The tight housing market in Milwaukee's Northpoint neighborhood has been eased a bit with the redevelopment of a church hall property into a 55-unit apartment complex that aims to fit in with the decades-old character of the area.
When Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church's parish hall, built in 1941, no longer met the needs of the congregation, developer Three Leaf Partners bought it for $1.5 million, which helped pay for the current construction of a new parish hall.
"This symbiotic relationship ensured the church could continue its mission while the neighborhood gained much-needed housing — a true feel-good story of partnership and progress," according to a statement from Three Leaf Partners.
As a result, a panel of industry professionals selected the project for the CoStar Impact Award for the redevelopment of the year in the Milwaukee/Madison market.
The creation of the residences, named The Fitz, at 2630 N. Hackett Ave. may spark further economic development, providing a positive effect for nearby businesses, according to the judges.
The developers said completing a major project in a historic neighborhood presented unique challenges. The building had to meet strict standards for preservation, including the careful selection of brick, stone and other materials to enhance the existing historic structures.
The developers said they collaborated with the historic preservation committee as well as stakeholders throughout the neighborhood to address varying concerns and diverse community goals.
Another challenge: While using materials that fit historically, the developers had to keep construction costs low. Their solution: They worked closely with contractors and suppliers to refine the project’s scope.
About the building: Sustainability was an important part of the project, the developers said, so they included energy-efficient materials and systems including high-performance windows, advanced insulation, low-energy lighting and high-efficiency mechanical/HVAC systems.
What the judges said: "Dealing with anything historic can be delicate and challenging. Three Leaf Partners seemed to handle this project with additional attention and thoughtfulness to ensure a seamless transition, while addressing a critical housing need," said Isaac Berg. a real estate adviser at Colliers. And Patti Stevens, office broker specialist at Founders 3, praised those involved for "the ability to work together to preserve the church's continued presence in the community and bring the needed additional housing to the area."
They made it happen: Michael DeMichele, owner, DeMichele Cos.; Joe Stanton, vice president of investments, and John Ford, chief development officer, Three Leaf Partners; Sam D'Amato, project manager, and Conor Rice, senior project manager, Catalyst Construction; Joe Lee, owner, and Joe Haider, senior project specialist, JLA Architects; James Shields, design principal, and Andrew Lasca, principal, HGA; and Mark Retzlaff, vice president, Park Bank.
Updated April 3 to correct spelling of Patti Stevens.