http://www.wibuilder.com/clean/images/county1.jpg
Here's an update on the Park East project in Milwaukee. Located downtown, this project focuses on the redevelopment of the land left by the Park-East freeway demolition.

Aloft (W) Hotel
Under Construction, Topped Off
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/galleries/2009/smallbusiness/0907/gallery.eb_5_visa_cash_without_borders.smb/images/aloft.jpg
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/reweekly07-14-2009/aloft.jpg

The North End
Under Construction
The City adopted a $5.7 million financing plan to assist in the creation of the North End neighborhood. The $175 million project includes 395 condos, 88 apartments and 20,000 to 25,000 square feet of neighborhood retail space which will be completed over the next five to seven years.
http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/northend_pic1_big1.jpg

The Moderne
Financing Approved (11/03/09)
Under Construction
A 30-story mixed used building featuring 203 apartments and 14 condominiums 16,000 square feet of first floor retail space.
http://www.themoderne.net/images/Moderne_112607RGBlarge.jpg
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/apr07/moderne_042407_big.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4663/moderne02ac7.jpg
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4208/moderne03ha5.jpg

Manpower World Headquarters (Fortune 500)
Completed
The site will employs 1,200 people and includes a parking structure, public plaza, and extension of the Milwaukee Riverwalk. The $87 million development project includes both new construction and historic renovation of the North Powerhouse.
http://www.gilbanebuilding.com/images/cms/Manpower-Exterior-Night.jpg
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_green_hqs/image/13_manpower.jpg
http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/224040-0-0-2.jpg

Residences on Water
Under Construction
The project will include a 121-room Staybridge Suites hotel, 31 condos and 14,000 square feet of retail space.
http://www.theresidencesonwater.com/Images/intro-rendering.gif
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/reweely11-18-2008/staybridge.jpg

Block 12
Proposal
A 10-story building with retail space on the first floor, offices on floors 2-4, a hotel on floors 5-8 and condominiums on the top two floors. A 120 room Aloft hotel, a new hotel brand for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide W Hotels division, is also slated to occupy the building.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r21/g3forc305/Downtown%20Developments/block612.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r21/g3forc305/Downtown%20Developments/project612version2.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6164/b6123eh0.jpg

Park East Square
Proposal
The proposed development is comprised of several buildings ranging from three-story raised brownstone-type townhouses to an eight-story condominium building with street-level commercial space. The development will offer approximately 122 condominium units, 80,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel and a parking structure for retail tenants.
http://www.rscrealestate.com/images/pageImage_parkeast.jpg

Eco-Square
Proposal
350 Apartments
http://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/eco-square.jpg

Park East Enterprise Lofts
Completed
The concept behind this 85-unit development is to offer an affordable place for creative entrepreneurs and artists to live and work downtown.
http://www.mkedcd.org/parkeast/images/projects/EnterpriseLofts.jpg

Convent Hill
Completed
A 120 affordable rental unit high-rise. The new building will be a sustainable, “green,” LEED-certifiable building with a vegetated roof and garden. There will be over 15,000 square feet of space for supportive services, including an on-site health clinic and pharmacy.
http://www.mkedcd.org/parkeast/images/projects/conventhill.jpg

Kern Center
Completed
The building is a 210,000 square foot recreation, athletic, health and wellness center developed with the goal of providing students with ample access to fitness.
http://people.msoe.edu/~reyer/mke/2004bs.jpg

Flatiron
Completed
This mixed-use development will include ground level retail, a public corner plaza, and 38 condominium units, each with a unique floor plan.
http://www.altiusbuildingco.com/images/projects/flatiron2.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2107259833_8b5d437991.jpg
(flikr: compujeramy of Urban Milwaukee)

Good idea to consolidate all of the Park East projects into one thread. You guys should try taking some construction photos, too. I haven't been in Milwaukee for about 3 months and would love to see how these are progressing.

A good list so far.

Well this isn't a construction progress photograph but it shows the view from the park east land...

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4923/mckinleyview1cs3.jpg

The Flatiron
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7815/theflatironzc6.jpg

The North End
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1449/thenorthendwz7.jpg

Convent Hill
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6072/conventhillqb2.jpg

Residences on Water
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7695/residencesonwaterpk0.jpg

MSOE Kern Center
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8950/msoekerncenterho0.jpg

Manpower
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1122/manpowerel8.jpg

A good list so far.

Some clarifications:

"Block 1 and 2" as labeled above is called Park East Square (Phase 1 is proposed for Block 26; Phase 2 is proposed for Block 22)

"Block 10" as labeled above is actually Block 12 as per the City's Park East Redevelopment Plan.

Also, "Sidney High" should be "Sydney Hih".

It also may be useful to edit the listing to describe what each of the developments/proposals entail.

Good clarification, I'll edit it up.

Also: What happened to 'Terraces At River Bluff'?

the Aloft is no longer planned for block 12/10 (whichever it is). Aloft is going on Ruvin's lot next to the old Third Street Pier...the lot that was going to be Cramer-Krasselt's new HQ will now just be an Aloft.

Park East Square is going to have a Hyatt Place and some other hotel brand.

Terraces at River Bluff aren't quite dead, but there has been zero activity or announcements in over a year.

Good clarification, I'll edit it up.

Also: What happened to 'Terraces At River Bluff'?


I heard that the developer over-estimated the market for very high end units on that site and is reformulating their development strategy. I thought I initially heard that the units would be in the 400-500,000 range which I consider alot for that location, expecially when you have many other options downtown for that price range.

I heard that the developer over-estimated the market for very high end units on that site and is reformulating their development strategy. I thought I initially heard that the units would be in the 400-500,000 range which I consider alot for that location, expecially when you have many other options downtown for that price range.

Yeah, that happened last year. (http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly/2006/11/29/) They even took down the marketing website (http://www.theterracesatrb.com/) for a few months while they tweaked the design to accommodate smaller units within a lower price range. Once those changes were made, the website was put back online, several months ago, at the beginning of this year.

While that is a nice website...a website without prices isn't going to attract a lot of interest.

While that is a nice website...a website without prices isn't going to attract a lot of interest.

Yeah, no kidding. And don't have a "floor plan" section without floor plans. Haha.

Yeah, no kidding. And don't have a "floor plan" section without floor plans. Haha.

haha, yeah! That was the worst part!

Hey I took some photos of the North End demolition and created a flickr set to keep track of the progress
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/sets/72157602258343011/

Here is a big picture of the area in question, circa last summer.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/trizkutt/DSC00857.jpg

Park East Square is going to have a Hyatt Place and some other hotel brand.

Hyatt Summerfield Suites

Here's a good shot of the Park East Area. Notice the vacant land to the middle and upper-left left over by the demolition of the freeway"
http://www.thebrewerymke.com/stellent/groups/public/documents/ss_asset/thebrewery-photo2.gif

http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/milwaukee/images/illus_parkeast_aerial2000.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/480961831_fd62ff83ea.jpg


also an interesting little report about the removal of the park east I randomly found.
http://www.preservenet.com/freeways/FreewaysParkEast.html

Is the Moderne still going to break ground in early 2008?

Is the Moderne still going to break ground in early 2008?

Couldn't say for sure, but I see First Weber Realty is running a stunning half page ad in the November issue (p. 20) of M Magazine. The ad features one of First Weber's agents, and is promoting sales inquiries. The way this ad looks, it sure looks like The Moderne is on its way.

Couldn't say for sure, but I see First Weber Realty is running a stunning half page ad in the November issue (p. 20) of M Magazine. The ad features one of First Weber's agents, and is promoting sales inquiries. The way this ad looks, it sure looks like The Moderne is on its way.

There's also some sort of sales office/promotional building onsite.

There's also some sort of sales office/promotional building onsite.

That is terrific news. Of any of the pending projects, the Moderne will probably have the greatest benefit to the Milwaukee skyline. The initial mockup was a great look.

There's also some sort of sales office/promotional building onsite.

Yep. Can't imagine they'd be spending this much money on advertising and promotion if it wasn't a "go." While my initial reaction to this building was that it looked too much like a morph of the KT and UCT, I have to say now that I like it. Wish it would've been built at the SE corner of Kilbourn and Van Buren, though. Whatever is going up there is sort of puny and unremarkable for a high-profile location.

I think those are some kind of townhomes, Skyking. Hey, anything is better than those scattered parking lots we have in this neighborhood! I think Park East is a good location for Moderne, after all, the freeway wasn't demolished to leave open land there forever.

Well they have to advertise to get the pre-sales of units up to something like 35-45% (depending on the developer) before they breakground.

I'm glad to see the Moderne looking positive. I can't wait to see the cranes rising up from the middle of the Downtown skyline.

If only Ghazi and Block 12 were U/C at the same time...what a sight that would be!

Yea it would be really nice if the Ghazi project could get underway it has so much potential to be catalytic. Don't forget the breakwater is underway right now, I spoke to the sales guy there and he thought they'd have the first couple stories complete before the years out.

Ah good...another crane in the skyline.

Well at least we'd have two next year, if everything else is held back...

The staybridge was putting together their construction crane the other day (not a tower crane but big nonetheless... they were loading the weights)... kinda fun to watch..

well, with Park East Square's developer ready to begin very soon, and The North End's former buildings being demolished for new buildings - we'll be seeing a ton of those construction cranes along Water Street...

Downtown will be very exciting come next summer.

http://www.eppsteinuhen.com/data/portfolio/manpower13.jpg http://www.eppsteinuhen.com/data/portfolio/manpower21.jpg

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/oct07/parkeast.two1021_big.jpg

Park East Poised to Start Renewal (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=676809)
Journal Sentinel

^Great Overview on Park East progress.

brew> downtown is already very exciting has been for a long time.:) Yea the North End is going to be very good addition to the city.. its build out is going to over a number of years so it should be interesting....

As far as RSC they've still got aways to go before construction begins, I believe.

Pure speculation, I realize, but I'll throw this one out to see if anyone wants to give it a stab:

The freeway was utlimately a success is the development of Milw's near north side. Milwaukee's redevelopment in the area was better served by the freeway sitting on that land than if the freeway hadn't been built. In other words, the freeway though a usage and blight problem when it existed, actually was more a postive than a negative for its unintended ability to generate land for future growth.

First and primary, the freeway cleared land for itself which then became sizeable open space for new and large scale development.

Second, the destruction of the freeway happened at the right time in the city's development. Areas to the north of downtown were increasingly becoming high rise and residential. These neighborhoods were continuing to evolve in a highly "life style" pattern. Putting the freeway cleared land on the market at the same time that rising land values were marching northward was incredibly fortuitous.

Pure speculation, I realize, but I'll throw this one out to see if anyone wants to give it a stab:

The freeway was utlimately a success is the development of Milw's near north side. Milwaukee's redevelopment in the area was better served by the freeway sitting on that land than if the freeway hadn't been built. In other words, the freeway though a usage and blight problem when it existed, actually was more a postive than a negative for its unintended ability to generate land for future growth.

First and primary, the freeway cleared land for itself which then became sizeable open space for new and large scale development.

Second, the destruction of the freeway happened at the right time in the city's development. Areas to the north of downtown were increasingly becoming high rise and residential. These neighborhoods were continuing to evolve in a highly "life style" pattern. Putting the freeway cleared land on the market at the same time that rising land values were marching northward was incredibly fortuitous.

The freeway had nothing to do with the development of the near north side. The near north side was one of the first directions developed away from the city by the growing german population.. a long time before freeways were even a thought.

The freeway had nothing to do with the development of the near north side. The near north side was one of the first directions developed away from the city by the growing german population.. a long time before freeways were even a thought.

Agreed, and the near north side was hardly developed at all until 10 years ago. I would consider it more of an impediment.

Pure speculation, I realize, but I'll throw this one out to see if anyone wants to give it a stab:

The freeway was utlimately a success is the development of Milw's near north side. Milwaukee's redevelopment in the area was better served by the freeway sitting on that land than if the freeway hadn't been built. In other words, the freeway though a usage and blight problem when it existed, actually was more a postive than a negative for its unintended ability to generate land for future growth.

First and primary, the freeway cleared land for itself which then became sizeable open space for new and large scale development.

Second, the destruction of the freeway happened at the right time in the city's development. Areas to the north of downtown were increasingly becoming high rise and residential. These neighborhoods were continuing to evolve in a highly "life style" pattern. Putting the freeway cleared land on the market at the same time that rising land values were marching northward was incredibly fortuitous.

Good points. A 'Park East' in Chicago would be like creating a freeway spur off of Ohio St.

EastSider,

I edited your opening post in this thread to include a couple of other Block 12 renders. Hope you don't mind.

Block 12 (planned)
A 10-story building with retail space on the first floor, offices on floors 2-4, a hotel on floors 5-8 and condominiums on the top two floors. A 120 room Aloft hotel, a new hotel brand for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide W Hotels division, is also slated to occupy the building.

This info is mixing information between two separate proposals for two different blocks.

Block 12 is the mixed-use highrise from MLG Development (the one that was rumored to be a possible location for RedPrairie as an anchor tenant).

Block 10 is the mixed-use mid-rise from Ruvin/Gatehouse (the one with the Aloft Hotel and condos).

EastSider,

I edited your opening post in this thread to include a couple of other Block 12 renders. Hope you don't mind.

Awesome

This info is mixing information between two separate proposals for two different blocks.

Block 12 is the mixed-use highrise from MLG Development (the one that was rumored to be a possible location for RedPrairie as an anchor tenant).

Block 10 is the mixed-use mid-rise from Ruvin/Gatehouse (the one with the Aloft Hotel and condos).

Thanks

milwaukeeunseen> Yea I've been taking lots of pictures of The North End... I update them regularly
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/sets/72157602258343011/

Is anyone good at blowing up renderings? There are a lot of new North End images on Mandel's website.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6173/northendweblg9ju6.gif
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6990/northendweblg3yr9.gif

^^ Find a free Rasterbator program. I know, it sounds dirty

Good news:

Mandel to start construction on North End
Mandel Group Inc. announced today that it has completed its financing for the first phase of The North End, a $185 million residential development along the Milwaukee River, in the Park East area.

Construction will begin immediately upon completion of demolition work at the site, south of E. Pleasant St. and just west of N. Water St. Demolition began in July, and should be finished by the end of December.

Financing for The North End's first phase was provided by Johnson Bank and M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank. The project is being built on an 8.5-acre site of the former Pfister & Vogel tannery, which closed in 2000.

The development's initial phase will have 83 apartments and 15,000 square feet of neighborhood retail space. Initial interest in the project has been high, with over 300 inquiries received on Mandel Group's Web site, according to the firm's statement.

Future portions of The North End's first phase, scheduled to begin in the spring, include 142 condominiums and a public square at the corner of N. Water and E. Pleasant Streets.

The entire North End development is planned to include 500 housing units and over 25,000 square feet of retail space, to be constructed over five to seven years.

It will be among the largest developments in the 64-acre Park East redevelopment area, which runs along downtown's northern edge. The Park East area includes privately owned vacant lots, as well as 16 acres, owned by Milwaukee County, that were made available for development when the Park East Freeway stub was razed.

The City of Milwaukee is providing $8.4 million for the project, mainly to build a riverwalk and other public improvements. That money will be repaid through The North End's property taxes.



courtesy jsonline.com

And the buildings are basically gone now they just need to finish clearing the debris away.

The renderings on Mandel's website are now available in a larger version:
http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/ne-render-lg-3.gif

http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/ne-render-5-lg.gif

http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/ne-render-7-lg.gif

More available here: MANDEL (http://www.mandelgroup.com/condominiums/condo_detail.cfm?c_id=8)

I hope they keep the vivid accent colors.

I hope they keep the vivid accent colors.

I thought the same thing, especially because some of those areas would be in the shadows normally and then when the sun hits right it would be great.

http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/ne-render-1.gif

http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/ne-render-4-lg.gif

http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/ne-render-6-lg.gif

Wow, I love these renderings. I'm glad they're starting construction. Does anybody know what buildings Phase 1 will include? And what they have to sell before they start Phase 2?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/2115728215_b3e3a611a0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2115728215/)

The Moderne has a new rendering, originally posted in the Milwaukee Development Thread. The project now has a new marketing website, along with publisized contractors and a contracted sales company.

http://www.themoderne.net/images/Moderne_112607RGBlarge.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/1481647248_b4bd0400ea.jpg?v=0

Its good to see The Residences on Water rising up!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/2173775694_424cec9348.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2173775694/)

The City of Milwaukee Department of City Development has posted what appears to be an updated Sidney Hih rendering, and first indications of the Aloft development across from Sidney Hih. The RSC rendering is also one I have never seen before, could be an indication of the final design.

Scroll down to 8, 9, and 10:
http://www.mkedcd.org/parkeast/PEDev.html

^^
Block 26:
http://www.mkedcd.org/parkeast/images/projects/RSCBlock26250.jpg

Aloft Hotel (Block 10):
http://www.mkedcd.org/parkeast/images/projects/Aloft250.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2223723711_cfc512a412.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2223723711/)

The residences is my favorite project right now (sorry Park Lafayette, you're a close second!) so thanks for the updates, Twoaday!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2223723711_cfc512a412.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2223723711/)

This is truly an interesting approach these developers are taking. While I'm about the farthest thing from a builder, I can't remember ever seeing a building erected in parts like this. It seems a building is usually done "floor by floor," rather than section by section. Well, since they didn't consult with me, I'm sure they must know what they're doing ;)

Yea I know it does seem odd but I wonder if it may have to do with the site limitations. i.e. the crane would be in the street for a longer period of time?

A new website has launched for the development everyone previously refered to as "Sidney Hih". Unfortunately, currently it provides next to no information about the actual building itself, just lots of talk. Hopefully it will be continuously updated with renderings, floor plans, etc.

http://www.milwaukeepalomar.com/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/2270203762_0f6efe525e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2270203762/)

That tower is really coming along nice photo!

TheNorthEnd.com (http://www.thenorthend.com/index.cfm)

The North End just came out with an amazing online marketing tool, I think the best sales website I've seen.

They also threw out some new exterior renderings of the apartments:
http://www.thenorthend.com/images/apartment_homes/apartment2_big.jpg

http://www.thenorthend.com/images/apartment_homes/apartment4_big.jpg

They've also segmented they're condos to specific buyers, including:

http://www.thenorthend.com/images/decor_profiles/pic1_big.jpg

http://www.thenorthend.com/images/decor_profiles/pic2_big.jpg

http://www.thenorthend.com/images/decor_profiles/pic3_big.jpg

http://www.thenorthend.com/images/decor_profiles/pic4_big.jpg

http://www.thenorthend.com/images/decor_profiles/pic5_big.jpg

http://www.thenorthend.com/images/decor_profiles/pic6_big.jpg

I want the .com one.

I wish they had the prices on their website. I hate when companies don't do that.

That is one killer site... But MilwaukeeD is right I still don't know the price of one of these units...

New rendering here:

http://www.ruvindevelopment.com/projects/Palomar.html

New rendering here:

http://www.ruvindevelopment.com/projects/Palomar.html

Well... Its different....:uh:

Looks like two completely different buildings stacked on one another... :weird:

I agree eMatt. To me, the lower half of the Palomar looks more like a giant parking ramp. Actually, I think it looks more like three separate buildings all stuck together. One on the bottom with two piled on top. Stupid and weird.

Although the upper portion of the tall section looks awkward... I still like this design the best so far.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I could've sworn that I read somewhere that Ruvin was going ahead with the Aloft but in doing that they were not going to do the Palomar. I'm really not sure though...

Maybe I'm crazy, but I could've sworn that I read somewhere that Ruvin was going ahead with the Aloft but in doing that they were not going to do the Palomar. I'm really not sure though...

No, that was never the case.

Perhaps you are thinking of when Ruvin announced the office component that was to have been included in the original Aloft proposal was scrapped when the Cramer-Krasselt advertising agency decided to drop out, but they moving forward on the project despite the loss of the office space.

Or perhaps you are thinking of when the Ruvin and Gatehouse partnership brought in Hicks Holdings as another major investor on the Palomar project.

Okay good, I'm glad I'm crazy. I kind of like the Palomar.

New rendering here:

http://www.ruvindevelopment.com/projects/Palomar.html

Aloft
http://www.ruvindevelopment.com/images/aloft/aloft05.jpg

Hotel Palomar (Kimpton Brand)
http://www.ruvindevelopment.com/images/palomar/t-01Palomar.jpg

i LOVE the look of the aloft.....

Aloft
http://www.ruvindevelopment.com/images/aloft/aloft05.jpg

Hotel Palomar (Kimpton Brand)
http://www.ruvindevelopment.com/images/palomar/t-01Palomar.jpg

You know, I kinda like that Kimpton. Very different for Milwaukee. I'm sorta surprised Ruvin is investing this much here. That's a whole lotta extra hotel rooms that I don't know who's gonna use 'em...

I wish Ruvin would've developed one larger project, but I understand there is a difference in room types, etc. Hope they both fly -- and are successful.

I assume (actually I think they have said this in the press) that the aloft is really geared towards Manpower business travelers because it is kind of an extended stay W if that makes any sense. And this is just a guess here but the Kimpton they are aiming at convention travelers? The Kimpton project has been interesting to follow because of dramatically it has changed from the original design.

Yeah, does anyone have the old images...I'm curious to see the change over time. It's been dramatic. This is the same parcel that competed with Rana, right?

Yeah, does anyone have the old images...I'm curious to see the change over time. It's been dramatic. This is the same parcel that competed with Rana, right?

Renderings are in first post of this thread.

More can be found via an Advanced Search of jsonline.com on Google. Using "Tom Daykin" and "Whitney Gould" and "Ruvin" for search criteria ought to bring up the original articles with rendering galleries for the proposal.

MONDAY, March 10, 2008, 10:01 a.m.
By Tom Daykin
Fall construction seen for Park East hotel

Construction could begin this fall on a $160 million hotel and condominium tower planned for downtown Milwaukee's Park East area, the project's developer said today.

The project, anchored by a 176-room Kimpton Palomar Hotel and 63 condos, is proposed for the block bordered by W. Juneau and W. McKinley avenues, and N. Old World 3rd and N. 4th streets.

The developers, Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital Corp. and Ruvin Development Inc., of Milwaukee, have just started marketing the condominiums. The developers believe they will have to sell 40% to 50% of the condos in order to obtain a construction loan for the project, said Ed Koh, Gatehouse director of development.

The developers believe they will reach that sales goal by fall, Koh told members of the County Board's Committee on Economic and Community Development. Koh spoke during an update of the project, which would occur on a former Park East Freeway parcel that the county has agreed to sell to Gatehouse and Ruvin.

I *think* the Hotel Palomar rendering is growing on me....

It's growing on me too. I just really wish they'd have something, ANYTHING, crossing that line at the 12th/13th floor. It would be really easy to do and wouldn't add much cost if any.

For anyone who hasn't noticed we now have our answer as to while they built the staybridge in two seperate stages. Now that they are working on the other half they needed to completely block off Juneau.

So... wouldn't the staybridge actually be considered topped off? :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/2336120048_c80a7e6c6c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2336120048/)

Thanks for the update. I can't believe how quickly it went up. This building looks pretty great from Brewer's Hill right now too. I really stands out (not sure why, but it does.) I'm with coldwake...I'm going to start calling it topped off (who cares if it isn't.) Someone alert Emporis.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2369568186_144fab1cb9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2369568186/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2369568186_144fab1cb9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2369568186/)
One thing I just do not understand is, why did they build the east end of the building to almost completion and none of the northside of the buildig at all?

Thanks for the great pics Twoaday!

One thing I just do not understand is, why did they build the east end of the building to almost completion and none of the northside of the buildig at all?

Thanks for the great pics Twoaday!

The north side of the building requires them to close half of Juneau Ave to get the crane in place.

So I know the Hotel Palomar here will look entirely different, but I just found a pic of the DC hotel on UrbanOhio.com:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k11/johnmcreech/Washington%20DC%20Spring%202008/RichmondTrip2008068.jpg

I think we got the better end of the deal.

One thing I just do not understand is, why did they build the east end of the building to almost completion and none of the northside of the buildig at all?

The reason why the front section was built first, was so they could use the back of the site for a staging area--to work on assembling pieces before they are lifted into place, to store construction materials after they're delivered but were not ready to be put up yet, a place for the crane to operate, etc. Now that the front section has been completed, they are working on the back section of the site, so the staging area has been relocated out into the street.

The reason why the front section was built first, was so they could use the back of the site for a staging area--to work on assembling pieces before they are lifted into place, to store construction materials after they're delivered but were not ready to be put up yet, a place for the crane to operate, etc. Now that the front section has been completed, they are working on the back section of the site, so the staging area has been relocated out into the street.
Ok, thanks Mark!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/2392662268_34761622b8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2392662268/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/2392662268_34761622b8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2392662268/)

They're not far away from having the second "half" (really more like 2/3) of the building completed. The new form of construction they're using is erecting this building faster than I've ever seen before.


On a side note, the construction crews at the North End site have begun actually putting steel and concrete into the ground. Rather exciting I'd say...

Yea they've been driving the piles over at the North End for a couple weeks now I think.... You will see the first building over there start rising up in the not too distant future.

What's the status on Park East Square? Their signs have fallen over and the sites look like wastelands. I thought Phase 1 was on track though...
Can anyone enlighten me?

I added the Aloft Hotel, and updated Sydney hih property to the list

Looks like the construction fence is going up.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2033/2436022750_ebdd96cfb3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2436022750/)

Finally! :banana:

Hey Two, next time your down grabbing a pic I don't suppose you could get one showing how Residences fits in with the several blocks surrounding it? You know, something zoomed out a bit? Every time I'm over that way, I'm driving through so don't stop to appreciate how it will impact the skyline in that area.

Hey Two, next time your down grabbing a pic I don't suppose you could get one showing how Residences fits in with the several blocks surrounding it? You know, something zoomed out a bit? Every time I'm over that way, I'm driving through so don't stop to appreciate how it will impact the skyline in that area.

It's pretty impressive.. and because it went up so fast sort of shocking while driving at certain angles.. I did a double take the other day while driving on 3rd

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2419444183_d765bbd62b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2419444183/)



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2420257736_d2a8fa4d68.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2420257736/)


Also remember I only post a couple on here... The rest go on http://www.mkedevelopment.com/Photos/

That looks pretty sweet. Imagine if the parcel Redcloud or whatever gets built?

Thanks Two. That's close to what I was looking for, but I was thinking even further out than that, similar to these I took a couple yrs ago.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/4781/sun112020050052np.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img307.imageshack.us/img307/7486/morning0170dn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I think from angles similar to those, Residences has to stand out pretty nicely as it will really be the tallest building on the NW corner of downtown(for now).

This is from a few weeks ago.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2385/2440984238_0565a4a888_b.jpg

^^ That angle will look drastically different in 10yrs, I hope!

Wow, just went through the Park East on the bus. PROGRESS!!!
Looks like The North End is starting to rise, and the fence around the Eastern parcel of Park East Square is very visible.

What's with the excavation on the SE corner of Ogden and Broadway? Is the dirt being used somewhere else?

I think the Ogden and Broadway location in question was a condominium project that well didn't work out so well... What was it going to be called? anyone?

Terraces at River Bluff

The North End

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2467390395_e242af550f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2467390395/)


The Residences on Water

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2468247550_594f4c8d6e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2468247550/)

I like how 1000 N. Water (pinkish building in back) is peaking from behind the construction.

So I did some wandering yesterday and took lots of pictures. I realize how bad these are, but I thought I'd post them anyway.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02741.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02742.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02743.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02744.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02745.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02746.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02747.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02748.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02749.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02750.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02850.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02862.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02864.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02866.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02867.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02868.jpg

Hmm...the only people I know around here who ride horses are the cops.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02869.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02870.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/ajknee/DSC02871.jpg

That's it. Looking back at these, I'm actually kind of pleased with how much progress has been made in the Park East. There are a few completed buildings there.

I was in town yesterday too for the first time in months, and walked the same areas.

My only criticism of your work is that your colors are not nearly as intense (except for 1 photo) as the real things.

It was a gorgeous day, wasnt it?

edit to delete

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2550703475_5f45516fec.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2550703475/)

Lookin good!

If Mark doesn't mind me saying.... ^^ Sick!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2566956812_1cc37716f3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2566956812/)

So far the sickest!
Thanks Two

Anyone else notice the strike at The Residences on Water? Anyone know what it's all about?

Glazers union on strike, which usually prevents other trades from also crossing the picket line to work - should be resolved soon.

In the picture posted on 6/4/08, what is going on at the SE corner of Knapp and Water?

Nice pictures, Twoaday. Thanks for sharing.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2550703475_5f45516fec.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2550703475/)

That's one of the stages for Riversplash, one of the many festivals.

http://www.riversplash.com/

There’s a black crane just to the south of the Manpower building… Does anyone know anything about it?

There’s a black crane just to the south of the Manpower building… Does anyone know anything about it?

They are not native, so I'd imagine that it's from someone's private zoo or something. I don't think Milwaukee's Zoo has one. Very cool.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Black_crowned_crane_in_zoo_tierpark_friedrichsfelde_berlin_germany.jpg/450px-Black_crowned_crane_in_zoo_tierpark_friedrichsfelde_berlin_germany.jpg

LOL

:hammer:

Yikes I heard it is because they intend to demolish that building between Manpower and Timewarner... Lets hope it isn't for more parking.

Yikes I heard it is because they intend to demolish that building between Manpower and Timewarner... Lets hope it isn't for more parking.

Parking would still look better than the run down, broken, graffiti tagged building there now. :yes:

Yikes I heard it is because they intend to demolish that building between Manpower and Timewarner... Lets hope it isn't for more parking.

I would hope not. Rehabilitating that old power plant into new uses was part of Grunau's "Riverbend Place" redevelopment plan for the area--the first phase of which was the new Manpower building and garage. They've got some TIF money for that, too.

ematt> Tearing down buildings to put in parking lots are just terrible. The problem is once a building is removed a lot can sit empty for decades. For example The Residences on Water lots were empty for something like 40 years I believe.

Markitect> Yea I hope I have bad information on that one but well.... we'll know soon.

Biking by it everyday on the way to work, certainly looks like it is coming down. They are destroying the thing on the inside currently.

I will be over there tonight to take pictures.

I thought there were plans for the building. I imagine they are gutting it like they did the Time Warner building and then will restore the outside.

Staybridge Suites (taken 7/12):
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1802/staybridge712xr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Unfortunately that building in question next to Manpower is in fact coming down:
http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/7/17/north-powerhouse-building-being-torn-down

Thanks for the pic i_am_hydrogen. I like this building, the Staybridge, but I am a little disappointed by how it turned out compared to the renderings I saw. In the rendering the building looked to be an all blue glass building but they actually used white concrete. I still like the building though and think it's a great addition to Water St.

I like this building, the Staybridge, but I am a little disappointed by how it turned out compared to the renderings I saw. In the rendering the building looked to be an all blue glass building but they actually used white concrete.

That was a nighttime rendering, so the white concrete appeared as a darker color. The daytime renderings showed it to be a bluish glass and white concrete building...just as what's being built.

Wow I just walked by this today, it really looks near completion. Great structure!

MONDAY, July 21, 2008, 4:01 p.m.
By Steve Schultze

County impatient with Park East developer
Milwaukee County officials today signaled their impatience with Chicago developer RSC & Associates, saying the county may seek new proposals for a Park East Freeway site that RSC wanted for a residential and retail development.

The board's Economic & Community Development Committee voted 7-0 to consult with RSC on whether it still has an interest in buying the site, bounded by N. Milwaukee St., N. Broadway, E. Lyon St. and E. Ogden Ave.

The firm has paid the county $115,000 in options toward the $3.5 million purchase price. RSC has plans to build 175 residential units and 185,000 square feet of retail space at an estimated cost of $100 million.

"The prospects for that proposal going forward are very, very dim," said Supervisor Joseph Rice. He called for finding a new developer "with a greater sense of urgency."

Craig Dillman, manager of real estate services for the county, said RSC had been focused on its development plans for an adjacent Park East plot, where RSC wants to build apartments, retail space and a hotel.

Richard Curto, RSC's chief executive, couldn't be immediately reached. The firm agreed to buy the property in September 2005.

Pretty good article, sounds like a great place to live!
http://www.milwaukeepalomar.com/flashAssets/article_pdf/sbt_20080627.pdf

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2669765000_6d19faedb5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2669765000/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2702117244_b5af113d3a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2702117244/)

I snagged some photos of the North Powerhouse right as they started to take it down. I have some more that I'll upload tomorrow that show half the building demolished, and I'll take some more tomorrow.

This is the building next door to the Manpower building along the Milwaukee River.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2691040898_70ce8edafa.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/compujeramey/2691040898/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2691039630_66d300aac8.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/compujeramey/2691039630/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2690224091_8dcdae46d9.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/compujeramey/2690224091/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2690227261_bbb4f57efa.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/compujeramey/2690227261/)

This one absolutely breaks my heart. I used to imagine this building being my house as a child, I would have my mom drive out of the way to see it whenever we came downtown, and I cried a week ago when I first noticed it coming down.

That building wasnt good enought to convert? Seen SOOO much worse what a same

Who knows what was going on engineering-wise in that building. They may have wanted to save it, but, like Harley Davidson found out nearly ten years ago when they had planned to put their museum in the old Schlitz brewhouse, when you get to digging around an old building you never what you'll find that can make plans change. They probably should not have given their word to the City that they would save the building if they really didn't know they would be able to.

Oh well. That was always one of my favorite old Milwaukee industrial landmarks. I remember when it was covered with graffiti from top to bottom all the time. I looked forward to seeing it reborn.

I wrote up a short article on the demolition of the North Powerhouse (http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2008/07/28/north-powerhouse-demolitionnorth-powerhouse-demolition/) near the Manpower headquarters. It includes photos of the demolition work and gives a link for more.

As a teaser, here's a little taste.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2710714409_1981437ca2.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/compujeramey/2710714409/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2711533912_5c637d1e8e.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/compujeramey/2711533912/in/set-72157606424473527/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2710717111_1e80b78d97.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/compujeramey/2710717111/in/set-72157606424473527/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2729291471_eb316a9e61.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2729291471/)

What is that structure rising in the background?

I had that thought too, but I think it's just the back end of the building. It definitely looks farther away than it really is.

Thanks for the updates, Twoaday...

if anyone DIDN'T click on the photo to go to the Flickr account, do it now. Great shots.

What is that structure rising in the background?

Both structures are part of the same development, the North End, which will eventually be made up of multiple buildings on multiple blocks between Water Street and the river. You can find renderings earlier in this thread.

the residences on the water is exteriorly complete!

the residences on the water is exteriorly complete!

QDoba? Come on...

What would you have liked to see in that spot?

QDoba? Come on...

Skyline Chili...

No, just kidding.

Really ANYTHING other than a sub shop or a burrito place. Chipotle is three blocks away and there are already QDoba's at the Grand Avenue and on Prospect (both are in walking distance.)

I'm not about to put up a fuss or anything, I'm just a tiny bit disappointed.

HAHA, hell at this point I'd put up with a liquor store or a check cashing place.

I would be throwing a fit too if it was somewhere else, but it's near the heart of the water street binge drinking scene. Most there will love decent eats they can stumble too. All the office workers within a couple blocks are probably happy about it too, the grand is too far to walk for lunch.

At least if they have a half-hour like me...

In return, employees should get good health benefits, union backers says

By TOM DAYKIN
tdaykin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 21, 2008

A developer that wants to build a luxury hotel in downtown Milwaukee’s Park East area hopes to get $2 million in city financial help, according to a group of labor union supporters.

As a result, Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital Corp. and the hotel’s operator, San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels, should provide decent health care benefits to the hotel’s future workers, union supporters say.

Members of two groups, Unite Here and Citizen Action, will stage a rally Saturday in support of that goal. Gatehouse hopes to develop the 184-room Kimpton Palomar Hotel, along with 65 condominiums, on the block bordered by W. Juneau and W. McKinley avenues, and N. Old World 3rd and N. 4th streets.

The two groups say Gatehouse is seeking $2 million in city financial assistance for the $145 million project.

The city would borrow that money, with the Palomar’s property taxes used to pay back that amount plus interest payments on the debt.

“Members of Unite Here and Citizen Action are concerned that this developer may choose to accept the subsidy yet still provide inadequate health benefits for hotel workers, undercutting area hotel standards and pushing hotel workers onto public assistance,” the groups said in a statement.

Gatehouse plans to build the Palomar project with union labor, said Jeff Cohen, chief operating officer, in a statement.

Gatehouse also plans to provide prevailing wages to the hotel employees and benefits “that are as good or, in fact, exceed union operating requirements,” Cohen said.

But the union’s request for higher health care benefits for hotel employees would make the project unfeasible, Cohen said.

“Further, despite repeated meetings with the union, we have yet to understand what specific economic benefit goes to the employee above what we have always offered,” Cohen’s statement said. “If the city would like to have the project operated as a union facility, it will need to provide the funds necessary, as it is simply not supported by the economics in this market.”

Gatehouse, backed by Texas billionaire investor Thomas Hicks, hopes to begin construction on the two-year project in November if it can secure financing.

The 22-story development would include a parking structure and 20,000 square feet of retail space.

That's awesome! I want renderings. I'm so happy about the location of this puppy too.

That's awesome! I want renderings. I'm so happy about the location of this puppy too.

Renderings for the Palomar proposal have been out for several months now. Check the first page of this thread to see them.

Renderings for the Palomar proposal have been out for several months now. Check the first page of this thread to see them.

Mark, if you have any amendments or additions to the first page of the thread, let me know. I want it to be as accurate as possible.

It looks like a strong possibility that Park East area's loss is Delafield's gain.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=786051

This will most likely considerably scale down the MLG project in the Park East area, if it hasn't been already. The article did suggest that Associated Bank might be interested in moving into the MLG project. But I don't suspect much will be decided by Associated Bank until after the "banking crisis" has passed.

In return, employees should get good health benefits, union backers says

By TOM DAYKIN
tdaykin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 21, 2008

A developer that wants to build a luxury hotel in downtown Milwaukee’s Park East area hopes to get $2 million in city financial help, according to a group of labor union supporters.

As a result, Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital Corp. and the hotel’s operator, San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels, should provide decent health care benefits to the hotel’s future workers, union supporters say.

Members of two groups, Unite Here and Citizen Action, will stage a rally Saturday in support of that goal. Gatehouse hopes to develop the 184-room Kimpton Palomar Hotel, along with 65 condominiums, on the block bordered by W. Juneau and W. McKinley avenues, and N. Old World 3rd and N. 4th streets.

The two groups say Gatehouse is seeking $2 million in city financial assistance for the $145 million project.

The city would borrow that money, with the Palomar’s property taxes used to pay back that amount plus interest payments on the debt.

“Members of Unite Here and Citizen Action are concerned that this developer may choose to accept the subsidy yet still provide inadequate health benefits for hotel workers, undercutting area hotel standards and pushing hotel workers onto public assistance,” the groups said in a statement.

Gatehouse plans to build the Palomar project with union labor, said Jeff Cohen, chief operating officer, in a statement.

Gatehouse also plans to provide prevailing wages to the hotel employees and benefits “that are as good or, in fact, exceed union operating requirements,” Cohen said.

But the union’s request for higher health care benefits for hotel employees would make the project unfeasible, Cohen said.

“Further, despite repeated meetings with the union, we have yet to understand what specific economic benefit goes to the employee above what we have always offered,” Cohen’s statement said. “If the city would like to have the project operated as a union facility, it will need to provide the funds necessary, as it is simply not supported by the economics in this market.”

Gatehouse, backed by Texas billionaire investor Thomas Hicks, hopes to begin construction on the two-year project in November if it can secure financing.

The 22-story development would include a parking structure and 20,000 square feet of retail space.

I think it's a bit ridiculous for the city to be paying $2,000,000 so that a special group of employees that work in Milwaukee get extra benefits. This money would be better spent reconstructing our local streets, improving local transit, or any number of areas that could be better.

Subsidizing health insurance for a few randomly selected people is pointless and sets the stage for every developer to expect a handout.

They aren't so much paying them the money as a hand-out...more so a "loan". As it states in the article, these monies would be recovered by the developments property taxes...plus the interest on the debt. Dumping it straight into street repairs brings no gains (monetarily speaking). Hopefully that with which they make out with in this "investment" can then go to more/better repairs down the road (not sure if I really intended that pun or not).

I do see your point though...can we expect future developments to now teeter on a "what can you do for me" vantage point?

You know this situation just goes to show the plague that is union work. Give them more than they typically ask for, and they then demand more on top of that. They are essentially holding this project hostage. They are asking for more than what is being offered, which is at or above their own requirements, and with the current state of the economy, they are, currently, the only feasible way to go forward with this...and they know it, which could in turn make the whole thing flop if they start asking too much.

I had to deal with union workers while setting up boat shows at the McCormick Place years ago...what a PITA!! We almost got in a fight with a few of them because we intervened when they were about to ruin the hull of one of our boats. We told them to stop before they effed up the boat and they went BALLISTIC!! They have a major god-like complex and it goes against everything I have ever learned about honest pay for honest work.

Did anybody go/hear about the rally on saturday?

They aren't so much paying them the money as a hand-out...more so a "loan". As it states in the article, these monies would be recovered by the developments property taxes...plus the interest on the debt. Dumping it straight into street repairs brings no gains (monetarily speaking). Hopefully that with which they make out with in this "investment" can then go to more/better repairs down the road (not sure if I really intended that pun or not).


Well, it's not a loan, however you want to phrase it. It is city taxpayers paying for the healthcare of a relatively modest amount of employees, for no reason other than the market doesn't support paying them with great healthcare.

How it's financed, with an advance of the property taxes to be paid by this development, is only the icing on the cake as to whether this should be rejected. As far as street repairs creating investment, if you follow your logic then cities only have costs which are all unrelated to the revenue they gain. So being a rational city, Milwaukee should reduce police protection, road maintenance, social services, and public health expenditures because they don't directly contribute to revenue...:bash:

Well, it's not a loan, however you want to phrase it. It is city taxpayers paying for the healthcare of a relatively modest amount of employees, for no reason other than the market doesn't support paying them with great healthcare.

How it's financed, with an advance of the property taxes to be paid by this development, is only the icing on the cake as to whether this should be rejected. As far as street repairs creating investment, if you follow your logic then cities only have costs which are all unrelated to the revenue they gain. So being a rational city, Milwaukee should reduce police protection, road maintenance, social services, and public health expenditures because they don't directly contribute to revenue...:bash:

I don't think you understand what the article was saying.. The "community organizations" brought up the fact that Gatehouse wanted 2Mil for the project from the city. The organizations are the ones that want the developer to do all that special crap and it actually has nothing to do with the TIF at this point... they just want to pressure the city into making it part of the deal. A stipulation I believe the city has rejected in the past and probably will continue to do so. (hopefully)

I don't think you understand what the article was saying.. The "community organizations" brought up the fact that Gatehouse wanted 2Mil for the project from the city. The organizations are the ones that want the developer to do all that special crap and it actually has nothing to do with the TIF at this point... they just want to pressure the city into making it part of the deal. A stipulation I believe the city has rejected in the past and probably will continue to do so. (hopefully)

Yes, I do understand what the article was saying, I also understand that any handouts that would be given, which I also doubt would happen, would be paid through the existing TIF district. It's obvious they're trying to push this and the developer doesn't support them. Otherwise Gatehouse Capital group would be asking the city instead of having this group float a trial balloon through the JS.

@jesse well ruvin did float the idea of getting a TIF for this project at least a year ago.

QDoba? Come on...

well, went by today and the Qboda is open...just in time for all of the Harley business.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2819754665_35ca7e325a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2819754665/)

Taken 9/7:
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/8527/marriot971ni0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9752/marriot97jw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ Those look like renderings.

Wow, that really changes the look of that neighborhood. I like it.

Economic downturn dooms Park East development
By TOM DAYKIN
tdaykin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 11, 2008

The economic slowdown, particularly among retailers, has scratched another development proposed for downtown Milwaukee: a shopping, entertainment and housing complex slated for the Park East area.

Chicago developer Richard Curto said Thursday he’s dropping his plans for the empty block between N. Milwaukee St. and N. Broadway and E. Lyon St. and E. Ogden Ave.

Curto said the project was doomed by a big drop in leasing activity among retail and restaurant chains and a slowdown in the downtown condo market. Curto’s firm, RSC & Associates, had planned to build 175 apartments or condos and 185,000 square feet of commercial space.

“It’s unfortunate,” Curto said. “But that’s what happens when you hit an economic cycle like this on that type of product mix.”

It’s a step backward in efforts to develop 16 acres of vacant land on downtown’s northern edge. The land, owned by Milwaukee County, was made available after the Park East Freeway stub was demolished.

RSC in December bought another block, bordered by N. Milwaukee, N. Jefferson and E. Lyon streets and E. Ogden Ave., for $2.725 million. It is the only Park East parcel so far sold by the county.

Curto’s plans to build a 122-room Hyatt Place boutique hotel and a 102-room Hyatt Summerfield Suites extended-stay hotel on that block have been delayed. RSC also plans to build 105 apartments and 6,900 square feet of retail space on that block.

RSC agreed three years ago to buy the other block for $3.5 million. The firm paid the county $115,000 in non-refundable deposits for purchase options, which have since lapsed.

The parcel sales help generate funds for the county, and development of those parcels creates property tax revenue and jobs while also filling in a large slice of vacant land.

Other Milwaukee-area development proposals have been postponed or have run into delays, with commercial lenders cutting back on loans for large projects.

Developer Robert Ruvin had planned to begin work this summer on a 160-room Aloft hotel on a parking lot that Ruvin Development owns overlooking the Milwaukee River, north of W. Juneau Ave. But no work has been done on the project site.

In May, developer Charles Gabaldon dropped plans to convert the seven-story Posner Building, 152 W. Wisconsin Ave., into a 160-room Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites. Developer Scott Fergus announced in January that he was unable to obtain financing for Pointe Blue, which would have created 434 condos, 90 apartments and commercial space overlooking Lake Michigan just north of downtown Racine.

I've got the information clarified. I actually went to the sales center of the moderne today and pretended I was interested in buying a condo, they're going to break ground within 6 months-- not in october, they say it should be completed in late 09 early '10.

I also went to the Palomar sales center and picked up on really cool information, I took some pictures of the models. Probably put them up here tomorrow when I get them uploaded

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2936947104_b156196f52.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2936947104/)

they have windows up on the other side

is there a promotional website for that block 12 proposal that came out like a year ago?

is there a promotional website for that block 12 proposal that came out like a year ago?

No. It's still a pretty speculative proposal, so there's not much to promote.

The North End
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2963153150_2ce262c1b3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/2963153150/)

Aloft Hotel developer adds new partners
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel

Oct. 28, 2008 9:16 a.m. | The Aloft Hotel planned for downtown Milwaukee's Park East area has added some new owners, it was disclosed today.

Milwaukee River Hotel LLC, the investors group developing the 160-room Aloft, has added partners from Wave Development, which has built hotels in Wisconsin and other states.

The new investors, including Wave partner Ed Carow, have joined Ruvin Development partners Robert Ruvin and David Florsheim on the Aloft project, Ruvin said today. Construction is to begin soon on the hotel, which would overlook the Milwaukee River, north of W. Juneau Ave.

Carow's involvement was disclosed in a press release from the Wisconsin Community Development Legacy Fund, which last week announced it had allocated $10 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits to help finance the $40 million Aloft project. The credits are used to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in low-income areas.

There's a construction trailer and an excavator at the Aolft site!! :banana:

Michael Symon, the guy who won "The Next Iron Chef" last year is going to have a restaraunt in the hotel

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20081106/FREE/811069969/1022

Now we have the McKinley District? Okay....

Now we have the McKinley District? Okay....

The Park East Redevelopment Plan (http://www.mkedcd.org/parkeast/PEplanwhat.html) divides the corridor into three districts (McKinley Avenue, Upper Water, Street and Lower Water Street), each with their own distinct characteristics.

So yes, the Iron Chef guy's restaurant in the Palomar building will be in the McKinley district.

double post

Not terribly exciting but activity at the Aloft:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/3021352720_443cf040b1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3021352720/)

^^ It's officially u/c

It is exciting. That will provide a key link in the RiverWalk.

@Eriol That is true the new Riverwalk section will definitely be great, and just to see activity continue in the Park East is a good thing. I just think on the river they could do a bit better but I guess we'll see.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/34993304.html

ruvin drama..

I had a feeling that guy was in trouble since he bailed out of two projects.

Now that the A Loft has a new developer, I wonder if the plans changed.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/3059574099_671e98fb17.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3059574099/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/3083062157_9b02af2ce7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3083062157/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/3145472357_d1042cf024.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3145472357/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3146304984_e19062f4df.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3146304984/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3200342341_b441fb5cdb.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3200342341/)

I got to see this today, and if all the ground floor retail fills up nicely it will do a LOT to bring vibrancy to the area.

The North end kinda looks like the edge.

The Moderne (planned)
A 30-story mixed used building featuring 80 condominiums, a 120 room hotel, and 16,000 square feet of first floor retail space.
[IMG]http://www.themoderne.net/images/Moderne_112607RGBlarge.jpg
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/apr07/moderne_042407_big.jpg



If there's any news on the Modern, please tell!

If there's any news on the Modern, please tell!

Published February 6, 2009


The recession has put a major damper on real estate development, especially for major projects, which are struggling to obtain financing in the middle of a major credit crunch.

A perfect example of that is the $158 million Milwaukee Hotel Palomar and Residences development that Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital wanted to build in the Park East corridor. Gatehouse recently cancelled the project, saying it could not obtain financing. The developer asked the city for $18 million in assistance for the project, but that request was denied. In addition, the project struggled to sell its 66 condos.

Meanwhile, across Juneau Avenue, the developers for the proposed 31-story, $75 million The Moderne development remain optimistic that their project will get built, despite the failure of the Palomar project and the challenges posed by the recession.

The Moderne recently obtained a $1.5 million equity investment from four investors from Hong Kong, said Rick Barrett, managing partner for The Moderne LLC. Barrett’s partner in the development, Tan Lo of Lo Enterprises LLC, has connections with the Hong Kong investors, who may invest more in the project later, Barrett said.

The new financing dramatically increases the chances that the project will get built, Barrett said. The funds will help attract more investment to the project. It also provides funding to create more detailed construction documents which are necessary to obtain financing, and it will pay for a $250,000 ad campaign this year with First Weber.

“We’re very, very excited,” Barrett said. “This is a huge step for us.”

The project now has obtained $5 million in equity financing and needs to attract another $15 million. In addition, a $40 million construction loan will be needed.

That sounds daunting in this economy, but Barrett, who developed some of the condominiums on the Commerce Street Beerline, is confident that The Moderne will break ground this year.

“We’re building this thing in ‘09,” Barrett said. “I’m confident of it. We’re going vertical. We have a fundamentally sound project. We have banks and investors interested in the project. We definitely have interested parties in the construction loan.”

To help attract financing, the developers have made some adjustment to the interior mix of the building, which was designed by Matt Rinka of Milwaukee-based Rinka|Chung Architecture Inc.

The number of condominiums in the building has been reduced from 81 to 33. The number of executive apartments in the building has been increased from between 60-84 to 154.

The changes in the unit mix of the building could help the developers in their effort to attract financing. Condominium sales have slowed dramatically downtown since the housing market collapsed in 2007, and the financial industry crisis of 2008 has placed even more stress on that market.

Meanwhile, apartment occupancy rates in downtown Milwaukee remain well above 90 percent according to most reports.

So far, 13, or about 40 percent, of the 33 condos in The Moderne have been reserved.

The recent cancellation of the Palomar project and shifts from condos to apartments at The Moderne and the Residences on Water project have removed 145 condominiums from the downtown market, which some real estate industry observers say has a glut of condo inventory.

It will take 22 months to build The Moderne, so its developers expect the recession to be over when the building project is complete. The site will be ready to begin construction in May, subject to financing.

BizTimes.com
http://www.biztimes.com/news/2009/2/6/real-estate-the-moderne-gains-more-financing

Published February 6, 2009


The recession has put a major damper on real estate development, especially for major projects, which are struggling to obtain financing in the middle of a major credit crunch.

A perfect example of that is the $158 million Milwaukee Hotel Palomar and Residences development that Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital wanted to build in the Park East corridor. Gatehouse recently cancelled the project, saying it could not obtain financing. The developer asked the city for $18 million in assistance for the project, but that request was denied. In addition, the project struggled to sell its 66 condos.

Meanwhile, across Juneau Avenue, the developers for the proposed 31-story, $75 million The Moderne development remain optimistic that their project will get built, despite the failure of the Palomar project and the challenges posed by the recession.

The Moderne recently obtained a $1.5 million equity investment from four investors from Hong Kong, said Rick Barrett, managing partner for The Moderne LLC. Barrett’s partner in the development, Tan Lo of Lo Enterprises LLC, has connections with the Hong Kong investors, who may invest more in the project later, Barrett said.

The new financing dramatically increases the chances that the project will get built, Barrett said. The funds will help attract more investment to the project. It also provides funding to create more detailed construction documents which are necessary to obtain financing, and it will pay for a $250,000 ad campaign this year with First Weber.

“We’re very, very excited,” Barrett said. “This is a huge step for us.”

The project now has obtained $5 million in equity financing and needs to attract another $15 million. In addition, a $40 million construction loan will be needed.

That sounds daunting in this economy, but Barrett, who developed some of the condominiums on the Commerce Street Beerline, is confident that The Moderne will break ground this year.

“We’re building this thing in ‘09,” Barrett said. “I’m confident of it. We’re going vertical. We have a fundamentally sound project. We have banks and investors interested in the project. We definitely have interested parties in the construction loan.”

To help attract financing, the developers have made some adjustment to the interior mix of the building, which was designed by Matt Rinka of Milwaukee-based Rinka|Chung Architecture Inc.

The number of condominiums in the building has been reduced from 81 to 33. The number of executive apartments in the building has been increased from between 60-84 to 154.

The changes in the unit mix of the building could help the developers in their effort to attract financing. Condominium sales have slowed dramatically downtown since the housing market collapsed in 2007, and the financial industry crisis of 2008 has placed even more stress on that market.

Meanwhile, apartment occupancy rates in downtown Milwaukee remain well above 90 percent according to most reports.

So far, 13, or about 40 percent, of the 33 condos in The Moderne have been reserved.

The recent cancellation of the Palomar project and shifts from condos to apartments at The Moderne and the Residences on Water project have removed 145 condominiums from the downtown market, which some real estate industry observers say has a glut of condo inventory.

It will take 22 months to build The Moderne, so its developers expect the recession to be over when the building project is complete. The site will be ready to begin construction in May, subject to financing.

BizTimes.com
http://www.biztimes.com/news/2009/2/6/real-estate-the-moderne-gains-more-financing

Very nice. Let's keep our fingers crossed. To get this wonderful-looking project done in this economy would be stupendous!

My fingers are crossed!

So I might be wrong, but I was driving by the site on Thursday, and it looked like there was construction equipment on the north side of juneau along the river. Is that where they are building the moderne? If it is, it looks like they might be starting construction. If thats not the location (on the other side of juneau from the moderne trailers) then anyone know what they are building over there?

that's the aloft.

That's the new Aloft hotel. It's going to be five stories I believe.

http://www.ruvindevelopment.com/images/aloft/aloft05.jpg

The North End.... This is pretty cool as the first residents will begin moving in soon.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3360539284_e40b33e8c6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3360539284/)

Is that the north end of the North End? Where is this picture?

That looks like the south end of the North End. Taken from Water St, immediately north of Lacke & Joys.

Sorry for the delay but yes that is the spot. I can't believe people will begin moving in, in like 2 weeks.

Does anyone have any updates on the Staybridge Suites building? I work across the street, and I haven't seen ANY workers in the windows for weeks!!

:dunno:

Does anyone have any updates on the Staybridge Suites building? I work across the street, and I haven't seen ANY workers in the windows for weeks!!

:dunno:

Construction got stalled because of financing. The Biz Times said it would start up next week.

Isn't occupancy supposed to be starting up at the North End soon?

@bjkeys321 Yea last I heard was early April. So yea it's going to be tight!

And here's progress on the Aloft

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3409068068_bf807a7e49.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3409068068/)

^^^ At least it looks like it'll fill out the site to the sidewalk. Still a serious disappointment.

At least the moderne is picking up momentum fast! I'm really excited about it.

At least the moderne is picking up momentum fast! I'm really excited about it.

"Picking up momentum", I sure hope so. I've fallen in love with that building!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3504459832_f4065bb225.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3504459832/)

Maybe there is more to it that I just don't see, but it doesn't look like they have made much progress on that when you compare it to the pic in the 04/03 post above. Did they freeze construction for a while or am I just not seeing the progress?

Good point it doesn't look like it has changed much. Here's another angle:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3504462254_705e8ed59a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3504462254/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3619139139_f9ebf7f0ac.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3619139139/)

Is it just me, or does the Aloft project look nothing like the renderings?

It's not just you. I don't know what's up with that, but I'm actually much happier with this design than the last rendering we saw.

My guess is that as the project dropped in height, any zoning requests or need for public input went away, and the building is now being built under existing zoning, i.e. by right... That's my guess anyhow.

DCD's Park East website has a teeny-tiny rendering of the revised aloft that resembles what is actually being built. On top of the 5 story portion will be the Aloft signature swooping top.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3619139139_f9ebf7f0ac.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3619139139/)

Drove past the Aloft hotel construction site on Tuesday. Could I be wrong, but I thought I saw a large group of union workers on strike (northwest corner)! Is this why this project is taking so long to get built? And, what the hell are the workers thinking during these tough economic times? Perhaps they should find employment elsewhere if so confident in their marketable skills and let others wanting the work complete the project. Who knows the full story here? My perception may be flawed.

@Boatnurd My guess is that you saw union workers protesting non-union construction. They have been at the North End for months as well. The Aloft will be topping off next week (or the one after) I think... New photo

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3684054595_9beae1642e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/3684054595/)

Thanks for the clarification Twoaday. It was difficult to read the detail in the signs they were holding. My guess is many casually passing by thought what I thought initially that the workers were striking.

I bike past that construction site every morning on my way to work-- those idiots are out there "on strike" every day and all day... what a waste of time and human resources. they are civil enough but all they do is stand/sit around holding signs that nobody reads and they tell old fishing stories to each other...and they're getting unemployment benefits for this probably. nice.

p.s. - i recommend biking and not driving past sites in town. you see a lot more that way ;)

How can they be striking in these tough economic times? They should be grateful they have a job! That's why Unions are no good. They're just lazy.

Moderne loans win committee OK; council approval likely

By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Nov. 3, 2009 8:58 a.m.

The City of Milwaukee will lend $9.3 million to help finance development of a $55.2 million apartment high-rise under a recommendation approved unanimously this morning by the Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.

The loan proposal will be reviewed by the full council later this morning. Supporters are confident it will obtain enough votes to win approval. If that happens, site preparation work on the 30-story Moderne high-rise could begin soon.


http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/68844897.html

Moderne loans win committee OK; council approval likely

By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Nov. 3, 2009 8:58 a.m.

The City of Milwaukee will lend $9.3 million to help finance development of a $55.2 million apartment high-rise under a recommendation approved unanimously this morning by the Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.

The loan proposal will be reviewed by the full council later this morning. Supporters are confident it will obtain enough votes to win approval. If that happens, site preparation work on the 30-story Moderne high-rise could begin soon.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/68844897.html

Update: Full Approval by Common Council (http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2009/11/3/milwaukee-council-approves-loans-for-the-moderne), and construction likely to begin in next month.

Project list updated.

So now that this project is going ahead, I need to figure out how to pronounce it. Is it "Tha MAH-dern" or "Tha mo-DAIRN"?

This is a sweet pic from compujeramy on Flikr, of Urban Milwaukee (also twoaday?).

Really shows what how the street density is beginning to take shape with the new projects U/C in Park East. Good stuff.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3359962785_805b91501c_b.jpg

@EastSider To clear up any confusion compujeramey on flickr is Jeramey on here, and he is the other half of UrbanMilwaukee.com. Thanks for the mention!

PS I think when you post a flickr photo you need to add a link to the photo as per flickr

So now that this project is going ahead, I need to figure out how to pronounce it. Is it "Tha MAH-dern" or "Tha mo-DAIRN"?

HA! I've been wondering the same thing since the first time I read about this thing, but was too embarassed to ask...but I see I am not alone!!

@EastSider To clear up any confusion compujeramey on flickr is Jeramey on here, and he is the other half of UrbanMilwaukee.com. Thanks for the mention!

PS I think when you post a flickr photo you need to add a link to the photo as per flickr
I've never heard or seen any rule that states you have to post a link to the source of where the photos came from. I just clicked onto the site rules and to my surprise it doesn't even state that you have to give credit, however, I've seen moderators state that you have to give credit to who the photos belong to, but never seen them say anything about posting a link. For the last several months all I've been doing is saying who took the photos and where I got it from. If anybody knows the fill rule please let us know.

HA! I've been wondering the same thing since the first time I read about this thing, but was too embarassed to ask...but I see I am not alone!!

LOL, it's Mah-dern, the last e is silent.

@EastSider To clear up any confusion compujeramey on flickr is Jeramey on here, and he is the other half of UrbanMilwaukee.com. Thanks for the mention!

PS I think when you post a flickr photo you need to add a link to the photo as per flickr

Ah thanks for both clarifications. Keep up the good work.

This is a sweet pic from compujeramy on Flikr, of Urban Milwaukee (also twoaday?).

Really shows what how the street density is beginning to take shape with the new projects U/C in Park East. Good stuff.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3359962785_805b91501c_b.jpg

really cool picture. That spot is going to be nice once some sort of retail/resturants fill in the street level space and the rest of the project is completed.

LOL, it's Mah-dern, the last e is silent.

I've heard it pronounced "mo-DAIRN." So now I'm not sure which one is right.

The Aloft isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Not spectucular, but not as terrible as it looked in later renderings.

LOL, it's Mah-dern, the last e is silent.

When I talked to one of the principles on that project he pronounced it with a long 'o' sound. Moe-dairn

When I talked to one of the principles on that project he pronounced it with a long 'o' sound. Moe-dairn

Yup, I just called the sales center and the woman I spoke to said quite definitively that it's the Moh-DAIRN. Sorry Paule.

So now that this project is going ahead, I need to figure out how to pronounce it. Is it "Tha MAH-dern" or "Tha mo-DAIRN"?

LOL, it's Mah-dern, the last e is silent.

I've heard it pronounced "mo-DAIRN." So now I'm not sure which one is right.

When I talked to one of the principles on that project he pronounced it with a long 'o' sound. Moe-dairn

Yup, I just called the sales center and the woman I spoke to said quite definitively that it's the Moh-DAIRN. Sorry Paule.

http://minutillo.com/steve/weblog/images/worst-word-ever.gif

Yup, I just called the sales center and the woman I spoke to said quite definitively that it's the Moh-DAIRN. Sorry Paule.
Well then that's the stupidest thing I ever heard of in my life, almost... What, are these people thinking they're more suave (swa-veh);) by acting French or something?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx64_N4AA04

I don't know about you guys, but I've always pronounced it that way. The extra "e" would make the "mah"derne sound silly...

Mo-dairne sounds silly to me.

They didn't just make up the pronounciation though, it's how you pronounce the architectual style that they used as an influence for this building. Oconomowoc sounds like a silly name for a city to outsiders... but... well, thats what it's called. :)

Ah, the old Oconomowoc arguement, ok, touche...

Finally, some signs of life at Park East (http://www.biztimes.com/news/2009/12/11/real-estate-finally-some-signs-of-life-in-the-park-east)
Biz Times
Dec. 11

http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/BTM%2012|11|09%20Upload/RE-Aloft-Hotel-12_2009.jpg
It was now been about 6 years since the Park East freeway was torn down. City officials hoped the freeway’s demise would attract development that would revitalize the north side of downtown Milwaukee.

For the most part, those city officials are still waiting for that development to happen. Most of the Park East corridor remains vacant and is compared to a “moonscape” by some.

The Great Recession, which had devastating effects on the real estate and financial markets, has only added to delays in attracting development to the Park East corridor.

It is clear that it will take many years for the Park East corridor to be fully developed.

However, there are finally some signs of life brewing in the corridor. One new development was completed this year, another is nearing completion, a handful of others are in the works and redevelopment work continues for the former Pabst brewery property on the west end of the corridor.

The next Park East development that will be completed is the Aloft hotel, which is being built at 1230 N. Old World Third St. The 160-room hotel, which is being developed by Milwaukee River Hotel LLC, is expected to open on Dec. 17.

The five-story hotel will have 5,000 square feet of meeting space, a fitness center, an indoor pool on the first floor overlooking a new riverwalk segment and the Wxyz Bar in the lobby/lounge area. Previous plans for retail space in the building were eliminated, replacing it with the meeting space. About 35 to 40 employees will work at the hotel once it is fully staffed next year.

The Aloft hotel will be the first new hotel to open in downtown Milwaukee in several years. The Iron Horse Hotel opened last year and a Days Inn Hotel of the Arts opened earlier this year. Both of those hotels are located near the downtown area, but are not located within the downtown.

The Park East corridor location is a major asset for the Aloft hotel, said general manager Lisa Aldrich. The hotel is located only one block northeast of the Bradley Center and one block south of the Manpower Inc. corporate headquarters. Bars, restaurants and shops along Old World Third Street will be appealing to hotel guests, Aldrich said.

“I think we are in a great location,” she said. “I feel the city center is moving north, and a little west.”

In addition, the hotel’s location along McKinley Avenue will makes it easy for out of town visitors to find off the freeway.

“People are so glad when they hear they don’t have to zig-zag through downtown to get here,” Aldrich said.

The Aloft hotel is located northeast of Old World Third Street and Juneau Avenue. A major development is expected to break ground in January at the southwest corner of the intersection.

That’s where investors, led by developer Rick Barrett, plan to build The Moderne, a 30-story building with 203 apartments, 14 condominiums and 7,230 square feet of retail space. The building will be constructed by J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. It will take about two years to build. The $55.24 million Moderne project has a $41.4 million loan from the AFL-CIO Investment Trust. The loan has received a preliminary guarantee by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s 221(d)4 program. The project also received a $9.3 million loan from the city of Milwaukee.

Barrett says he is bullish on the Park East corridor, which is why he wanted to build The Moderne there.

Like Aldrich, Barrett says a major asset for the Park East corridor is that McKinley Avenue has become a major route into downtown.

“I’m so excited about the Park East because it is now the main entrance to downtown Milwaukee,” Barrett said. “I just firmly believe there is so much opportunity here. I just feel it is going to be such a big corridor for our city. I just love this area.”

Barrett is so bullish on the Park East corridor that he says he would like to do another development on a Milwaukee County-owned property there in the future. He says he has no specific plans for that project at this time.

Two other projects are under construction in the Park East corridor.

Dan Druml, the Milwaukee franchisee for Paul Davis Restoration, is redeveloping the block northwest of North 6th Street and McKinley Avenue. That project, called Haymarket Square, includes renovation of a building at 1311 N. 6th St. About 45,000 square feet of space in the building will be occupied by Santa Ana, Calif.-based Corinthian Colleges Inc., which plans to open its first Wisconsin campus there. Corinthian Colleges provides post-secondary education, primarily for career-oriented students. The Milwaukee campus is expected to open in time for next fall’s school year. The college will have 35 employees in the first year and plans to add another 58 employees during the next four years.

Meanwhile, work continues on Zilber Ltd. founder Joseph Zilber’s massive project to transform the former Pabst brewery, located just past the west end of the Park East corridor, into a mixed-use urban neighborhood. Construction of an 880-space parking structure was completed recently. Redevelopment of three buildings, one for apartments and two for office space, has been completed in the project. In addition, Astronautics Corp. of America is considering the Pabst complex as a possible location for its new corporate headquarters. And, plans are progressing for the proposed University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Public Health to occupy space in the former bottling house building at the Pabst complex.

Another Park East corridor project was completed this year, and was a big success.This summer Milwaukee-based Mandel Group Inc. completed One, an 83-apartment building, which is the first phase of its North End development along the Milwaukee River at the former Pfister & Vogel tannery site. All of the apartments in the building have been leased, according to Mandel Group executives. The building also has 12,000 square feet of retail space.

Meanwhile, the developer for a long-delayed Park East is moving forward with the project. Oak Park, Ill.-based RSC & Associates is seeking up to $30 million in bond financing through the city of Milwaukee for the development.

The tax-exempt redevelopment revenue bonds would be issued through the city’s Redevelopment Authority, providing a low interest financing source for RSC.

According to documents filed with the city, RSC plans to build a 250,000-square-foot development with 121 apartments, five townhouses, a parking structure and 7,800 square feet of retail space on a two-acre vacant site bounded by East Lyons Street, East Ogden Street, North Jefferson Street and North Milwaukee Street.

Later, RSC plans to add two hotels, a 128-room Hyatt Place boutique hotel and a 102-room Hyatt Summerfield Suites extended stay hotel, to the project.

RSC owns the property and the project was approved by the city, but it has been delayed since 2008 because it could not obtain financing after the financial industry meltdown.

RSC purchased the site from Milwaukee County. If the project proceeds, it would be the first Park East corridor property sold by Milwaukee County that has attracted development. All of the Park East developments that have occurred so far have been on sites that were privately owned, except for one site that was previously owned by the city of Milwaukee.

However, a review of the RSC project by the Redevelopment Authority was delayed recently because design issues for the project need to be addressed.

Another development has been proposed for the Park East corridor block between Ogden Avenue and Broadway, Water, Milwaukee, and Lyon streets. Developers Robert Schultz and Harry Drea want to build a $76 million development on that site with about 400 residences and 10,000 square feet of retail space.

However, that project has been placed on the back burner while Schultz and Drea focus on their efforts to obtain financing for their Rivianna development in Walker’s Point, spokesman Evan Zeppos said.

Larger Rendering of RSC's Block
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4207/rscblock1.jpg

Don't know if this is the most recent rendering. Anyone?

Lots of new buildings in Milwaukee, including this one, will be starting before summer.

The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (RACM) approved about $25 million in revenue bonds for RSC & Associates’ Park East corridor apartment building development, called Park East Square.

Click on weblink below to see BizTimes.com story and updated rendering of project; it looks to be about 10-stories with a corner glass tower.

http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly/2010/1/27/#racm-approves-bonds-for-rscs-park-east-project-spring-groundbreaking-planned