APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – A historic Appleton building is turning back the clock as it gets a second life.
The building that formerly housed Gabriel Furniture is now being transformed into a 21-unit apartment space, called Gabriel Lofts.
Developers hope the $5.4 million project brings more consistent traffic downtown.
Their plan is to incorporate the historic foundation of the old furniture store into the new apartments.
Appleton resident Emilia Victoria is on board.
“I think it looks really cool,” says Victoria. “I appreciate the way architecture used to be.”
The original architecture is still intact, even though the old bricks were covered in the 1960s.
“We’re going to try to preserve the exterior facade and interior features, such as large staircase, high ceilings,” says Jack Klister with FORE Development.
In addition to the 21 apartments, the first floor will consist of retail and office space.
“We’ll also have a building on the east side that will be completely new construction, we’ll blend the two with a mix of new and old,” he says.
One part of the building that might not make the cut is a butterfly mural on the exterior.
“I know a lot of people are fans of that,” says Klister, “I believe we’re working with the original artist to find a way to remove that and hopefully preserve it.”
Gabriel Lofts is expected to open next spring and residents already seem excited.
“It’s definitely a cute spot for some apartments,” says Victoria.
