By Addison Lathers – Reporter, Milwaukee Business Journal

Sep 22, 2025

Wauwatosa’s Director of Development Mark Hammond had one word for the progress on a plan to replace a church in the heart of downtown Wauwatosa with apartments: “Cranking.”

Three cranes are up at the site of the former St. Bernard Congregation site at 7474 Harwood Ave., where Milwaukee-based Three Leaf Partners is hard at work.

John Ford, the firm’s chief development officer, told the Milwaukee Business Journal that Three Leaf is making “tremendous” progress on construction.

“We remain on schedule to deliver this transformational project in summer 2026,” Ford said.Once complete, the Vista Village would offer 153 apartments in a range of configurations and sizes from studios to three bedrooms. Most units would also feature either an outdoor patio or balcony space

And despite leasing information not being finalized yet, Three Leaf is already receiving strong interest in the project from potential residents, Ford said.

The Vista Village, though, will look a little different than the $45 million concept the development firm, co-founded by Milwaukee Bucks player Pat Connaughton, pitched for the church site, which originally had 163 apartments, 187 underground resident parking stalls and 23 visitor parking spots.

Three Leaf reworked its plans in response to intense feedback from city officials and residents who said the designs should better match the community’s historic character and charm.

The design concept that moved forward included 10 fewer apartment units and more parking.

And unlike the original proposal, which featured a ring-shaped building with an interior courtyard, the updated plans show more of a C-shaped building with an interior courtyard that opens up to a plaza connecting to the pocket park at the corner of Harwood and Wauwatosa avenues.