M&R Development has begun construction on The Bluffs on Lake, a new rental community in St. Francis, Wisconsin. The development sits on a bluff overlooking the Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee skyline and is the second rental development that M&R is building in the region, the first being 42 Hundred on the Lake.
Highlights
- Construction is underway on the 21-acre site at 3700 S. Lake Dr.
- Residents will benefit from the 278-unit development’s resort-style facilities and prime location.
- It is anticipated that pre-leasing will begin in the fall of 2026 and that the first batch of units will be delivered in late 2026.
Construction Begins for The Bluffs on Lake
M&R Development has started the construction of The Bluff on Lake at 3700 S. Lake Drive. The site, which is five miles south of Milwaukee’s downtown, will eventually house 278 upscale rental apartments.
Resort-style amenities, views of Lake Michigan, and the Milwaukee skyline can be enjoyed by residents next year as the deliveries are expected by late 2026, with pre-leasing set to begin that fall. Campbell Capital Group, LLC, is co-developing the project alongside M&R. A 236-unit complex called 42 Hundred on the Lake, which opened in 2021, was previously completed by both developers.
“Following the resounding success of 42 Hundred on the Lake, we are thrilled to be back in St. Francis for an encore,” said Anthony Rossi, Jr., executive vice president of M&R Development. “Our first St. Francis community ushered in a new era of luxury rental living in this area and leased up in record time. Four years later, we find renter demand has only increased for apartments that offer a desirable lakefront location, stylish residences, and a full suite of amenities that allow them to live, work, and play from home.”
Diverse Apartment Options and Features
The Bluffs on Lake will feature studio to three-bedroom apartments, designed by Poole & Poole Architecture. Stevens Construction Corp. is the general contractor, and RMK Management Corp. is managing leasing and property.
The development will be spread across four and five-story buildings. Planned apartment features include:
- There will be EV charging stations and 248 parking spaces in the underground garage
- 183 surface parking and 98 retail parking spaces
- Apartments with 9-foot ceilings
- Vinyl plank flooring
- Full-size stackable washers/dryers and smart thermostats
- Stainless steel appliances with quartz worktops in the kitchen
- Baths fitted with cultured marble vanities
Resort-Style Amenities and Commitment to Wellness
A centerpiece of the development is its extensive amenity package. Resort-style amenities and wellness-focused spaces will emphasize a balanced lifestyle. Here is a list of all indoor and outdoor amenities:
- 8,000 square feet of first-floor retail space
- Sturdy business facility featuring conference rooms and private booths in addition to a variety of seating areas
- Communal meeting spaces
- A meditation room and a Zen Garden
- Two-story clubhouse
- 24-hour coffee bar
- Game room with billiards and a shuffleboard table
- A pet spa including a grooming table that can be adjusted and a walk-up tub
- A two-level fitness center
- A bike storage room and repair area
Outdoor amenities will be spread across multiple courtyards, offering spaces for both relaxation and recreation. Their core yard will consist of an infinity-edge pool, a tranquility garden, grilling stations, fire tables, hammocks, several lounge seating areas, resident herb and vegetable planters, and a bocce ball court.
There will be an outdoor fitness space and a gaming area in the second courtyard. A sizable outdoor dog park will have water and trash facilities.
Strategic Location and Accessibility
The community is designed to offer convenient access to schools, shopping, and recreation. The property is only a five-minute drive from middle and elementary schools, while St. Francis High School is one mile away.
The Bluffs is just a five-minute drive from Milwaukee’s popular Bay View neighborhood and less than 10 minutes from downtown employers.
“This is our fourth project in five years to break ground in Wisconsin, and we particularly like this area south of Milwaukee for its accessibility to the airport as well as growing employment centers and easy access to I-94, plus, it’s just 35 minutes from the Illinois border,” said Rossi.
The Bluffs on Lake will set a new standard for luxury rentals in St. Francis, expanding M&R’s growing footprint in Wisconsin with wellness-focused amenities and lakefront views.
