The Brewers Hill neighborhood of downtown Milwaukee is experiencing a renaissance, spearheaded by new development that takes advantage of the area’s history. One example is Shoeworks Lofts, a 64-unit loft building in the former Weyenberger shoe factory. The Shoeworks Lofts, at the corner of Reservoir and Hubbard Streets, offer affordable downtown loft living with great views of the city and indoor parking.

Preconstruction prices for one- and two-bedroom loft homes start at $129,000. "It will be a great opportunity for young professionals to own a great unit with contemporary flair, for about the same price as renting," said Paul Marks of Tandem Developers, the company building the lofts as part of the Brewers Hill Commons development.
First-floor homes feature direct access from the street, and balconies and terraces will be offered in select units. Third-floor units feature private rooftop decks.

New to the Neighborhood
In conjunction with the Shoeworks Lofts, seventeen new construction single-family homes are being built in the Brewers Hill area. From outside, the homes harken back to turn-of-the-century Milwaukee, but inside, they are well-suited to contemporary living.

"This is one of the first urban infill projects of its kind in Milwaukee," said Tandem co-principal Paul Dincin. "They’re new construction homes in an established neighborhood." Buyers get the benefit of a historic neighborhood with all the contemporary amenities home buyers have come to expect.

A Choice of Plans
Two floor plans are available for the homes. The Premier is an 1,825-square-foot layout with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths plus a basement starting at $269,000. The Premier has a "nice, open floor plan designed for modern living," according to Dincin.

The Grand floor plan is a 2,150-square-foot, 3 bedroom and 2.5 bath home with basement starting at $299,000. The Grand is more spacious than the Premier and sits on a larger lot.

All the homes have front porches, fireplace with mantle, dining room, walk-in pantry, a combination kitchen and family room, spacious master suite and well-appointed bathrooms. Both plans offer a choice of exterior styling, in Colonial, Queen Anne or Arts and Crafts style with brick front. "Buyers can mix and match," Dincin said. "No two homes will look exactly the same." Tandem has an interior design staff that can assist with interior finishes and exterior colors.

"It’s really unusual to be able to get new construction homes within the city," Dincin said. "I don’t believe there’s anything else like it in Milwaukee."

The Brewers Hill Commons sales office is located at 1985 N. Hubbard St.