A new 485-unit apartment and retail development near Lake Michigan in St. Francis is one step closer to becoming a reality
A proposed 485-unit luxury apartment and commercial/retail development near Lake Michigan received a positive recommendation in St. Francis on its way to the Common Council.
The city’s Plan Commission on Jan. 26 voted unanimously to recommend the Common Council approve a planned unit development proposal for 3700 S. Lake Drive “contingent upon staff comments being addressed, finalization of all plans and specifications, a developer’s agreement being entered into, and the Common Council granting the underlying PUD zoning,” the motion read.
A planned unit development is essentially a grouping of various land uses that are compatible including commercial, housing, recreation and environmental sustainability within one self-contained development.
Atlanta, Georgia-based Campbell Capital Group, LLC wants to construct the 485 luxury apartments in four- and five-story buildings, with one level of “podium parking,” in two phases on 21.3 acres near Lake Michigan.
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The first phase includes 285 luxury apartments and 8,000 square feet of commercial/retail space, according to city documents. The second phase includes 200 apartments in a similar building with the same style of parking. This phase will include 4,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.
According to the plans, the apartments are listed as 80% one-bedroom, 17% two-bedroom and 3% three-bedroom units with an average of 725 net square footage. Units will have stainless steel appliances, glass tile backsplashes, quartz or granite countertops, tile showers and a washer and dryer.
“We will offer upgraded interior unit features, controlled access entry gates, a two-story clubhouse/leasing center, resort-style pool, state-of-the-art fitness room and private courtyards,” said Michael Campbell, managing member of Campbell Capital Group.
Some other amenities in the plans include a business center, bicycle storage, fire pits, an outdoor fitness area, bocce ball and grilling areas and each phase includes a “Sky Lounge” overlooking Lake Michigan.
A 4.62-acre space on the south end of the property will be used as a private park and parking area as it is designated as a no-build area, according to the PUD plans.
The project is a rental community but will "be built with a level of design and finish of a condominium,” Campbell said.
Residents could access the site from two existing entry points off South Lake Drive.
The developer hopes to begin construction this year.
Less than a mile away is 42 Hundred on the Lake, another luxury apartment complex also from Campbell Capital Group in partnership with M&R Development that opened in July 2021. That 236-unit development includes one- and two-bedroom units along with a clubhouse, courtyards, pool and more. The St. Francis Common Council approved $9.6 million in financing for the project.
Additionally, Mariner Apartments, a 214-unit apartment development on 11 acres at 4000 S. Lake Drive, opened in 2019. St. Francis provided $7.1 million to help finance the development.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at (262) 875-9467 or erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: St. Francis apartment, retail project gets plan commission approval
