Milwaukee mayor, Hines officials break ground on 31-story downtown tower

Listen to this article

Officials from Milwaukee and Houston-based developer Hines took part in a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday to mark construction of a 31-story luxury tower in the Third Ward.

Crews broke ground at 333 N. Water St. in September to build a 370,000 square-foot tower with 333 apartment units. Included is 10,000 square feet of retail space and space for a restaurant with access to the nearby river, project architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz said.

The groundbreaking was a “great opportunity to focus on the positives,” Hines Senior Project Manager Tom D’Arcy said at the event, praising the project. He called the project a “great privilege of shaping the skyline.”

Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the project would create access to family supporting jobs and create stability for residents. Projects like the tower, the Iron District and Fiserv HQ moving to Milwaukee would continue to make the city attractive to move into and grow, he added.

Alderman Bob Bauman, who represents the 4th District, said it was an example of great progression in the Third Ward, and had added benefits like first-class architecture and design.

“(Hines) has $92 billion in assets, which makes it an industry leader,” he said. “They’ve seen fit to invest in Milwaukee.”

Chicago-based contractor W.E. O’Neil Construction will oversee building, Solomon Cordwell Buenz will produce designs and Magnusson Klemencic Associates will serve as the structural engineer, Hines Vice President of Construction Carl Gergits said. Construction will be completed in spring 2024, he added.

Hines bought the property, a former parking lot, from Dehl Properties for $6 million in October, BizTimes reported.