New East Side Homes

Two new homes are rising in Milwaukee’s Northpoint neighborhood, the end result of a multi-year effort.

Developers Tim Gokhman and Ann Shuk, second-generation business partners at New Land Enterprises, are constructing new personal residences for their families on the 2300 block of N. Terrace Ave.

That alone is not enough to warrant coverage in this column. New homes are constructed across Milwaukee frequently with no media attention.

But the new homes are more than simple rambler-style ranch homes. Together they’re an urban infill project that must balance the desire for modern homes while fitting in alongside century-old neighboring homes. And they’ve been subject to many public meetings.

Gokhman said schools were the driver behind the new houses, which typically means bolting to the suburbs. But fitting with New Land’s focus on the urban environment, Gokhman and Shuk’s families are both staying in the city. He said both wanted to find a way to send their kids to Milwaukee Public Schools‘ Maryland Avenue Montessori School. Living within a mile of the school gives you a better chance of gaining admission, setting off an unusual version of “drive until you can buy” location shopping.

The real estate professionals identified a vacant site left over from the 2005 expansion of Columbia St. Mary’s hospital.

Then things got complicated.

At the request of neighbors and area Alderman Nik Kovac, the Historic Preservation Commission added the property to the adjacent North Point North Historic District in 2018. Neighbors said its inclusion was always intended as part of the hospital expansion.

Joining the historic district made the new structures need to comply with design standards imposed by the historic commission. The commission exercised its control, repeatedly.

After multiple revisions, the commission approved Shuk’s house in late 2019 for the southernmost site at 2381 N. Terrace Ave. Gokhman’s was approved in February 2020 for the site at 2387 N. Terrace Ave.

A construction permit was issued in December 2020.

Architect Jason Korb of Korb + Associates Architects, New Land’s architect of choice, is designing both houses. After starting over on Shuk’s design, the final design of both properties drew praise from the commission.

JM Construction is building both homes.

The Shuk house will have approximately 3,670 square feet of space over two floors, but present itself in line with the many three-story homes in the neighborhood. A porte cochere will provide direct access to a rear garage. The family will relocate to the house from an East Town condominium. The lot includes several thousand square feet of space to its south that will be maintained as a buffer between it and the historic hospital structure.

The Gokhman house will have approximately 3,350 square feet of space over two floors. A two-car attached garage will be hidden behind the house. The Gokhmans will relocate to the house from a house in the Beerline B neighborhood.

Both houses are approved to have a green roof at the rear and solar panels.

And there is still space for another house. A third, northern lot at 2409 N. Terrace Ave. is listed for sale. The 8,276-square-foot property is listed for $350,000. Shuk, through Unlimited Realty Company, is the listing real estate agent.

Photos

Shuk House Renderings

Gokhman House Renderings

Pre-Construction Photos