M&R Development announced it has begun construction on a 278-unit luxury apartment building located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan in St. Francis, Wisconsin, just 5 miles south of downtown Milwaukee.
The Bluffs on Lake will offer apartments ranging from studio to three-bedroom designs. M&R is co-developing the Class A project with Campbell Capital Group, LLC, the same firm it teamed with to successfully develop 42 Hundred on the Lake, a 236-unit luxury rental building just south of The Bluffs on Lake that opened in 2021.
Located on a 21-acre site at 3700 S. Lake Drive, The Bluffs on Lake will feature extensive resort-style amenities and sweeping views of both the lake and Milwaukee skyline. The development will be spread across a four- and five-story building with one level of underground parking and 8,000 square feet of first-floor retail space, some of which is earmarked for a restaurant with outdoor seating. First deliveries are targeted for late 2026 with pre-leasing expected to start that fall.
“Following the resounding success of 42 Hundred on the Lake, we are thrilled to be back in St. Francis for an encore,” said Anthony Rossi, Jr., executive vice president of M&R Development. “Our first St. Francis community ushered in a new era of luxury rental living in this area and leased up in record time. Four years later, we find renter demand has only increased for apartments that offer a desirable lakefront location, stylish residences and a full suite of amenities that allow them to live, work and play from home.”
To address the large number of residents who continue to work from home at least part-time, The Bluffs on Lake will have a robust business center with multiple seating areas, including private booths and conference rooms as well as communal meeting spaces. The development will also offer a meditation room and Zen Garden for times when residents need intentional spaces for reflection, focus and stress reduction.
“Ever since the pandemic, our residents have placed a higher emphasis on health and wellness, so we wanted to address that by building out these special spaces focused on one’s well-being,” said Rossi. “It’s the first time we’ve offered a meditation room and Zen Garden, so I’m excited to see the spaces come to life. But like at 42 Hundred on the Lake, I think it will be The Bluffs’ areas for play that will impress residents the most.”
The Bluffs’ indoor community amenities will be concentrated in a two-story clubhouse that will include an entertainment lounge with kitchen and large dining table; 24-hour coffee bar; media room with bar; game room with billiards and a shuffleboard table; and a pet spa with walk-up tub and adjustable grooming table. A self-service package room will provide 24-hour access, and a resident market will offer vending and ice machines as well as a food delivery drop-off area.
A two-level fitness center will feature state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment, plus a fitness studio/yoga room with on-demand exercise programs. For biking enthusiasts, a bike storage room and repair area will be located near the parking garage. In addition, the community will offer complimentary bikes for residents to check out.
Outdoor amenities will be spread across multiple courtyards and offer a mix of active and passive uses. The main courtyard will include an infinity-edge pool with two shallow sun shelfs overlooking Lake Michigan, a tranquility garden, grilling stations, fire tables, hammocks, multiple lounge seating, herb and vegetable planters for residents, and a bocce ball court. A second courtyard will feature a game area with a ping pong table, cornhole boards and shuffleboard court; lounge areas and fire tables; grilling stations; and an outdoor fitness area. A large outdoor park dog park will feature water and waste stations.
Apartments will feature 9-foot ceilings; luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout; full-size stackable washer/dryers and smart thermostats. Kitchens will include quartz kitchen countertops, subway tile backsplash; pendant and track lighting; and a stainless steel appliance suite. Baths will have cultured marble vanities and combination tub/showers with subway tile surround. Most apartments will have a balcony or patio, and select units will include walk-in closets.
The Bluffs on Lake will be located approximately 1 mile north of St. Francis High School and a five-minute drive to middle and elementary schools. Residents will be just a five-minute drive to Milwaukee’s popular Bay View neighborhood, which offers restaurants, coffee shops, a grocery store and shopping venues. Downtown Milwaukee is less than 10 minutes by car, putting residents within easy reach of major employers and popular Milwaukee attractions.
“This is our fourth project in five years to break ground in Wisconsin, and we particularly like this area south of Milwaukee for its accessibility to the airport as well as growing employment centers and easy access to I-94, plus, it’s just 35 minutes from the Illinois border,” said Rossi.
In addition to 42 Hundred on the Lake, M&R Development’s recent Wisconsin projects include 2929 on Mayfair in Wauwatosa, and Elevate Apartments in Madison.
The Bluffs on Lake was designed by Poole & Poole Architecture with Madison, Wis.-based Stevens Construction Corp. serving as general contractor and RMK Management Corp. overseeing leasing and property management.
