In 2018, Capri Communities (Waukesha, Wis.) purchased the aging St. Rita Church campus in Milwaukee’s Lower East Side neighborhood, a site that included the church as well as a vacant school and adjacent convent. Once those structures were demolished, the location provided the space needed for 118 units of independent living, memory care, and assisted living and afforded Capri Communities the opportunity to translate its senior living model from a horizontal suburban configuration to a vertical urban solution.
St. Rita Square worked with AG Architecture (Wauwatosa, Wis.), Direct Supply Aptura (Milwaukee), and Pepper Construction (Milwaukee) to introduce a $29 million upscale senior living apartment community. The architecture, interior design, and amenity offering pay tribute to the Italian heritage of the community within a modern environment. Artifacts from the original church were integrated into the exterior and interior design, while the interior palette mixes local textures with vibrant colors and Italian themes to create the warmth and familiarity of home.
A new church is a unique amenity that plays an important role in deepening the connection to the surrounding neighborhood, as well. In addition to the church, community offerings include private outdoor gathering spaces, a casual dining venue, a fitness suite, event and activities room, club room, and spa and beauty salon. The urban location also allows seniors to take advantage of neighborhood attractions, such as dining, shopping, entertainment, etc.
Project details
Facility name: St. Rita Square
Location: Milwaukee
Completion date: August 2020
Owner: Capri Communities
Total building area: 182,048 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: $28.9 million
Cost/sq. ft.: $159
Architecture firm: AG Architecture
Interior design: Direct Supply Aptura
Liturgical design: Groth Design Group (St. Rita Church)
Landscape design: Heller & Associates
General contractor: Pepper Construction
Engineering: Reyn Engineering (structural), The Sigma Group (civil)
