JJH3group and Galbraith Carnahan Architects acquire properties for ‘Union Green’ mixed-use development

JJH3group and Galbraith Carnahan Architects today completed the purchase of five properties from the City of West Allis to redevelop the 6400 block of West Greenfield Avenue. The two-building, 19-unit ‘Union Green’ mixed-use development will include a mix of rental townhomes, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, an indoor/outdoor cafe and a redesigned public park.

The development continues the momentum of several recent projects in the rapidly growing Six Points Neighborhood – Mandel’s The West Living, SoNa Lofts and Makers Row, OPE! Brewing and several new restaurants and event venues – as well as The Revv and The Apiary further afield.

In contrast to those larger developments, however, Union Green is the quintessential ‘Missing Middle’ project described by author Dan Parolek and espoused by urban planners. “Large complexes are important but can often be cold and inward-looking. A healthy neighborhood offers alternatives like ours: Small, human-scaled options that actively engage the community and provide a transition between larger buildings and single-family homes,” says Jeffrey Hook, JJH3 principal.

“Smaller developments like Union Green also offer additional unique benefits to tenants: Three-level rental townhomes with individual front entries and private garages, an intimate apartment building in which every unit is a corner unit, and a multifamily community where your home feels a bit more like home and your neighbors feel a bit more like actual neighbors.”

But there’s a reason the ‘Missing Middle’ is too often missing: The economics of these projects typically demand favorable circumstances and creative public-private partnerships to execute. In this case, the City’s ownership of the properties offered a unique opportunity to transfer the land and provide the financial support required to help make Union Green viable. And that partnership doesn’t end at occupancy, but rather continues indefinitely via shared responsibility for a public amenity.

The project includes the relocation and rededication of a public park within the block to better engage existing and future housing to the north and the Farmer’s Market to the south. The developers and the City are eager for the new park and cafe patio to become a vibrant community gathering place. “As we’ve discussed our restaurant space with local operators, the fit is as important to us as the economics. How many retail spaces offer this combination of location, visibility and connection with a public green? We want to find the right partner to activate the park and create a great neighborhood gathering hub.”

Demolition of the existing buildings will begin in the next two weeks, with new construction beginning in mid-February. The townhouses are slated for initial occupancy in January 2026, with the apartments and retail space following in February 2026.

Renderings

About JJH3group: JJH3group is a real estate development and design-build consulting firm offering high-quality development, design and construction services across a broad spectrum of project types. We specialize in ‘the hard stuff’: leading multidisciplinary teams and partnering with private and public stakeholders to create unique, well-designed, highly functional and creatively efficient facilities.

About Galbraith Carnahan: Galbraith Carnahan Architects is a team of creative minds who guide clients to the most authentic manifestation of their vision. We design buildings and spaces that have a deep connection to human nature and the environment in which they are built. Function and feeling are seamlessly integrated. We immerse ourselves in your story, goals, and desires to make your vision a reality.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.