Former historic school to become apartments
Plans to convert a historic former school on Milwaukee’s north side into affordable apartments are proceeding.
Royal Capital Group Ltd. announced Tuesday it has completed the $465,000 purchase of the former Phillis Wheatley Elementary School, 2442 N. 20th St.
Royal Capital plans to begin construction this month on creating 82 apartments at the site, with completion in spring 2022.
The $22 million project features the conversion of the former school into 42 units, with 40 more apartments in a new four-story building on the same site.
The apartments will range from one- to three-bedroom units. Most will be provided at below-market rents for people earning no more than 60% of the local median income.
It is being financed in part with federal affordable housing tax credits.
The development’s amenities will include a fitness center, community room, media room, demonstration kitchen and cafe.
The school, which closed in 2005, was named for Phillis Wheatley (17531784).
Despite being enslaved, Wheatley was one of the best-known poets in pre-19th century America, according to the Poetry Foundation.
“This development is vested with great storytelling. Not only providing much-needed, quality housing, services and programming that will contribute to the ongoing rejuvenation of the 53206 ZIP code, but it also pays tribute to an incredibly inspiring Black woman,” said Kevin Newell, Royal Capital Group founder and chief executive officer.
“In addition, it’s been a very nostalgic moment in walking these halls again, as Phillis Wheatley Elementary happens to be my neighborhood school that I first attended in K4,” Newell said.
The school was built in 1902 in the Italianate architectural style, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.