Royal Capital to develop 90 higher-end apartments tied to Milwaukee Bucks arena parking structure

An emerging development firm will build 90 higher-end apartments attached to the new Milwaukee Bucks arena's parking structure.

Milwaukee-based Royal Capital Group LLC was selected by the basketball club as its partner on the development.

The apartments will be on the six-story building's five upper levels, and will be located along the eastern side of N. 6th St. between W. Juneau and W. McKinley avenues.

The Bucks started developing the parking structure and arena last summer.

Royal Capital expects to begin construction of its $17.5 million apartment development this fall after most of the work is completed on the parking structure.

The apartments will open in fall 2018, around the same time that the arena is completed, Royal Capital owner Kevin Newell said Friday.

"Just in time for game day," Newell said.

The building will include micro units, as well as one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Some will be designed as two-story lofts. The rents haven't yet been determined, Newell said.

The project will feature a neighborhood cafe, flexible event space and a sports lounge, open to both residents and the public, on the first floor facing N. 6th St.

Other features for residents will include a rooftop terrace and club room, fitness center and multiple indoor and outdoor lounges.

Royal Capital, selected from among several competing local and national firms, is developing The Hills, a high-end apartment project with nearly 200 units in the Brewers Hill neighborhood.

RELATED: The scoreboard in the new Milwaukee Bucks arena will blow fans' minds, team officials promise

Also, the firm is co-developing a four-story building, with 65 affordable apartments on the upper floors and a new library branch on the first floor, at 7717 W. Good Hope Road.

Newell founded the firm in 2010.

“This project has always been about more than just basketball," Bucks President Peter Feigin said in a statement.

"Our ownership is committed to contributing to the revitalization of the city and spurring additional private investment in the future of Milwaukee," Feigin said. "Kevin embodies that entrepreneurial spirit and shares our commitment to building a stronger and more vibrant downtown community.”

Royal Capital "is exceptionally excited to be a part of this generational development — not just as a transaction, but as a transformational opportunity for our hometown community,” Newell said in a statement.

Tom Daykin can be reached attdaykin@jrn.com