A portion of the building at 1101 E. South River in Appleton is being converted into a community of micro-apartments called the South River MicroFlats. (Photo courtesy:Park Place Holdings)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An old Appleton building is being repurposed in a creative way.
Park Place Holdings, a De Pere-based commercial real estate investment firm, is converting a portion of the building at 1101 E. South River in Appleton into a community of micro-apartments called the South River MicroFlats.
Construction on this adaptive reuse project kicked off last summer and is expected to be complete in April. Pre-leasing of the units is already underway.
Originally built in 1952, the building was part of The Institute of Paper Chemistry — a graduate research institution founded through a partnership between Lawrence College (now Lawrence University) and Wisconsin’s paper industry. After the institute relocated to Atlanta in 1989, the property sat vacant for nearly a decade. It was turned into office space in the early 2000s.
South River MicroFlats will consist of 15 studio and one-bedroom apartments, with floor plans ranging from 275-438 square feet. Furnished and unfurnished units will be available for rent. Leases will range from one month to one year.
It comes as demand for flexible housing continues to rise, both nationally and here in Northeast Wisconsin.
“South River MicroFlats reflects our commitment to reinvesting in Wisconsin communities in ways that respond to real housing needs,” said Caleb Hayes, CEO and founder of Park Place Holdings, in a news release. “Short-term housing remains a critical need in Appleton, especially for traveling professionals, new employees and individuals in transition. Fully furnished apartments with flexible lease terms, even as short as one month, allow residents to settle in quickly without the cost or burden of moving furniture or committing to a long-term lease.”
The project reflects a broader national trend of converting underutilized office buildings into housing as hybrid and remote work reshape office demand. Adaptive reuse projects help address housing shortages, revitalize existing properties and strengthen surrounding neighborhoods.
Park Place Holdings is considering adding up to 90 apartments within the existing property as part of a potential expansion.
On-site amenities will include multiple outdoor courtyards with gas grills, a fitness center, ample parking, a bike rack, Wi-Fi and modern work spaces. The building features rich architecture, large windows and high exposed ceilings.
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