An affiliate of real estate development firm Irgens has acquired the former Venice Club property in Brookfield, according to state records.
The Venice Club was an iconic Brookfield restaurant, located at 1905 N. Calhoun Road, that closed about a month ago, according to Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto.
“I think it was the restaurant most identified with the City of Brookfield,” Ponto said. “I think all of us were very sad to see the Venice Club close.”
The Venice Club opened in 1947 in downtown Milwaukee. It moved to Brookfield in 1983.
The Venice Club has also been a staple at Summerfest for 35 years. The restaurant’s Summerfest stand was perhaps best known for its fried eggplant. The Venice Club served a ton of fried eggplant every day at Summerfest, according to the restaurant’s website.
The Irgens affiliate acquired the Venice Club property from Pewaukee-based AMR Real Estate LLC in a sheriff’s deed on foreclosure action. The value of the real estate transaction was $900,000, according to state records.
Ponto said he does not know what Irgens’ plans are for the property, but he said the Venice Club signs have been removed.
