Tenants have already started moving into Aperture, the third phase of Mandel Group's The North End complex at 1551 N. Water St., and the Fresh Thyme Market is shaping up to open on June 8.
We got a peek inside the six-story, U-shaped building designed by Jim Shields of HGA Architects. Here's a look:
Apartments
The six-story building includes 168 apartments, including studios and one- and two-bedroom units based on a variety of floor plans.
Green roof
Atop the grocery store is a green roof that has an arbor-covered grill area, a space that may be transformed into a bocce court (that's still under discussion) and seating areas for residents.
The balconies
Many of the apartments have balconies, offering views of Downtown, the river, Brewers Hill and more. And ...
The view from the balconies
Curvaceous hallways
Shields created a curving hallway that traces the gentle bend on Water Street outside.
TV room
One of the common area amenities for residents. Another is ...
The library
With desks, shelves of books and a warming fireplace – as well as a view out to the street – this common area for residents can be a place to relax or to work from home. There's also a fitness center, yoga room and pet spa.
Regeneration murals
Past Pfister artist in residence Stephanie Barenz is creating murals on the theme of regeneration on each of the floors. This one features the Milwaukee River. You can see more about these at her website.
Units
The apartments have large windows (or, ahem, apertures), making them airy and bright.
It's all about the views
Who wouldn't want to wake up and the morning and look at the river? And have access to a...
Gourmet supermarket
Fresh Thyme Market is a 30,000-square foot, full service grocery store with a butcher, deli, meals to go, a bar serving beer on tap and more. Parking for customers – and for residents – is below. The store is expected to open by June.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
