Church, factory to become offices
Renovated site will double firm’s space
A Walker’s Point church, later used as a chocolate factory, is being converted into offices for a downtown Milwaukee marketing firm.
Northern Ground LLC bought the property, 202 W. Scott St., for $1.2 million, according to the the company.
The renovated space will total 9,500 square feet on three levels, along with a rooftop deck. Northern Ground plans to move there in October from The Blatz office building, 260 E. Highland Ave.
Northern Ground, which has 12 employees, “wanted to own a building to better service our customers and control the experience,” said Ryan Janecek, co-founder and strategy lead.
“Having double the space also allows us more options for staff to spread out, but that is a new revelation,” he said.
Finally, owning its offices will allow Northern Ground “to add value back to the business rather than continuing to pay someone else rent,” Janecek said.
The renovations will improve accessibility, add bathrooms and mechanical equipment, and convert the garage into reception and meeting areas.
Exterior improvements will include new windows, glass garage doors, landscaping and lighting.
“Its combination of old Milwaukee bones and modernism aligns with our work style,” said Janecek.
“I used to live in Walker’s Point and am excited to return to its thriving food and art scene,” said Jay Beckman, Northern Ground co-founder and creative director.
The Gothic Revival style building was constructed in 1882 as a Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.
After the congregation moved out in the 1920s, the building was used as a chocolate factory, storage space and most recently a live/work setup for the seller, Eric Barthenheier, who operates Barthenheier Construction Inc.
Barthenheier, which has done renovations to the building, will be doing additional improvements for Northern Ground. Dan Katt, of Craft MKE, is consulting on the project, and John Van Rooy is the project architect.