The Residences at Zuelke - Appleton, WI

The Residences at Zuelke is the historic renovation and adaptive reuse of the 12-story Zuelke Tower situated on a high-traffic corner in downtown Appleton, WI into a mixed-use residential tower. The tower was initially built by Irving Zuelke, a local music shop owner, who opened it as a seven-story office building in 1931 and later expanded to 12 stories in 1951. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and received historic tax credits for the renovation. Greenfire renovated all 12 floors adapting the commercial building into a 66-unit market rate apartment building with commercial space on the first floor.

Due to the multiple additions, renovations and solid construction of the building, updating all MEPF systems and duct work proved to be tricky. The original steel beams are cased in concrete which further diminishes head room for ductwork. In order to install all new systems, the team constructed twelve new shafts that fun from the third floor all the way up to the roof. This allowed the team to install modern MEPF systems with proper fire protection. Interior renovation work also included modernizing and restoring the existing elevator shafts and carts and restoration of historic elements including the original pink marble tile floors and walls, corridors, and unit entryways and gold and bronze accent pieces and elevators.

Exterior work consists of masonry restoration and tuckpointing. Masonry teams worked to meticulously wash and remove decades of soot and stain on all elevations.  The team also cut new holes in the roof to install new roof curbs for HVAC ventilation and will install a new rooftop generator. Other exterior work consists of window replacement along with new window openings, an all new roof, construction of an at-grade patio, and restoration of the historic storefront.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT  |  The Residences at Zuelke