New Land Enterprises LLP recently unveiled its plans to build a 27-story, 35-unit condominium tower behind the Goll Mansion on Milwaukee’s east side.
Milwaukee-based New Land Enterprises LLP recently unveiled its plans to build a 27-story, 35-unit condominium tower behind the Goll Mansion at 1550 N. Prospect Ave., on Milwaukee’s east side. The $60 million project would include a $1 million restoration of the 110-year-old mansion, which would be connected to the new condo tower. "(The mansion) becomes the front door for the tower," said Tim Gokhman, director of sales and marketing for New Land. In addition, the second floor of the mansion has a "huge gathering room" and the third floor has a ballroom that will be available for use by the condo tower’s residents. Also, guest suites will be created in the mansion, that can be used for guests of the condo tower’s residents.
Gokhman said the condo development is necessary to make the restoration project for the mansion feasible. He also said that New Land has been meeting with national, state and local historic preservation officials to make sure that the design of the condo tower is appropriate and will compliment the historic mansion building. The combination of a modern high-rise with a historic mansion has been done before Gokhman said, pointing to the 55-story New York Palace Hotel, which was built attached to the Villard Mansion in Manhattan.
Scott Kindness is the principal architect for the project and H. Russell Zimmerman will be the architect for the restoration of the Goll Mansion. Some residents in the neighborhood have expressed objection to the project saying it would desecrate the historical integrity of the mansion, and would obstruct some lakefront views for current area residents.
The narrow condo tower, which will have 1-2 units per floor, will have the lowest density of any condo tower in Milwaukee, Gokhman said. Since the proposed condo tower building has a small footprint and low density, the zoning for the site would not limit its height, said Department of City Development spokeswoman Andrea Rowe Richards. The project will also have a 75-foot indoor swimming pool and a fitness center.
The building will appeal to residents at the high end of the housing market. Despite problems with much of the housing market, the demand for high-end downtown condos remains strong, Gokhman said. "There is absolutely demand for this type of product," he said. "I think we have, if not the best, then one of the best sites in the city. The views are going to be amazing." New Land hopes to begin construction by next spring or summer, Gokhman said. The firm needs to obtain 15 to 18 reservations to begin the project, he said.
