Madison-based developer The Alexander Co. today celebrated the grand opening of the redevelopment of six buildings on the Milwaukee Soldiers Home campus.
The ceremony marked the completion of a decade-long preservation and rehabilitation project.
“This incredible preservation success demonstrates the benefits of historic restoration and what can be achieved through a successful public-private partnership,” Joseph Alexander, president of The Alexander Co., said.
Six buildings on the campus have been restored as part of a $44 million redevelopment project. They include the iconic Old Main building, the Headquarters Building, the Catholic Chaplain’s Quarters and three private homes.
The buildings now offer 101 supportive housing units for veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They opened in March. Supportive services are located on-site.
The units are already about 90% leased, and several families have already moved in, according to The Alexander Co.
Established in 1867 after the Civil War, the Milwaukee Soldiers Home is one of three original Soldiers Home campuses in the country.
Restoration work began in 2011, when the campus was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation list of 11 most endangered historic places. The Milwaukee Preservation Alliance then teamed with NTHP to form the Milwaukee Soldiers Home Community Advisory Council. The Alexander Co., along with veterans groups and preservation organizations, joined the council to explore the redevelopment of the Soldiers Home.
This article was originally published by BizTimes.
