The Avenir is a 104-unit, mixed-use apartment building on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side. The building was developed by Wangard Partners and later sold to Weidner Investment Services.
The building includes 7,045 square-feet of retail space, occupied as of May 2015 by Jimmy John’s (opened March 2015), Zoup! (opened May 2015, 2,230 sq-ft), Great Clips, eliteNutrition (opened in February 2015) and JK Nails (opened March 2015).
Parking for the retail tenants is included in a two-level structure in the middle of the block, accessible via E. Lyon St. or N. Jefferson St. Residents are able to park underneath the building.
The building represents the first phase of a two-phase project. The second phase is to include a 95-unit apartment building on the west side of the block.
The official ground breaking for the Avenir was held on November 8th, 2013, though construction had already started.
The project site is bounded by N. Jefferson St. on the east, N. Milwaukee St. on the west, E. Ogden Ave. on the south, and E. Lyon St. on the north.
The site sits on the footprint of the former Park East Freeway, which was demolished in the early 2000’s. The site was originally sold to RSC & Associates of Oak Park, IL. The project as proposed by RSC was known as Park East Square and at various points was proposed to include a large retail store and later two Hyatt hotels. Wangard purchased the block from RSC for $1.5 million.
Photos
Content referencing Avenir
Taste of Lindsay Heights Opens
Plus: The CurderBurger becomes a reality and Sauce & Spice closes at Sherman Phoenix.
Oct 4th, 2021 by Michael Holloway
Fusion Poke Plans Second Location In Town
Restaurant will open on northern edge of Downtown.
Sep 29th, 2021 by Annie Mattea
Delayed Avenir Project Planned for April
64-unit apartment development on Lower East Side was delayed a year by COVID-19.
Mar 15th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Second Phase of Avenir Apartments Advancing
Developer selects Stevens to lead construction, building permit applied for.
Feb 27th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Park East Apartments Cleared for Takeoff
Plus: Why Molson Coors picked Milwaukee over Denver.
Nov 10th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
New Apartments Near Streetcar Line
Plus: Where does the Strauss deal stand? State office building moving forward.
Oct 20th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
City Financing Proposed for Michels’ Massive Development
Proposal to bring hundreds of jobs to Harbor District to get financing help.
Sep 2nd, 2018 by Graham Kilmer
Bader Rutter’s New Downtown Digs
Will its new office building be joined by a 24-story tower?
Apr 21st, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
Bader Rutter’s Riverside Digs
New building, dubbed 1433 Water, will be anchored by marketing firm.
Jan 27th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
Bader Rutter’s New Downtown Digs
New office building quickly rising on site of former Laacke & Joys complex.
Sep 23rd, 2016 by Jeramey Jannene
The North End Grows Yet Again
Phase four of project will have 155 apartments on six floors. But no name as yet.
Jul 1st, 2016 by Jeramey Jannene
Phase Four of North End Underway
Fourth phase of $175 million project adds 155 apartments to booming Lower East Side.
Jan 26th, 2016 by Jeramey Jannene
County narrowly approves Park East project’s final phase
Jan 25th, 2016 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Daykin
5 Wangard Projects to Watch For in 2016
A big year for the developer and proof the city's development momentum hasn't slowed.
Jan 7th, 2016 by Dave Reid
Apartments, retail development proposed for Park East site
Dec 30th, 2015 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Daykin
Wangard Partners Acquires Class A Multifamily Property in Madison
Wangard Partners and its investment group targeted the Madison market as a result of its strong economic and demographic trends.
Nov 23rd, 2015 by Wangard Partners, Inc.
89-Unit Complex Would Face Swing Park
Approval sought for river-side complex with 4 townhouses and 85 apartments embracing Swing Park.
Nov 12th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Wangard Partners’ Property Management Team Expands
“Expanding our property management services and team accomplishes our strategic goals and initiatives while providing a compassionate approach to the tenants and residents we serve.”
Aug 25th, 2015 by Wangard Partners, Inc.
North End Redefines Water Street
Third phase of transformational project fills the gap between Downtown and the Lower East Side.
Jun 5th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Wangard Partners Hits Brady and Water Street Milestones
Demolition on the Brady and Water Street Development Completes with Astounding Salvage Metrics
May 14th, 2015 by Wangard Partners, Inc.
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Stirs Up Milwaukee with May 7th Grand Opening
Fast-casual restaurant opens first location in Wisconsin, offering hundreds of award-winning soups and other fresh fare
May 1st, 2015 by Press Release
Indianapolis Comes to Bay View?
New $40 million, 307-apartment proposal for Bay View offered only a rendering of an Indianapolis project by the developer. When do we get the full package?
Mar 16th, 2015 by Dave Reid
North End III is Rising
New complex with 168 apartments will add density to an area that's booming with development.
Jan 30th, 2015 by Dave Reid
Wangard Partners’ Avenir Apartments Hits Milestone
Avenir Apartments Officially Opens Friday, February 6th!
Jan 28th, 2015 by Wangard Partners, Inc.
Wangard Lands National Soup Shoppe’s 1st Franchise in Wisconsin
Zoup! Opens First Wisconsin-based Franchise at Avenir Apartments!
Jan 22nd, 2015 by Wangard Partners, Inc.
Construction Underway at The North End
Mandel Group is building the third phase of their "neighborhood by design" -- to plug "the doughnut hole in Downtown."
Dec 5th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Avenir Nearly Ready for the Future
The five-story, 104 unit apartment building is nearly ready for occupancy, the first residential development on county-owned Park East land.
Nov 21st, 2014 by Michael Horne
Barrett Moving Forward With Streetcar
If Common Council approves at December 16 meeting, construction would start in late 2015, and Milwaukee would follow in footsteps of many other cities.
Nov 18th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
The Avenir Nears Completion
Featuring 104 apartments and 7,000 square feet of retail space, it's the first mixed-use building constructed on the county's portion of Park East land.
Aug 8th, 2014 by Dave Reid
EPA Announces $1 Million Grant to Clean Up Contaminated Sites in Milwaukee
“This EPA brownfield grant is a solid investment in the future of Milwaukee that will help transform contaminated sites into redevelopment opportunities”
Aug 7th, 2014 by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
“Sage” Apartment Building Nearly Finished
Jackson Street is becoming a nice urban street, now with new, environmentally friendly apartments.
Jun 20th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Finally, a New Park East Plan
Ten years later, the city and county are finally on the same page. Is development in the area ready to "explode"?
Jun 10th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Rise of the Avenir
The 5-story, $21 million building will have 104 apartment units, 7,000 square-feet of retail space, and a Jimmy Johns.
May 9th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Avenir Makes Some Progress
The five-story, 104-unit mixed-use building will have 7,000 square feet of first floor retail.
Mar 7th, 2014 by Urban Milwaukee
The Future Rises in the Park East
The Avenir or "future" is a new five-floor, 104-unit apartment building rising before us.
Dec 13th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Ground Breaking Day in the Park East
A flock of public officials turned out to celebrate the Avenir, a $20.7 million, 104-unit mixed-use building that begins construction.
Nov 10th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Wangard Breaks Ground on New Apartment Development in Park East Corridor
Avenir apartments expected to open September 2014
Nov 8th, 2013 by Wangard Partners, Inc.
Strip Club Coming to Downtown?
City committee rules against exotic nightclub on Old World Third, then seems to open door to a location across from Bradley Center.
Nov 7th, 2013 by Dave Reid
How a Streetcar Spurs Development
In cities like Kansas City, Cincinnati and Tucson, the creation of an urban streetcar has triggered development.
Nov 3rd, 2013 by Angie Schmitt
The Growing City
Updates on three new developments. Plus: a photographic tour of the Ward hall.
Oct 2nd, 2013 by Dave Reid
Supervisors Stall $60 Million Park East Proposal
Citing lack of "information," county committee in essence reopens the process of selecting a developer for Park East Block 22.
Jul 16th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Brady Street BID Expands Boundaries?
And Milwaukee's corporations asleep on gay marriage issue?
Mar 6th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Park East Square Loan Approved
Union opposition to Park East Square evaporates.
Sep 20th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Million-dollar baby: Wangard wants $1 million in clean-up funds – Janitors union calls day of action
RACM meets at 1:30 PM on Thursday to decide whether or not to approve a $1 million brownfield remediation loan request from building owner/developer Stewart Wangard of Wangard Partners.
Sep 19th, 2012 by SEIU Local 1
Wanna Buy Some Park East Land?
Sensing market interest, Milwaukee County is trying to sell a parcel of land -- for the third time.
Sep 11th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
They Ruined Our Lives
Union members fight city loan to Wangard Partners, delaying proposed Park East development.
Aug 17th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Janitors urge redevelopment authority to reject loan to rich, irresponsible developer
Janitors today at the meeting of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (RACM) will urge that the authority reject a request for a million dollar loan from developer Stewart Wangard.
Aug 16th, 2012 by SEIU Local 1
Wangard’s Park East Proposal Approved Despite Union Fight
Once again it was union versus union.
Jun 27th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Rumblings in the Park East
Unions battle over and delay one project, another project gets a six month extension, and another is underway in the Park East.
Jun 19th, 2012 by Dave Reid
RSC & Associates Plan to Break Ground on Park East Square in 2012
In December 2007 RSC & Associates closed on the purchase of Block 26 in the Park East for $2,725,000. Since then RSC & Associates has attempted a variety of method to develop the site, but due to economic conditions were unable to begin construction.
Mar 1st, 2012 by Dave Reid
Could 2010 be the Year of the Park East?
After today's news, nationally 2010 might go down as the year of high-speed rail, but here in Milwaukee it just might be the year of the Park East.
Jan 28th, 2010 by Dave Reid
The Park East Disaster? No
Would Milwaukee be better off with the Park East Freeway spur intact? No. Has development been slow so far? Yes. Is that a problem? Only if you have a short-term perspective on the future of Milwaukee.
Dec 15th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Just How Much TIF is Enough?
Municipalities large and small utilize Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) as a tool to encourage economic development within their borders.
Aug 3rd, 2009 by Dave Reid
Finally Activity at Park East Square
On December 21st 2007 RSC & Associates signed an agreement to purchase a parcel of land, known as Block 26, in the Park East Freeway corridor from Milwaukee County. It was believed at the time of the sale that RSC & Associates would break ground on two new hotels within a 90 days. Understandably development projects take a time and as this project nears its third year, finally there is a small sign of progress at the site. RSC & Associates have begun erecting the construction fence. Although this project has had a troubled history with its lengthy delays, numerous changes, and squabbling in the press, potentially this project will be getting in the ground and the next development in the Park East will begin to rise this summer.
Apr 23rd, 2008 by Dave Reid
RSC & Associates development moves ahead without TIF
Over the last year a debate raged over the question of “to TIF or not to TIF?” RSC & Associates not only requested city financing but demanded publicly that their Park East Square project required $9.5 million of TIF assistance to be economically feasible. $6.8 million of this city subsidy would of been to build a parking structure believed to be required to support a retail tenant mix including McDonald’s, Subway, PotBelly’s, Noodles & Company and Qdoba. The City’s position was that TIF assistance was not required as this project wasn’t likely to act as a catalyst spurring other development within the city and that the City had already spent millions preparing the Park East land. Additionally a market study conducted by SB Friedman reinforced DCD’s position that within the Park East corridor subsidizing of business would likely lead to a shuffling of business around downtown and not new growth. Clearly RSC & Associates lost the debate with the City regarding TIF assistance and has finally moved forward with a new plan. The new plan and purchase agreement with the County for the 2.1-acre site requires the project to break ground in the next 90 days and will include two hotels, a retail component, 100 apartments and five town homes. It is unfortunate RSC & Associates didn’t stick with their original plan as it didn’t require TIF assistance and would be close to completion by now but it is positive to see the Park East moving forward with another development. Articles Sale of Park East site fulfills county Christmas wishes Milwaukee County closes on sale of Park East lands Milwaukee County closes on sale of Park East parcel Park East project gets tentative start time Momentum suddenly builds in the Park East RSC & Associates to fund own economic analysis City balks at cash for Park East project The Park East Runaround GJLN: City Committee Votes to Compel Project Feasibility Study Developing the Park East Land Chicago group to win bid for Park East parcel
Dec 28th, 2007 by Dave Reid
Merry Christmas Milwaukeeans
Milwaukee County (and the City of Milwaukee) got what it wanted for Christmas with the official sale of the first plot of land in the Park East neighborhood. Did you?
Dec 25th, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
Park East Square Moving Forward
Park East Square sign Originally uploaded by repowers The first phase of the development of Park East Square appears ready to begin. On Friday, Milwaukee County announced that they had completed the sale (read: RSC & Associates LLC exercised their option to purchase) of a 2.1 acre parcel of land at the western edge of the Pick ‘N’ Save parking lot and just north of Convent Hill for $2,725,000. To be exact, that’s the plot of land bordered by Lyon St, Jefferson St, Ogden St, and Milwaukee St. Nothing I can find indicates when construction will start, but since they purchased the land I would imagine it’s imminent. The development will include a 122-room Hyatt Place, 102-room Hyatt Summerfield Suites, along with 105 apartments and retail space. Back in March there was talk of the first phase of the development (this parcel) including 126 high-end apartments, a 148-room boutique hotel and 80,000 square feet of office, retail, restaurant and entertainment space if RSC & Associates LLC could get $9.2 million in a TIF from the city. Typical of developments of this scale in the Park East neighborhood, the TIF request was not granted. President Richard Curto said he would drop the hotel if that was the case, but clearly he thought better of that idea. He instead dropped a significant amount of retail space and went with more hotel rooms, which dropped costs significantly by eliminating the need for a massive parking structure. The final value of the development will be around $65 million, and as reported in September will include 6,900 square feet of retail space. Construction was originally supposed to begin in November, but financing hasn’t been easy to come by for anyone lately, and explains the delay. The plan in September called for construction on the hotels to begin first and take 14 months, followed by construction of the apartments (which includes 5 town houses), which will take another 15 months. I would imagine this is the same today, but with a pushed back start-date. According to the September Journal Sentinel article about the current development. The development will pay $21.5 million in property taxes over 10 years, RSC estimates, and would create 230 construction jobs and 64 to 74 hotel and retail jobs. The original plan, which the city favored …called for no public cash. That smaller project would pay $10.7 million in property taxes, and create 250 construction jobs and 50 to 75 retail jobs. The plan RSC wanted that included city financing …would generate $21.6 million in property taxes over 10 years, create 310 construction jobs and provide 150 to 200 retail and hotel jobs. The property taxes would pay back the city’s loan. RSC & Associates and the city both deserve applause for creating a development that will not only avoid the creation of an expensive TIF district, but will generate nearly the same amount of property tax revenue for the city. On top of that, the smaller retail space is more consistent […]
Dec 22nd, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
Let’s Dig A Hole
It looks like I’ll have new neighbors sooner rather than later, the construction of the Park East Square will start in November. The project will be free of city-financing assistance, the absence of which is credited as a reason for the reemergence of downtown according to former mayor John Norquist.
Sep 26th, 2007 by Jeramey JanneneBuilding data on this page, including assessment information, was last updated on April 5, 2024
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