The vision for Drexel Town Square, shared in 2011 by WISPARK LLC and Oak Creek community leaders, is now reality. Drexel Town Square is place to call home, a place to shop and dine, a place to conduct city business, a place to read and learn, and a place to enjoy nature. And more.
The 85-acre former Delphi site at the intersection of S. Howell and W. Drexel avenues in Oak Creek defines mixed-use development and has become a model for other cities to emulate.
After two years of site infrastructure and streetscape work, the former flat brownfield site now features multiple structures including several multi-story buildings representing a variety of retail, residential and civic establishments.
In 2015, several milestones were reached. These included:
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May 2015 opening of Panda Express, the first retail store at DTS
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July 2015 opening of Water Street Brewery
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August 2015 opening of the Meijer store and fuel center
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October 2015 ribbon cutting for the City of Oak Creek City Hall and Oak Creek Public Library.
More activity is on the horizon in 2016, according to Nate Franke, development and leasing director for Zilber Property Group.
Chick-Fil-A, located west of Water Street Brewery along Drexel Avenue, will open in March.
Groundbreaking for the US Bank, south of the Water Street Brewery, will take place in Spring.
By May, the building that will house PetSmart and Mattress Firm, two separate businesses, will be completed west of the Chick-Fil-A.
Construction of Froedtert Health’s primary and specialty care health center is expected to begin in May as well.
In summer, residents will take occupancy of the first phase of the 167-unit Emerald Row apartments being developed by Barrett Visionary Development LLC. Emerald Row, on the western side of the DTS site at 7971 S. 6th St., is an H-shaped structure with four wings. When completed, it will feature 110 one-bedroom apartments, 31 two-bedroom and 26 three-bedroom units.
Emerald Row will include a swimming pool between the building’s northwest and southwest wings, and a nearby outdoor natural seating area overlooking a public wetland park. A courtyard will link the northeast and southeast wings.
Even more will be calling DTS home this summer as occupants move into Wired Properties’ Forge & Flare apartments along Main St. The Forge & Flare apartments include one three-story and one four-story apartment building on either side of Main Street in DTS. The two buildings include 64 apartments above retail stores and restaurants along Main Street.
Retailers located along Main Street include:
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Bel Air Cantina
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Chocolate Factory
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Forward Dental
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Gigi’s Cupcakes
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Ly Ly Nails & Spa
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Martinizing Dry Cleaning
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Performance Running Outfitters
Groundbreaking for a hotel property, being developed jointly by Gustin Property Group and Salita Development, is expected to occur in summer. More details will be announced in the near future.
“We’ve accomplished a great deal to this point,” said Jerry Franke, president – WISPARK LLC. “There’s more good news to come. The future here is very bright.”
WISPARK LLC, the real estate development subsidiary of WEC Energy Group is the master developer for this site. The property is owned by One West Drexel LLC, which is a public/private partnership of the City and the developer designed to oversee the development of the property. Other entities that are part of the development team include Zilber Property Group, Ramboll Environ, GRAEF, Rinka Chung Architects, KM Development Corp. and Mid-America Real Estate Group.
Feb. 17, 2016