Developer buys Brewers Hill apartment sites

A plan to develop nearly 200 higher-end apartments in Milwaukee's Brewers Hill neighborhood is proceeding, with an investors group buying the project sites.

CDS RCBH 2016, LLC, a group led by developer Kevin Newell, has purchased sites totaling 2.4 acres from three Chicago-based groups for $1.8 million, according to new state real estate filings.

The properties are in the 1800 block of N. Palmer St.; the 1900 block of N. Hubbard St.; and the 200 block of E. Reservoir Ave., according to state records. The lots are largely vacant.

Newell said his development firm, Royal Capital Group LLC, plans to begin site preparation work this spring, with construction of the apartment buildings to begin in mid-summer.

The $32 million development, known as The Hills, is to be completed in stages, Newell said Wednesday. Most of those units should be completed by the end of 2018.

The proposal calls for a 97-unit, four-story building, with a restaurant/cafe on the street level, at the southwest corner of N. Hubbard St. and E. Reservoir Ave.

Royal Capital also plans to develop two four-story buildings, totaling 84 apartments, at the southwest corner of N. Hubbard and E. Brown streets.

Finally, the firm plans to build around nine to 12 townhouse-style apartments at the southeast corner of N. Hubbard and E. Brown streets, Newell said.

The buildings would feature a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, including granite and quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and private balconies and patios. Other amenities would include community gardens, a dog run, fitness gym, billiard room and underground heated parking.

The Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett approved the development proposal in July.