Marquette Fuels Development

Despite the economic slow down and the perception that all development in Milwaukee occurs on the East Side or in the Third Ward, other parts of the city have their share of activity.

As the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee looks to Wauwatosa for expansion, Marquette is continuing their connection within Milwaukee by building their law school’s new Eckstein Hall in downtown Milwaukee and has plans for new engineering facilities under development. Marquette has recently broken ground on Eckstein Hall which when completed in the summer of 2009 will include courtrooms, classrooms, offices, a conference center, a reading room and a 170-space underground parking garage.

The Ambassador Hotel, whose primary customers are parents of Marquette students and alumni, is undergoing a significant addition that will add meetings rooms, a banquet facility and a parking structure. This expansion unlike many of the hotel proposals in the Milwaukee is not looking for government assistance despite doing a significant multi-million dollar expansion during an economic downturn.

In contrast to the 3rd district where heated debate has revolved around the possible location of a new UWM dorm, in downtown the highly successful 2040 Lofts private dorms has proven that well done dorm facilities can be a benefit to the neighborhood. The Scion Groups’ 2040 Lofts $16.5 million expansion project has risen quickly and is fast approaching its topping off. This second building will be known as “The Signature Suites at 2040 Lofts,” and will add 240 beds of high-end managed student housing. Each unit will include stainless steel appliances, WI-FI, and hardwood-style floors.