Built on nearly 11 acres of what was previously an apple orchard, the Broadacre development in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, delivers medium-density apartments and townhomes with community as the central focus. The 118-unit development’s name is a nod to the term “broadacre,” which means farming large areas of land, and buildings on the site are named after an apple variety to nod to the land’s previous use.
Project Details
Location: Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Developers: Revel Investments and Altius
Architect: AG Architecture
Builder: Altius Building Co.
Interior Designer: o & o studio
Opened: October 2023
Number of Units: 118
Unit Mix: One- to three-bedrooms
Rents: $1,645 to $3,045
Instead of maximizing a unit count, the design provides housing appealing to an intergenerational demographic and offers ample green spaces, including courtyards between buildings, a three-quarter-mile walking path, pickleball courts, a dog park, and pond views. Informed by the site’s topography, the development team also integrated a renewable timber structure playground paired with a splash pad, offering a unique alternative to pools at other communities.
The development’s architecture, with strong gable forms, sloped roof settings, and shou sugi ban-inspired facades, creates a look that differentiates the Broadacre from other projects in the region. Expansive amounts of glass provide each unit type with window sizes up to 9 feet wide and 8 feet tall and patio doors with additional transoms. The features maximize natural daylight and reduce the need for indoor lighting during the day.
Justin Koeppler, AG Architecture
The project uses solar energy to support common areas spaces such as the clubhouse to offset the day-to-day cost and energy consumption for the ownership group. The visible pitches of the roof disguise where the HVAC equipment and most of the solar panels are housed.
The development’s four buildings are two and three stories, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The townhomes include ground-level entries and corridor access, while 16 different floor plans cater to families, young professionals, and active adults.