Craft Development, a new real estate development firm launched recently by former Eppstein Uhen Architects project development director Dan Katt, is working as the development manager for Lakefront Brewery’s plans to build a new brewery in the Menomonee Valley, Katt said.
“It’s a really unique opportunity with a great Milwaukee company,” Katt said. “(Lakefront Brewery president) Russ Klisch just has a tremendous vision for what this project is going to be. I’m just excited to help them make it a reality.”
It is the first project for Katt’s firm and he said it provided him the opportunity to leave his job at Eppstein Uhen and start his own business.
Lakefront Brewery is currently located at 1872 N. Commerce St. in Milwaukee. The company has an option to purchase a 9.3 acre site at 841 Canal St. in the Menomonee Valley.
If built, the new facility in the Valley would be about 70,000 to 100,000 square feet, significantly larger than the Commerce Street location, Katt said.
The Valley brewery would become the new flagship location for Lakefront Brewery, but the company plans to maintain the Commerce Street facility as well, Katt said. Tours, beer tasting and the Friday fish fry will likely be available at both breweries, he said. The new facility could also have an outdoor component to take advantage to its location along a canal.
“It’s going to be a destination,” Katt said.
Construction could begin next year and be complete in 2015. An architect and contractor still need to be hired for the project and financing must be secured, Katt said.
