It’s a sweet ending for a former ice cream factory that has sat vacant for almost two decades in Milwaukee.
Evergreen Real Estate Group and Legacy Midwest Renewal Corp. (LMRC) transformed the former Blommer Ice Cream Factory, a three-story concrete and terra cotta structure built in 1928, into a 64-unit, mixed-income development.
Legacy Lofts is comprised of the historic building, which has been converted into 38 one- to four-bedroom apartments, and a three-story addition, which includes the remaining 26 one- to three-bedroom apartments.
Designed by Continuum Architects + Planners, the restored factory features high ceilings, polished cement floors, and a former loading dock converted into an outdoor patio. All units include Energy Star appliances and a contemporary design.
“The opening of Legacy Lofts is the culmination of a team effort that returned a historic, yet long-vacant, property to Milwaukee’s Lindsay Heights neighborhood while simultaneously creating jobs and much-needed housing that will serve families across the income spectrum,” said David Block, director of development for Evergreen Real Estate Group. “The real ‘legacy’ of this development is how it will continue to contribute to the ongoing revitalization taking place along North Avenue.”
Fifty-four units are affordable to households earning 60% or less of the area median income, and the remaining 10 are market-rate units.
In addition to the housing, the development incudes over 1,500 square feet of street-level commercial space, which houses the new offices of LMRC, the real estate investment affiliate of Legacy Redevelopment Corp.
“The factory that was built in 1928 has come back to life,” added Sally Peltz, founder and president of LMRC. “My business theory is if you work really hard and are determined to make it happen, it will happen. Legacy Lofts evolved from that ethos—a spirit and belief that dreams do come true.”
Evergreen and LMRC partnered to secure funding for the $13.9 million development, utilizing federal low-income housing tax credits, federal and state historic tax credits, tax-increment financing, HOME funds, and private mortgage debt. Finance partners include the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the city of Milwaukee, U.S. Bank, Associated Bank, IFF, and the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Additional partners include Greenfire Management Services, MacRostie Historic Advisors, HN Development, Walnut Way Development Corp., Haywood Group, and alderman Russell W. Stamper II. Evergreen will serve as the property manager.
