VJS Construction Services is proposing a hotel, brew pub and retail at Milwaukee County Research Park in Wauwatosa.
The proposed multi-use project would include a “well known” restaurant or brew pub in the existing 102-year-old, 8,190-square foot building, commonly known as the M-10 building.
A second building will be constructed that could include a 130-room national brand hotel and up to 11,000-square-feet of retail space, including a nationally-branded coffee shop and another restaurant, said Guy Mascari, executive director of the Milwaukee County Research Park.
Pewaukee-based VJS presented its proposal to the research park board Tuesday.
VJS was one of three respondents to a request for proposal the research park issued in September for development of the two parcels located at the southeast corner of Innovation Drive and Watertown Plank Road.
The RFP had a list price of $3.3 million for the land. VJS paid $2.6 million for the parcels.
Mascari said construction will likely begin in April and could be completed in spring/summer 2017.
“It’s a challenging site and VJS has put together a good team,” Mascari said “We’re looking forward to working with them to bring this to completion.”
Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West, 10499 W Innovation Drive, which opened in 2008 and has 199 rooms, would be less than one mile away from a new hotel.
Mascari doesn’t believe the hotel VJS will build will directly compete with the Crowne Plaza.
“From the presentation, it’s not the same type of product and could be a complementary product in the market,” he said.
David Jorgensen, executive vice president of VJS, said the site was too good to pass up and expects to announce tenants for the project in the next three to four months.
“Wauwatosa is doing really well right now and with the interstate work being done in that section and the research park and medical center there, we know a hotel and a nice restaurant and brew pub will be very successful,” Jorgensen said.
