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Even as the coronavirus continues to do its damage to the economy, a couple development announcements have emerged to offer hope for the future.

First, Forward Space, LLC – a Chicago-based Steelcase office furniture dealer and women-owned business – has announced it will renovate a building for its new Milwaukee location on the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee’s Harbor District, near where the Michels R1ver development is already rising.

Forward Space has hired 20 Milwaukee-area employees and have tapped RINKA architects to renovate the interior of the former Paul Davis Restoration office building, 2000 S. 4th St.

Forward Space has already opened a warehouse and office at 1966 S. 4th St., near the new site, and a small showroom at 1300 N. 7th St., near the Fiserv Forum.

"When we began touring real estate options last fall, this site very quickly stood out to us, it really checked all the boxes. From an on-site warehouse, easy freeway access, plenty of parking and proximity to downtown and the Third Ward, to the outdoor green space, boat slip and river views," said Elizabeth Lewis, Forward Space VP of Sales for the Milwaukee region, in a statement.

"The Harbor District is really ‘what’s next’ in Milwaukee and our team is excited to be part of the revitalization and development of this great area, as well as to putting down our roots here and starting our next chapter."

The new office and showroom will include a social kitchen, employee work café, mezzanine, glass garage doors leading to outdoor work and event areas and a riverfront patio, a meditation/wellness room, flexible and mobile workstations and collaboration settings, "customer oasis," a meeting area with glass-walled conference rooms and phone booths for teleconferencing, and individual rooms that will showcase education and healthcare furniture.

"Our new location will truly be a destination for our employees, clients, industry partners and the business community," said Forward Space CEO and principal owner Jenny Niemann. "We even have a boat in the plans, to host customer meetings on the water and for our employees to enjoy during the summer months."

Last week, Chicago’s M&R Development announced that it has started work building its first rental property in the state, a 236-apartment building at 4200 S. Lake Dr. in St. Francis.

The project, called 4200 On the Lake, is expected to begin welcoming tenants in spring of 2021.

"We’ve always had one eye on the Milwaukee area, especially the stretch that runs south of the city to the airport – good job growth, easy access to I-94, great lake views – as it checks a lot of boxes," said Anthony Rossi, Sr., managing partner of M&R Development, in a statement.

"In fact, we looked at this site 20 years ago, but the timing wasn’t right. You only get one chance to build your first project in a different state, so we wanted to make sure we did it right. Our patience paid off. We secured the best parcel on this site, perched on a bluff with incredible views of Lake Michigan to the east and the city to the north."