Walker’s Point building wants to add new venue
A historic Walker’s Point building that is being converted into higher-end apartments now wants to add an events venue on its ground floor.
The National Block development, 425 W. National Ave., features 12 apartments on the upper two floors of the three-story building.
Now, developer Mike Morrison, who operates Hartland-based construction firm True Inc., is planning a venue for weddings and other events on the first floor.
That’s according to new plans filed with the Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals. The venue needs a special use permit from the board.
Neither Morrison, nor his architect, Vaishali Wagh, of Continuum Architects and Planners, could be immediately reached for more information about when the venue is expected to open or what its capacity would be.
The event space, including a tavern in the building’s basement, would be operated by Saz’s Hospitality Group, according to the board filing.
“Currently, there is no such event space in the immediate vicinity,” the filing said, “so this space will be a destination venue for the general public and provide a service that is lacking in the neighborhood.”
The building had faced a city condemnation order before Morrison acquired the property in 2016 and began renovating it in 2018.
The $4.5 million redevelopment is using state and federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits as part of its financing package.
Morrison has also filed an application for a conditional building permit with the city Department of Neighborhood Services.
He’s seeking to begin renovations before the zoning board reviews the special use permit application.
“Due to time constraints connected to Historic Tax Credit Certification, the project needs to begin construction prior to receiving final special use permit from (the zoning board),” the building permit application says.
The board’s next meeting is July 30. The building was constructed in 1882, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.
It was last used as a rooming house on its upper floors, with offices on its street level, before Morrison redeveloped the property.