Historic preservation that makes the grade
Oconomowoc School Apartments is a 55-unit complex that includes a business and fitness center, modern amenities and a variety of historical features. But it took a lot of reading, writing, arithmetic and historic preservation expertise to turn the former house of education into a home.
The ABCs of property development services
In the five years after it stopped being a school, the property had already been through one unsuccessful development. Northpointe stepped in to apply their real estate development experience to this unique repurposing, which came with many challenges and opportunities:
Safely removing lead paint and asbestos.
Securing unmarked water lines. Water lines we discovered under the building that weren’t in previous plans had to be properly handled before construction could continue.
Auditorium repurposing. We worked with architects to turn the previously unusable auditorium into two unprecedented features. We placed a floor in the upper portion of the structure to create more apartments, while the lower portion was turned into an underground parking structure.
Preserving history. Once construction was complete, we invited teachers who once worked in the building to visit and talk about classes previously taught in each room. Their insight let us assign authentic historical names, like Science 201, to each apartment.
A schoolhouse is now a school home
Once a school, the property is now a 55-unit apartment complex that hearkens back to important history. In turning challenges of this historic preservation project into opportunities, Northpointe made it possible for people to live in history they can see.
Awards
2013 The Daily Reporter Top Project
2014 Runner up J. Timothy Anderson for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation
2015 National Historic Preservation Award
2017 Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation Award
