been three hotels added in downtown Milwaukee that are classified as “luxury or upscale.”

In that same timeframe, the average daily rate has gone from $126.46 to $140.88 for the 11 hotels that are considered luxury or upscale in downtown Milwaukee, according to Hendersonville, Tenn.-based hotel market research firm STR Inc.

Occupancy also has increased, despite the addition of 313 hotel rooms since October of 2012 in the downtown area. The occupancy rate was 73.3 percent at the upscale hotels in downtown Milwaukee through October 2012, compared to 76.7 through October 2016, according to the most recent STR data available.

[mbradleyc]

Originally Posted by bucksfan15

Unless I'm mistaken, I haven't seen any work done on North End's 4th phase.

I think you're thinking of the fifth phase. The fourth is what's being built right now.

[mbradleyc]

Originally Posted by bucksfan15

Downtown Hotel Showdown

This is great. Punch those arrogant suckers right in the mouth.

[scottharding]

Holy Shit! Milwaukee is booming. Quite a lot of change since I was there last. Time to go back.
Hello from Salt Lake City.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

yes, milwaukee's skyline is making quite the dramatic change so far this century.

black - existing 300+' tower built prior to 2000
bold - existing 300+' tower built since 2000
red - under construction 300+' tower
green - site prep/demo 300+' tower
blue - proposed/rumored 300+' tower


milwaukee's tallest buildings:

1. JCI World HQ - 700'+
2. US Bank Center - 601'
3. NML Tower - 550'
4. 100 E. Wisconsin - 549'
5. The Couture - 507'

6. University Club Tower - 446'
7. Milwaukee Center - 426'
8. 411 E. Wisconsin - 408'
9. City Hall - 393'
10. 777 N. Van Buren - 387'

11. Kilbourn Tower - 385'
12. The Moderne - 348'
13. NML tower - 347'
14. BMO Harris Center - 335'
15. Hyatt Regency - 322'

16.1000 N. Water - 300'




if everything pans out, milwaukee will have doubled its number of 300+' tall buildings so far this century.

and at this point, the only one on the list that above that is a serious uncertainty is the long-rumored JC HQ tower. that's the real game-changer right there.

not bad at all for a modest little rust-belt city that most outsiders don't expect much from. milwaukee is a city on the..... GROW!

Yeah, it really is growing impressively. The Rust Belt ain't going anywhere!

[bucksfan15]

Originally Posted by mbradleyc

I think you're thinking of the fifth phase. The fourth is what's being built right now.

Ah yeah you're right, thanks for catching that. I hope the last phase get's going soon regardless. It will be nice to have something being built on the east side of the street. All the action has been on the west side along the river.

I ran by today and no work happening on Avenir's 2nd phase so I'm not sure where they got that phase II was underway.

[bucksfan15]

Originally Posted by mbradleyc

This is great. Punch those arrogant suckers right in the mouth.

It seems to me as if Marcus is finally going to have to put their money where their mouth is and finally pull the trigger on either eMbarKE or Edison Place. They seem to have their backs up against the wall right now with all these new hotels opening up.

If I remember correctly, the Potawatomi Hotel was built to allow for a second tower on site. I thought I remember reading that in an article way back when that thing was built. It would really make things interesting if that were to happen.

[bucksfan15]

Originally Posted by scottharding

Holy Shit! Milwaukee is booming. Quite a lot of change since I was there last. Time to go back.
Hello from Salt Lake City.

Yeah man, lots of good things happening in the city. Check back in a couple years and the skyline/downtown should look drastically different.

[mbradleyc]

Originally Posted by bucksfan15

It seems to me as if Marcus is finally going to have to put their money where their mouth is and finally pull the trigger on either eMbarKE or Edison Place. They seem to have their backs up against the wall right now with all these new hotels opening up.

If I remember correctly, the Potawatomi Hotel was built to allow for a second tower on site. I thought I remember reading that in an article way back when that thing was built. It would really make things interesting if that were to happen.

Secondly, that's a true story. They do have in mind a second tower. The foundation is there and it's only a matter of time. How cool will that be?

Firstly, Marcus is a lot of talk. They could point a loaded gun at me and I wouldn't be worried.

[bucksfan15]

Originally Posted by mbradleyc

Secondly, that's a true story. They do have in mind a second tower. The foundation is there and it's only a matter of time. How cool will that be?

Firstly, Marcus is a lot of talk. They could point a loaded gun at me and I wouldn't be worried.

Yeah, Marcus lost me with their first failed proposal at the same site. I was so excited for that proposal only to watch nothing ever come of it. Very dissapointing. I hope this proposal happens but I'm not going to hold my breath.

As for Poto, I'd be curious if their plans are for a "twin" tower similar to the first or for something with a different design. I think I would prefer a different design just to add some variety to that area but I wouldn't mind a similar "twin" tower. Honestly, what I was really hoping for was that after they were denied in Kenosha, Hard Rock would chose to build in the valley next to Poto instead and kind of create an entertainment destination. I know Poto would be up in arms about that but I think it would actually draw more business having 2 casinos next to each other. Went to Detroit this past summer and loved how they have multiple casinos around downtown, not just one.

[bucksfan15]

St. John’s on The Lake planning third tower on Prospect Avenue

St. John’s on The Lake on Milwaukee’s East Side will replace or significantly expand its existing three-story building and is planning a third tower on the corner of Prospect Avenue and E. Kane Place.

The campus is currently made up of a 22-story tower that opened in 2011 on the south end with a one-story building connecting it to the campus’ original 10-story tower. On the north side of the property is the three-story structure that presently houses the skilled nursing patients that will be replaced or significantly expanded.

A tower would be built on the north parking lot at Kane Place and Prospect Avenue, Anderson said.

Most importantly.....

Any updates or new construction can be built by right, without city approval, although Anderson said she and board members have met with the city’s Department of City Development, Aldermen Robert Bauman, who represents the neighborhood, and Nik Kovac, who represents the adjacent neighborhood.

THANK GOD Bauman can't get in the way of this one. It can be built by right so even if Bauman wants to try and stop this (and I'm sure he does), he can't.

[bucksfan15]

12-Story Marquette Tower



The M



Milwaukee Bucks New Home FEAR THE DEER!



Skyline Shots

[bucksfan15]

14-story hotel addition proposed for Masonic Center in downtown Milwaukee

A 14-story glass tower could be built atop the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center in downtown Milwaukee to create a 220-room hotel under plans developers submitted to the city this week.

The project would restore the existing Masonic Center building at 790 N. Van Buren St., adding restaurants and meeting venues, while building the vertical addition with new hotel rooms. Madison developer Ascendant Holdings LLC is proposing the project, and Provenance Hotels in Portland would run the independent hotel.

Eric Nordeen, principal at Ascendant Holdings, said that if the project gains city approvals in the coming months, the hotel could open in late 2018 at the earliest.

This means there WILL be at least 6 towers rising in Milwaukee in 2017;

-Couture (44 stories)
-777 Van Buren (34 stories)
-BMO Harris Financial Center (25 stories)
-Portfolio (24 stories)
-1840 Farwell (13 stories)
-234 Water (12 stories)

There may be even more if the following pull the trigger...

-JCI (54 stories and possible new tallest)
-1550 Prospect (27 stories)
-Edison Place (20 stories)
-700 Kilbourn (19 stories)
-Either Nexus (20 stories and 15 stories) or eMbarKE (20 stories and 12 stories)
-Masonic Hotel (18 stories)

Add that to the insane amount of infill happening, the arena district, and the streetcar, and Milwaukee is ON FIRE!!!

With the nice weather, I'll be out running a lot. If anyone has any picture requests let me know.

[colemonkee]

^ Very Hearst Tower-esque. And I mean that as a compliment. Hearst Tower is a beautiful building.

[bucksfan15]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

^ Very Hearst Tower-esque. And I mean that as a compliment. Hearst Tower is a beautiful building.

My immediate thought also. I love the Hearst Tower and I really enjoy this tower. Great job blending historic with modern. In my opinion, this is a welcome addition to downtown. It will compliment the explosion of new, glassy towers happening in that immediate area; the Couture, NML HQ, 777 Van Buren, Portfolio, and 833 East. Milwaukee is really starting to develop a very dense, downtown, CBD core and it is amazing.

[Steely Dan]

That's a freaking killer design for the masonic addition.

i love how sci-fi it is. really hoping this one goes forward as is.

[bucksfan15]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

That's a freaking killer design for the masonic addition.

i love how sci-fi it is. really hoping this one goes forward as is.

One of the cooler buildings I've seen proposed in Milwaukee. It pairs perfectly with the Masonic building. I like how it's sort of perched on top of the building. This one better go trough. I wish it were a little taller (as usual) but I really, really like it. I won't complain.

[bucksfan15]

New Arena