Food hall could be coming to downtown
Another food hall could be coming to a long-vacant downtown Milwaukee building.
The conceptual proposal is being considered for one of two locations: 733 N. Milwaukee St. or 107 E. Wells St., according to city records.
It would join a growing list of area food halls.
That includes 3rd Street Market Hall coming this summer to The Avenue — the redeveloped former Grand Avenue mall.
The identical plans for the Milwaukee Street and Wells Street buildings call for 14 to 18 individual restaurant operators serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The city Department of Neighborhood Services considers the proposals as “presubmittal reviews” for conversations about possible uses at the buildings.
“Nothing has been formally submitted or processed,” Steph O’Connor, department certification and communications coordinator, said Thursday.
“When the facility is live and operating, we anticipate a 20/40/40 occupancy split throughout the day,” according to the proposal being reviewed by the department.
“This means that during the morning shift approximately 20% of the kitchens will be in use.
“During the lunch shift approximately 40% of the kitchens will be in use. And during the dinner shift approximately 40% of the kitchens will be in use. This breakdown can vary based on operators,” according to the proposal
The proposal’s applicant is Chicagoarea real estate executive Kyle McKechnie, who declined to provide additional information.
“This is pretty preliminary,” said McKechnie, whose LinkedIn profile lists him as director of leasing and acquisitions at Newcastle Properties LLC. That firm is based in Park Ridge, Illinois.
The food hall’s dining capacity would range from 15 to 25 people.
“Given the location of the restaurant and proximity to public transit we anticipate 50% of consumers will arrive by foot or public transit.
“It is anticipated that the balance of the visitors will utilize the abundance of street parking and public parking garages,” the proposal said.
Milwaukee is set to see two new food hall openings this year.
North Avenue Market is planned for a former bank branch at 5900 W. North Ave., and will have around about 12 food and beverage vendors.
Also, 3rd Street Market Hall, at 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., will feature a central bar and around 15 to 20 food vendors.