Domain apartments could have sunk, instead soars

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Code conflicts led to some clever redesigning of The Domain apartment complex in Madison.

It all started with a plaza pool deck.

“They wanted this big, open common space with a pool and grilling stations, like a big, open party deck. And the state pool inspector said, ‘You need to treat it like a backyard pool with a 5-foot fence.’ So, we had to be a bit nimble,” said Jon Koch, senior project manager at Madison-based Stevens Construction, which oversaw the work.

The 5-foot fence never quite made it into the re-design. The code requirements were instead met in spirit through an alteration of an area near the pool. Balconies were used as coverings in many places with glass fencing to fill in the gaps.

“We were really able to maintain a very open feel,” Koch said.

The fencing requirement led to a few other tweaks, such as one to the configuration of the pool steps.

“And, then, to top it off, the owner decided to add a retractable pool cover, so we had to modify that,” Koch said.

It was all part of the adventure that eventually unfolded with what started as an ambitious two-phase project. The construction of the 12-story, 231-unit apartment tower was split up so that nearly a third of the units would be ready for leasing during Madison’s peak rental season.

“We had a project where were could turn over all 246 units in 12 months, but we found a way to turn over 90 units for the August rental window, which (is) pretty critical. By Sept. 1, no one is looking,” Koch said.

The nearly $50 million, 440,000-square-foot structure also includes high-end accommodations, including a community room on the 11th floor with a wall of four televisions, a three-sided fireplace and a patio overlooking a pool deck and Lake Monona. The building also has a full-service workout room and another workout area with fitness-on-demand videos.

“It’s the best workout facility I’ve seen in any of the apartment facilities I’ve worked on in one of the largest projects that we’ve ever completed,” Koch said.

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