Developer Gertjan van den Broek recently announced plans to redevelop a downtown Port Washington property between Franklin Avenue and the harbor.
The project, called Harbour Lights, includes the redevelopment of the former M&I Bank building on Franklin Street and the Harry’s Restaurant building.
Harbour Lights will have 10,000 square feet of retail space on the ground level facing Lake Michigan on the east and Franklin Avenue on the west. The upper floors will have 13 condominiums, which will take advantage of views of the city’s historic downtown and views of the harbor and lake.
“Historically the city turned its back on the harbor,” said van den Broek. “Commercial fishing vessels and coal barges ruled the harbor. Beginning with the crash of the yellow perch fishery during the 1980s, the character of the harbor has changed to sport fishing, sailing, pleasure boating, and recreation. With the conversion of the WE Energies Plant to natural gas and peak load operation, the coal is gone and that land is now a park. It’s time to embrace the harbor in the architecture and city planning.”
The Harbour Lights project is designed by Engberg Anderson Inc. Pam Bastien of First Weber serving as the exclusive residential broker for the property.
“Given the lakeside location and easy access to dining, shopping and year-round outdoor activities, Harbour Lights is a distinctive residential opportunity in Port Washington,” said Bastien. “Initial interest has been tremendous.”
