Jeramey Jannene
Eyes on Milwaukee

Climb Inside the Belay Apartments

Mandel's "coolest project ever"? It includes unlimited access to a rock-climbing gym.

By - Jul 25th, 2016 06:17 pm

Mandel's "coolest project ever"? It includes unlimited access to a rock-climbing gym. Back to the full article.

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7 thoughts on “Eyes on Milwaukee: Climb Inside the Belay Apartments”

  1. LowG says:

    I hate the rust theme of this building and think the overall design wins it no more favors. I live in Riverwest and will have to look at this building often unfortunately. I understand the challenge of designing for the rock climbing gym, and ultimately it’s Mandel’s building and they can make it look how they want, but I know I could never stand to live here and walk up to a hunk of rust every day…. At least I don’t live right across the street.

  2. Jeff says:

    I agree with LowG. What was Mandel thinking? But then, many Mandel projects have odd-looking facades that will NOT stand the test of time.

  3. Michael D. Holloway says:

    The rust theme is a reminder of the many old buildings I’ve encountered in my travels in Colorado. I like the design and maybe “speaks” to rock climbing – a favorite Colorado past time. Now if someone could remove the adhesive decal that says “adventure rock” and replace same with a design as good as the building it could become an “Eastside (or Riverwest) landmark”as Mr. Monnat notes.

  4. Sam says:

    @ LowG Apparently, that’s the only way to differentiate your apartment building nowadays because EVERY apartment is a rectangular block. I get that modern design is in, but these new apartment buildings seem to be being built to eek out every inch of usable space with no waste or what’d I would call architectural flourishes.

  5. Tony B. says:

    Seriously? It’s done? That ugly thing? Seriously? And people that live in/around Riverwest pay over $2000 a month for rent?

    At least I’m sure they have put USB wall jacks in place so that helps.

  6. Milwaukee Native says:

    A boxy, rusted warehouse-looking design, skimpy floor plans with high rents and measly “community balconies.” The climbing gym seems like the only real draw.

    Yet the Mandel Group says it knows its market. Location, location, location=East Side/riverfront.

  7. Al says:

    Interesting project to mix the apartments and climbing wall facility. Don’t mind the cor-ten cladding as it should look better as it ages and is a more natural look. The climbing walls unfortunately look terrible with the bad color choices. They could have been painted colors more representative to natural rock walls and not some hideous graphic.

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