Downtown Development

Living Here

Milwaukee is experiencing an unprecedented transformation.

Milwaukee's business community and political leaders have made a commitment to growth, sustainability and investment for the future. Between 2018 and 2021, out-of-state investment in Wisconsin’s commercial real estate market increased seven-fold – from $175 million to $1.3 billion.

$1.3B

Out-of-State investment in commercial real estate in 2021

3.75M

Square feet of new or renovated office space in 2022

9k+

New housing units in 2022

2.5k

New hotel rooms in 2022

The Deer District

The Deer District became a national landmark when the Milwaukee Bucks won the National Basketball Association championship in 2021. Television broadcasts showcased the tens of thousands of fans surrounding Fiserv Forum, promoting an area that has transformed from an abandoned highway spur into an exciting destination featuring restaurants, apartments, and cultural attractions. Development continues with plans for a new 10-story commercial building and a 205-room hotel.

Transformed shopping mall evolves into vibrant mixed-use hub.

In the heart of Milwaukee’s downtown, a former shopping mall has become a residential, office and retail center named The Avenue. It’s home to several prominent employers including the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), Graef Engineering, Good Karma Brands broadcasting, Herzing University and the American Heart Association. In addition to being a corporate office center, The Avenue features the 3rd Street Market Hall with 24 food vendors plus venues for recreation, entertainment, and the arts. Nearby, you can also find:

Fiserv Headquarters

The HUB640 building will soon be home to Fiserv, the world’s leading payments and financial services technology company, with nearly 800 corporate employees.

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Bradley Symphony Center

The Milwaukee Symphony renovated an ornate, 1930s movie theater to create its new home.

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Milwaukee Tool Office

The company has redeveloped a vacant building downtown that will house 1,200 employees. Milwaukee Tool has also developed a $100 million, 216-acre manufacturing and research campus in suburban West Bend.

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The Iron District

Near Marquette University on the west end of downtown, an estimated $160 million is slated to be invested in the Iron District, which will include affordable apartments, a 140-room hotel, a performance venue for up to 3,500 people and an 8,000-seat soccer stadium that will host professional soccer and will be the home field for Marquette’s soccer and lacrosse teams. Nearby on campus, Marquette is also set to open a $60 million, 100,000-square-foot College of Business Administration facility in 2023 and is planning a new student wellness and recreation center, among other projects.

The Harbor District

South of downtown, Komatsu Mining Corp. is moving into its new $285 million headquarters and manufacturing plant in Milwaukee’s Harbor District. The new campus includes 170,000 square feet of office space, a 20,000-square-foot museum and training building and 410,000 square feet of manufacturing space. River1, a $100 million development, includes office buildings, apartments, retail space and a hotel. It is also the home of the new corporate headquarters for Michels Corporation, one of the nation’s premier energy and infrastructure construction companies.

Bronzeville offers a blend of history, culture + community spirit.

Milwaukee's Bronzeville neighborhood, located on the city's north side, is a vibrant African American economic and social center that celebrates its deep-rooted jazz and artistic heritage. Annual festivals pay tribute to the neighborhood's roots, attracting visitors from near and far, and it offers a diverse array of dining and shopping options.

The community's commitment to preserving its cultural legacy can be seen in the restored historical buildings and other efforts to revitalize the area. Current investments include:

The Bronzeville Center for the Arts, which will be housed in a renovated, 50,000-square-foot building.
The Bronzeville Creative Arts and Technology Hub, a $20 million mixed-use development that will feature affordable apartments and production space for filmmakers, musicians and other creatives.
A new home to the Dohmen Company Foundation and two of its affiliates – Food for Health, a nonprofit that seeks to prevent and reverse diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other chronic conditions; and Food Benefit Co., a for profit company that provides healthy food and wellness services to employees.

Public + Private Investments

In addition to the investments occurring in specific areas, several significant developments are occurring throughout the city. For example, work has been completed on the 25-story, 259-unit Ascent apartment tower, the world’s tallest timber-structured building, which has catapulted Milwaukee to the forefront of this new building technology.

The BAIRD Center

A $456 million expansion of the BAIRD Center convention facility, which will significantly expand its size to 1.3 million square feet, allowing it to host two major events simultaneously and attract more than 100,000 out-of-state visitors annually.

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Milwaukee Regional Medical Center

The $400 million renovation and expansion of Children’s Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin’s research facility at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.

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UWM Chemistry Building

A new $118 million chemistry building on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee that will serve as a gateway to the university’s STEM offerings.

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Regional Activity

Waukesha-based energy firm Generac is investing $53 million in its Wisconsin facilities, creating more than 700 jobs. MORE >

HARIBO, a German-based confectionary firm known for its gummi bears, has begun production at its first manufacturing facility in the United States. The $242 million development is expected to ultimately create more than 400 full-time jobs.

Grand Craft Boats is moving its headquarters and production operations from Holland, Mich., to Genoa City in Walworth County. MORE >

Sweden-based ABB, Inc. is building a new manufacturing facility, research and development labs, a training center and offices for the company’s U.S. motions business in suburban New Berlin.

Amazon continues to expand in Kenosha County with its fourth building in the area. When completed, Amazon’s presence will include 3.3 million square feet and 3,400 employees.

Snap-on, Inc. has begun a 26,000- square-foot expansion of its tool plant on Milwaukee’s far northwest side to accommodate growth in the company’s hand-tool business.

The $120 million, 25-acre Poplar Creek Town Center in Goerke’s Corners will include hotel, retail, office, residential and recreational areas when completed