The Brewery Development

Landscape Architecture, Site Design | Wisconsin | Back

Challenge

The overarching goal of The Brewery was to stimulate business and tourism in the northern half of downtown Milwaukee through the development of one of the most progressive and environmentally conscious mixed-use real estate developments the city has ever seen. There were several failed attempts to develop this blighted area, formerly a Pabst brewery, since the late 1970s. City leadership was eager to see the area transformed into an attractive, flourishing urban setting including space for residences, entertainment venues, and commercial and retail businesses.

Solution

Kapur assisted the Zilber Group in redeveloping The Brewery by providing design solutions and techniques enabling the development to qualify for LEED Silver or Gold certification. More notably, our staff developed several pocket parks, bioswales, and specialty rock mixes within the development to ensure water quality standards exceeded state regulations for runoff.

Services Provided

  • Survey
  • Easements
  • CMSs
  • Site design
  • Street design
  • Roundabout design
  • Parking
  • Landscape architecture
  • Sustainable design
  • Stormwater management
  • Permitting
  • Utility coordination
  • Utility relocation
  • Agency coordination (WisDOT, MMSD, & WDNR)

Industries Covered

  • Site Design
  • Landscape Architecture

Results

The development was a huge success, and the entire neighborhood achieved LEED Platinum certification. It has become the largest Public-Private Partnership in the City of Milwaukee and more than $300 million has been invested into the area. The development has numerous restaurants, bars, banquet halls, small businesses, high-end apartments, hotels, and an eight-story parking structure. The subsequent establishment of the Deer District, anchored by the Milwaukee Bucks’ new arena known as the Fiserv Forum, has further stimulated The Brewery by making it a popular pre- and post-event destination for those visiting the arena.