Former east-side tavern G. Daddy’s to be redeveloped

A well-known former tavern on Milwaukee’s east side, G. Daddy’s BBC, will be redeveloped into store, restaurant and office space by its new owner.

Developer Joshua Jeffers plans to do a historic renovation of the building as well as the adjacent former Hotel Foster tavern.

The two buildings, 2012-2028 E. North Ave., total around 20,000 square feet.

An investment group led by Jeffers purchased those buildings, as well as a neighboring strip retail center, 23262342 N. Farwell Ave., for $4.2 million, according to state real estate records posted Thursday.

The 16,000-square-foot retail center, which includes Pizza Hut and other stores and restaurants, also has 38 parking spaces, Jeffers said. Those will help attract new tenants to the renovated North Ave. buildings, he said.

The strip center is largely full. But both tavern buildings have been vacant for some time.

“That North Avenue corridor has been languishing a bit over the last couple of years,” Jeffers said.

The former G. Daddy’s BBC has around 17,000 square feet on three stories. The upper floors have around 8,000 square feet for offices, Jeffers said, with the remaining space available for a restaurant or store.

That building was constructed in 1913, according to city assessment records. It has a strong location, at the intersection of E. North Ave. and N. Farwell Ave., Jeffers said.

The renovations are to begin this spring, he said.

Jeffers has redeveloped other historic Milwaukee buildings, including the conversion of the Mackie Building, 225 E. Michigan St., into apartments and renovated offices.