We have lived here for just over a month, and I can't imagine a better place to rent in the city of…read moreMilwaukee. After reviewing and analyzing hundreds of rentals all over the Milwaukee area, I chose River Place Lofts sight unseen from the confines of our place in Seattle, Washington. I even created comparison charts. Yet, one never knows about a choice made from the internet.
For once, I was right on! River Place Lofts aren't perfect, but what is? For our needs, RPL is close. The buildings stay true to their historical origins. We reside in the original, Beams House, a renovation that has been awarded architectural prizes. Our two bedroom, two bathroom apartment has original cream city brick walls, wooden ceiling beams, and charming accouterments from the turn of the twentieth century. Friends ask how we found such a cool place, and they ask if we hired a designer. No, that creativity came with the unit. The spaces are large, windows thick, and I just wish we weren't on the first floor. Some views at RPL are wonderful. Ours stink, but ya can't have it all.
River Place Lofts has the best location in the city, and that's not hyperbole. We are a five minute walk from the excitement of Walker's Point. Second and First Avenues restaurant/bar/gallery quarter is to the East, and just a short walk over the Sixth Avenue Bridge is Milwaukee's Zocalo plus distillaries and breweries. I have a ten minute walk to the Third Ward and the Public Market. The Menomonee River runs along the complex and I can have a kayak in the water in two minutes. Yet, the coup de gras is RPL is private and exclusive, residing on a dead end street, and enclosed within a gated enclave. We have no worries walking our dog late at night on the designated grassy areas. The next door neighbor on our dead end is the brand new Rite-Hite headquarters and showpiece, designed with lovely walkways and places to sit and relax. It's a green oasis surrounded by industrial chic. Truly, RPL has its private space within the city of Milwaukee. My photos tell a decent story.
There are some issues. I need to be honest. The A.C. could be stronger. Lighting isn't great in our unit. Construction on the fourth building is still continuing, and is annoying. We can hear our upstairs neighbors clearly through the floor joists, and the kitchen is not designed for a chef. Appliances are builder grade, but the resident demographic doesn't cook much with hundreds of restaurants ten minutes away. These are all minor compared to what's great about RPL.
Sean, the manager, takes great pride in what RPL has accomplished. He wants each tenant to appreciate what went into creating this place, and Sean wants everyone to be as happy as he is. When we need something fixed, Ricardo is here the same day we wrote our ticket! BTW, I forgot to mention there is a fully equipped gym, a cigar room, a party space, a wine vault, and a pontoon boat at your dispoasal. Are you kidding me! A pontoon boat! I'm in. Even with several buildings, RPL is always quiet, and we rarely run into anyone. The buildings are not constructed to shove as many apartments into the spaces as possible. Thus, the population of the complex is quite manageable. I know this reads as if I'm gushing, but after moving to Milwaukee from a penthouse condo in Seattle, I never thought we would find such a great place to live. We are very happy. Now, if we could just get a place at RPL with a better view.............................