Redevelopment planned for former brewery site in downtown West Bend

Milwaukee-based real estate developer HKS Holdings LLC plans to redevelop a 3-acre site in downtown West Bend for a mixed-use project with 181 apartment units and space for retail or a restaurant. Located northeast of North Main and West Washington Streets, the riverfront property was formerly the site of the West Bend Brewing Co., which operated from the late 1800s to the 1970s, according to a historical report. HSK intends to purchase the property from current owner Chris Schmidt. The development project would break ground in spring 2021. Many of the apartment units will have views of the Milwaukee River and downtown, as well as walk-out patios with access to the adjacent riverwalk, according to a press release.

"We want to bring luxury, riverfront living to beautiful downtown West Bend,” said HKS Holdings principal Tyler Hawley in a statement. "Our design is intended to optimize views and access to the Riverwalk and downtown amenities. We look forward to becoming a part of the downtown neighborhood."

HKS has led a number of development projects in the Milwaukee area, including the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, Renaissance Milwaukee West in Wauwatosa, Atelier apartments in the Third Ward and the Global Water Center building in Milwaukee's Walker's Point neighborhood. Milwaukee-based Engberg Anderson Architects produced site plans for the West Bend project, showing several residential buildings surrounded by landscaping and outdoor gathering space, including an outdoor patio for a restaurant.

Site plans will be reviewed at the upcoming Plan Commission meeting on October 6.

"This project will be transformative for the downtown," said city administrator Jay Shambeau. "Our city team has enjoyed working collaboratively with HKS and we look forward to seeing this project come to fruition."

Development in downtown West Bend has been on the rise recently, with the $3.5 million renovation of the historic West Bend Theatre, riverwalk reconstruction, and redevelopment of the former Gehl Co. manufacturing site into the new Water Street Suites hotel and a senior residential community.