Westlawn Gardens

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 1950's Suburb

Westlawn is a neighborhood on Milwaukee’s northwest side that was originally developed in the 1950s and has steadily provided affordable housing. Referred to as “barracks housing,” these homes were inefficient, undersized for many families in need, and encouraged the feelings of isolation that keep communities worldwide in states of poverty and segregation. The homes also suffered from outdated water and waste systems that led to skyrocketing utility costs and basement flooding.

Together with the local government, Torti Gallas spearheaded initiatives to turn the area around. With the help of the largest low-income tax credit award in Wisconsin history, the firm has already completed 250 new homes of varied styles and types in the neighborhood. They’ve also installed sidewalks and alley parking to improve walkability in an area that was practically void of any and all pedestrian conveniences. “A nip here, a tuck there, and an unrelentingly repetitive suburban megablock scheme” has become, according to juror Jeff Speck, “something of greater economy and character.”

All developments for the Milwaukee Revitalization Project meet LEED for Homes Platinum Certification requirements, as well as a LEED for Neighborhood Developments Silver rating. The new plan employs innovative storm water strategies and a 30,000 square foot community garden.

And perhaps most notably, the project reflects the local community’s wishes. An inclusive stakeholder workshop and subsequent public meetings helped refine the vision into a consensus based plan that residents were proud of.

Juror Cristóbal Valdez wrote that the project “…exemplifies the very essence of the Charter Principles…transforming a dilapidated neighborhood into a healthy and sustainable community.” Future phases of the project will more than double the available housing and will add market rate ownership and rental units.

Transect Zone(s): T3 sub-urban.
Status: Groundbreaking
Project or Plan's Scale: Region
Features: Affordable/subsidized housing, Sustainable infrastructure.
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Project team designers: Torti Gallas
Project team developers: Torti Gallas

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