ST. FRANCIS, WIS. — Pre-leasing has begun at The Bluffs on Lake, M&R Development’s new 478-unit luxury apartment community located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan in St. Francis, Wis., approximately five miles south of downtown Milwaukee. M&R is co-developing the Class A rental project with Campbell Capital Group LLC.
Situated on a 21-acre site at 3700 S. Lake Drive, The Bluffs on Lake is a two-phase project. Upon completion, the development will comprise two buildings spanning four and five stories, along with one level of underground parking and 8,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, some of which is earmarked for a restaurant with outdoor seating.
Move-ins for the 278 apartments in the first phase of The Bluffs on Lake are expected to begin in early December. Construction on the second phase, which will offer 200 units, is expected to begin in early 2027.
Residences at The Bluffs on Lake range from convertible one-bath apartments to three-bedroom, two-bath floor plans. Units will feature 602 square feet to 1,274 square feet, with monthly rents varying from $1,674 to $3,932. RMK Management Corp. is overseeing leasing and property management for the community.
The Bluffs on Lake will offer some distinct amenities that M&R is introducing for the first time to one of its properties in Wisconsin. Residents will have access to a meditation room and Zen Garden, which offer spaces for reflection, focus and stress reduction.
Additional wellness amenities will include a two-level fitness center featuring state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment; a dedicated “recharge” room offering a red-light therapy sauna, dry cryotherapy and massage chairs; a resort-style pool with two sun shelves overlooking Lake Michigan; resident herb and vegetable gardens; a bocce ball court; and multiple outdoor lounge areas, which will include hammocks.
The development team is placing a high emphasis on The Bluff on Lake’s many areas for remote work. The business center will offer multiple seating areas, including private booths and conference rooms as well as communal meeting spaces. In addition, there will be a variety of scattered hard and soft work areas throughout the building, plus a free coffee bar.
Other building amenities at The Bluffs on Lake will include an entertainment lounge with a kitchenette and ample seating for events; a game room with billiards and shuffleboard; a craft room; and a pet spa with a walk-up tub and adjustable grooming table. A self-service package room will provide residents with 24-hour access to deliveries, while an on-site resident market will offer convenient food and beverage options, ice machines and a designated food-delivery drop-off area.
In addition to the community’s two pools, outdoor amenities will include gardens, grilling stations, fire tables, outdoor games, semi-private lounge areas and a dedicated outdoor fitness area. The community will also feature a spacious outdoor dog park, providing plenty of room for exercise, socialization and off-leash play.
The development has been designed with biking enthusiasts in mind, offering ample bicycle storage and a convenient repair station, according to M&R Development. Residents who do not have their own bicycles can use shared community bikes, making it easy to take advantage of the property’s direct access to the Oak Leaf Trail, a 125-mile multi-use trail that runs along Lake Michigan and throughout Milwaukee County.
Residences at The Bluffs are designed around open-concept kitchen and living areas, with 9-foot ceilings, luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, full-size stackable washers and dryers, smart thermostats and a private balcony or patio. Select floor plans elevate the interiors further with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, built-in mudrooms and walk-in closets, while several residences take full advantage of the community’s lakefront setting with unobstructed views of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee skyline.
Kitchens will feature either islands or peninsula-style countertops, complemented by quartz surfaces, two-tone cabinetry, subway tile backsplashes, pendant lighting and upgraded appliance packages. Baths will carry a contemporary design with quartz-topped vanities and combination tub and shower surrounds finished with subway tile.
“We are tremendously proud of The Bluffs as it’s really captured how much we understand what local renters want from their apartment, both inside and out,” says Anthony Rossi Jr., executive vice president of M&R Development. “It’s a truly exceptional living experience in the Milwaukee area.”
The Bluffs on Lake is located approximately one mile north of St. Francis High School and a five-minute drive from middle and elementary schools. Residents are also within a five-minute drive of Milwaukee’s popular Bay View neighborhood, which offers restaurants, coffee shops, a grocery store and shopping venues. Downtown Milwaukee is less than 10 minutes by car, putting residents within easy reach of major employers and popular Milwaukee attractions. Residents also are steps from the Oak Leaf Trail.
The Bluffs on Lake was designed by Poole & Poole Architecture, with Madison, Wis.-based Stevens Construction Corp. serving as general contractor.