This content was created in partnership with 7SEVENTY7.

Imagine waking up on a Saturday morning, looking out of your bedroom window and catching a breathtaking view of the city with Lake Michigan in the distance. Now imagine stepping out of your apartment, waving hello to your neighbors, and finding the Press waffle truck just steps away. They’re serving up their warm, Belgian waffles studded with caramelized pearl sugar and topped with house-made lemon curd, blueberry compote and whipped cream. It's the start to another near-perfect day in Downtown Milwaukee.

The scenario seems like a dream. But it's not. In fact, it’s just part of the experience at 7SEVENTY7, a 35 story apartment high rise located at 777 N. Van Buren St. in the East Town Neighborhood that's managed by Bozzuto Management Company. Created to bring apartment dwellers an amenity-rich experience, much like you’d find in an upscale hotel, the well-appointed development offers all the benefits of a close-knit living community that’s enhanced by countless partnerships with neighboring businesses.

Part of a trend in housing which brings a taste of the local landscape home for its residents, 7SEVENTY7 was built on the notion of not only offering a welcoming, high end experience to residents, but also supporting the community at large. 

The first residents moved into 7SEVENTY7 in 2018, long before the pandemic was in view. And they settled in quickly, getting to know their neighbors and enjoying local treats like craft cocktails served up by the talented bartenders at Lost Whale in Bay View at large, over-the-top events hosted for residents in the building’s beautifully appointed gathering spaces.

Building virtual community

Even after COVID-19 tamped the flame on large-scale gatherings, 7SEVENTY7 team worked tirelessly to find new ways to engage residents and provide them with fun, meaningful virtual events and comforting offerings that aimed to capture the congenial community-oriented spirit of events past. Those same events have also provided income and support to a variety of local businesses whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic.

A resident appreciation day brought the distribution of Flowers for Dreams mini bouquets, custom branded doggy poo bags and a variety of prizes from Bentley’s Pet Stuff in Shorewood… a boon for residents in the puppy-loving complex, which comes complete with a pet spa and dog lounge decorated with stylish shots by photographer Jen O’Hara of Dogs of MKE.

A series of special food truck events kept residents safe and well-fed with items like espresso drinks and breakfast treats from Nimble Coffee Bar and Press, Filipino delicacies from Meat on the Street, award-winning outside-the-box tacos from Pig Tailz, and comforting stuffed tots and milkshakes from Tots on the Street.

Meanwhile, 7SEVENTY7 has catered to the myriad interests with indulgent at-home facials and a variety of creativity provoking workshops, from hands-on virtual cooking classes with local chefs to candle-making. Among the most popular virtual classes have been those hosted by Flowers for Dreams, a charity-focused floral business which also provides beautiful arrangements for the building’s shared spaces. Their Zoom-based floral arranging and terrarium-building classes have offered residents the opportunity to bond and poke friendly fun at one another’s creations while enjoying cocktails in the comfort of their respective apartments.

Even as attending movies and gathering with friends to socialize at local bars became either risky or impossible, staff made efforts to bring those activities to residents. Regularly scheduled virtual trivia nights brought residents together in friendly competition, offering them the opportunity to win fun prizes like $100 Amazon gift cards. Similarly, virtual movie nights have offered the opportunity to “Netfliix and Chill” with treats like custom 7SEVENTY7 cupcakes from Classy Girl Cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes from Buckley’s Bar & Restaurant and gourmet cinnamon sugar churro popcorn from Third Coast Provisions delivered to residents’ doorsteps.

The good life has perks

If that weren’t enough, 7SEVENTY7 has also made it easy for residents to explore the city on their own, offering discounts at area businesses including Bright Cellars wine club, Central Bark, Cubanitas, the Dubbel Dutch boutique hotel, Fit Pro MKE, Flowers for Dreams, Fyxation Bicycle Company, Good Hound Company, The Pfister Hotel and Mason Street Grill, Salon Amroze, Spire Fitness and The Sofie. 

Restaurants like Third Coast Provisions, one of the city’s premiere seafood destinations, have even worked with 7SEVENTY7 to develop a special neighborhood program for residents, offering them delicious new perks every time they visit.

For long-time Milwaukee residents, 7SEVENTY7 is the epitome of accessible gracious living, offering easy access to the Milwaukee River, the lake and a variety of Downtown destinations. And for someone new to the city, it’s a place to lay down roots, develop a strong local network, make new friends and experience a taste of some of the best the Cream City has to offer.

Curious to know more? Take a peek inside the premier East Side residential space and the surrounding neighborhood with Bobby Tanzilo.