Surf Cat

The city’s Plan Commission reviewed a conceptual design for The Brindisi Tower, a 134-unit mixed use multi-family and commercial development slated on a vacant, 1.6-acre parcel located directly north of city hall on 52nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues.

The $80.5 million luxury apartment and condo high-rise — featuring a view of the Kenosha harbor and Lake Michigan — could kick-start a massive, eight-square block (25 acres) redevelopment to include a new city hall, performing arts center, public park and hundreds of private residences.

Milwaukee-based Asia Pacific Racing Development presented the project to “establish a new, higher standard of quality for residential and commercial developments as the Downtown Redevelopment Vision Plan unfolds.” The design was submitted by The Kubala Washatko Architects of Cedarburg.

The Brindisi Towers includes an 11-story apartment structure on the north, 10-story condo building on the south and a fourth-floor grass terrace between the two towers.

The terrace features a clubhouse with kitchen, party space, outdoor grills, seating areas with fire pits, patios and a dog walk area.

The lower levels include more than 300 enclosed parking spots and commercial space with plans for a high-end restaurant and public health club.

“The Brindisi Towers project will prove not only to be a great success but also a catalyst springboard for the entire Downtown Kenosha Redevelopment Vision Plan,” said Joseph Chrnelich, president of Asia Pacific Racing Development.

“It will be the first signal to the southeast corridor communities, businesses and greater Chicago area that Kenosha has begun to emerge as the premier community of choice moving toward the 21st century.”

Ten years ago, a smaller-scaled residential project was proposed on the site by the same architectural firm, according to Zohrab Khaligian, a city redevelopment specialist for Community Development and Inspections.

“The first concept came when the housing market was doing good, and then all the sudden the market took a dive and the developer backed off,” Khaligian said.

“Back then it was only one tower, and it was all condominium. The market is better now, and we have this emphasis on building up the downtown, so the timing is right.”

The new developer has submitted a conditional use permit plan. The project would need a zoning ordinance amendment because the building is 133 feet high, which exceeds the city’s 100-foot height restriction.

“I think that will be an interesting conversation,” Khaligian said. “Height has been an issue for a while. This is forcing us to make a decision which, in a way, is a good thing. Look at the units. This is a great development.”

According to the developer, the project targets Illinois residents migrating across the border in search of “new job opportunities coupled with improved living accommodations that offer a cleaner and safer environment, less congestion and a more tax-friendly community and state.”

It could also provide much-needed housing for professionals who have relocated to the area and Chicago-area employees who travel on the nearby Metra line, according to Chrnelich.