The former UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha campus is on track to become one of the largest new residential neighborhoods in the city. The Waukesha County Board approved an ordinance on Sept. 22 authorizing the sale of the county-owned property at 1500 N. University Drive to F Street, a Milwaukee real estate and investment firm.
What is planned
According to the county, F Street’s plan calls for roughly 70 single-family homes and about 600 market-rate apartments, built in phases. The multifamily portion would mix two-story garden-style buildings with three- and four-story apartment buildings. A master plan by Milwaukee architecture firm RINKA includes green space and trails. BizTimes reported the multifamily count as 580 units, for a total of about 650 homes.
County officials estimate the project would add more than $150 million to the local tax base. The county lists the site at 75.9 acres.
Background
UW-Milwaukee announced in 2024 that it would close the Waukesha branch campus, and classes ended in spring 2025. The county, which owns the land, studied reuse options and identified mixed residential development as the most compatible fit, according to its project FAQ. The existing campus buildings are expected to be demolished.
What happens next
The sale and the development plan still need approval from the City of Waukesha. The proposal goes to the city Plan Commission and then the Common Council. If approved, the county says demolition could begin in early 2027, with the first phases of housing starting in late 2027.
Wisconsin Developments will follow the project through city review.
Development Snapshot
- Project
- Former UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha campus redevelopment
- Location
- 1500 N. University Drive
- Municipality
- Waukesha
- County
- Waukesha County
- Developer
- F Street
- Lots / Units
- About 70 single-family homes and about 600 multifamily units (planned)
- Acreage
- About 76 acres
- Project Status
- Under Review
Original Sources
- Waukesha County moves to finalize sale of UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha campus (county press release) (Waukesha County via WisBusiness, 2026-09-23)
- UW-Waukesha campus FAQ (Waukesha County)
- County Board approves sale of UW-Milwaukee's former Waukesha campus to developer (BizTimes Milwaukee, 2026-09-23)
- Waukesha County Board approves sale of former UW-Milwaukee campus for housing redevelopment (WTMJ, 2026-09-23)
Reported by Wisconsin Developments staff from public municipal records. Plans can change as projects move through review; confirm details with the municipality. See something to correct? Let us know.
