The Residences at Zuelke

Located in the center of downtown Appleton, The Residences at Zuelke features modern apartments in one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

The Zuelke Building is a 12-story, neogothic structure that was built in 1931 by local music shop owner Irving Zuelke. It holds the distinction of being Appleton’s first high-rise and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Greenfire Management Services, which served as the general contractor on the project, spent nearly two years renovating all 12 floors, adapting the commercial building into a 66-unit market-rate apartment building with commercial and residential common spaces on the first floor.

“Being able to restore the historic building and maintain its significance in downtown Appleton is an honor,” said Simmi Urbanek, director of marketing for Greenfire Management Services.

The project was completed in April 2023 at a non-disclosed cost. Some of the interior renovation work included modernizing and restoring the existing elevator shafts and carts. Crews also discovered and refurbished the original brass walls adorned on the interior of the elevator carts.

“Restoring a historic building in any community adds value, but restoring a prominent building in a downtown location enhances everything around it,” Urbanek said. “The Zuelke Building served as a catalyst for redevelopment in downtown Appleton. At the ribbon-cutting there was a line around the block of people wanting to tour it.

“Some people grew up with the building being an office building, some have only seen it vacant. Now, all see it as a luxury mixed-use building that is welcoming, enchanting and an asset to the community.”