ST. FRANCIS, WIS./CHICAGO (Oct. 7, 2026) — Pre-leasing has begun at The Bluffs on Lake, M&R Development’s new 478-unit luxury apartment community located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan in St. Francis, Wis., just a 10-minute drive south of downtown Milwaukee. M&R is co-developing the Class A rental project with Campbell Capital Group, LLC, the same firm M&R teamed with to successfully develop 42 Hundred on the Lake, a 236-unit luxury rental building just south of The Bluffs on Lake that opened in 2021.
Located on a 21-acre site at 3700 S. Lake Drive, The Bluffs on Lake is a two-phase development comprised of two four- and five-story buildings, along with one level of underground parking and 8,000 square feet of first-floor retail space, some of which is earmarked for a restaurant with outdoor seating. First move-ins for the 278 apartments in Phase One of The Bluffs on Lake are expected to begin in early December with construction on Phase Two, which will offer 200 units, expected to begin in early 2027.
Residences at The Bluffs on Lake range from convertible one-bath apartments to three-bedroom two-bath floor plans. Units measure from 602 to 1,274 square feet, with monthly rents ranging from $1,674 to $3,932. RMK Management Corp. is overseeing leasing and property management for the community.
“The positive response to 42 Hundred on the Lake was so overwhelming, we knew we wanted to develop in this area again but we also wanted to do something a bit different, which is why our team can’t wait to start touring prospects through The Bluffs on Lake,” said Anthony Rossi, Jr., executive vice president of M&R Development. “While the development was designed to take full advantage of its special perch overlooking Lake Michigan, The Bluffs also offers some distinct amenities that we’re introducing for the first time to an M&R property in Wisconsin.
“We know renters today are comparing the convenience, flexibility and amenities of renting with homeownership,” continued Rossi. “So, one lifestyle aspect we really wanted to lean into at The Bluffs to set it apart from other communities was wellness. At The Bluffs, residents will have access to our debut meditation room and Zen Garden, which offer intentional spaces for reflection, focus and stress reduction.”
Additional wellness amenities at The Bluffs include a two-level fitness center featuring state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment; a dedicated Recharge room offering a red-light therapy sauna, dry cryotherapy and massage chairs; a resort-style pool with two sun shelves overlooking Lake Michigan; resident herb and vegetable gardens; a bocce ball court; and multiple outdoor lounge areas, including hammocks.
Rossi noted The Bluffs’ first residents will be able to celebrate the holidays in their new home and start enjoying a number of wellness amenities from day one, while outdoor amenities are scheduled for completion next spring.
The development team also placed a high emphasis on The Bluff’s many areas for remote work. “We’ve learned a lot over the last six years [since the pandemic] from our residents in terms of their preferred work-from-home setup, which is why we continue to enhance our on-site workspaces to suit their needs,” said Rossi. “The Bluff’s business center offers multiple seating areas, including private booths and conference rooms as well as communal meeting spaces. In addition, there are a variety of scattered hard and soft work areas throughout the building. But no matter where you sit, you’ll have breathtaking views of the Lake in eyesight. And of course, one of the work-from-home perks our residents appreciate the most is our free coffee bar.”
Additional building amenities at The Bluffs include an entertainment lounge with a kitchenette and ample seating for events; a game room with billiards and shuffleboard; a craft room; and a pet spa with a walk-up tub and adjustable grooming table. A self-service package room provides residents with 24-hour access to deliveries, while an on-site resident market offers convenient food and beverage options, ice machines and a designated food-delivery drop-off area.
In addition to the community’s two pools, outdoor amenities will be spread across multiple courtyards and designed to offer a balance of active recreation and relaxation, including gardens, grilling stations, fire tables, outdoor games, semi-private lounge areas, and a dedicated outdoor fitness area. The community will also feature a spacious outdoor dog park, providing plenty of room for exercise, socialization and off-leash play.
The development was also designed with biking enthusiasts in mind, offering ample bicycle storage and a convenient repair station. Residents who do not have their own bicycles can use shared community bikes, making it easy to take advantage of the property’s direct access to the Oak Leaf Trail, a 125-mile multi-use trail that runs along Lake Michigan and throughout Milwaukee County.
Residences at The Bluffs are designed around open-concept kitchen and living areas, with 9-foot ceilings, luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, full-size stackable washers and dryers, smart thermostats, and a private balcony or patio. Select floor plans elevate the interiors further with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, built-in mudrooms and walk-in closets, while several residences take full advantage of the community’s lakefront setting with unobstructed views of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee skyline.
Kitchens feature either islands or peninsula-style countertops, complemented by quartz surfaces, two-tone cabinetry, subway tile backsplashes, pendant lighting and upgraded appliance packages. Baths carry a contemporary design with quartz-topped vanities and combination tub and shower surrounds finished with subway tile.
“We are tremendously proud of The Bluffs as it’s really captured how much we understand what local renters want from their apartment, both inside and out,” said Rossi. “It’s a truly exceptional living experience in the Milwaukee area.”
The Bluffs on Lake is located approximately 1 mile north of St. Francis High School and a five-minute drive to middle and elementary schools. Residents are just a five-minute drive to Milwaukee’s popular Bay View neighborhood, which offers restaurants, coffee shops, a grocery store and shopping venues. Downtown Milwaukee is less than 10 minutes by car, putting residents within easy reach of major employers and popular Milwaukee attractions. Residents also are steps from the Oak Leaf Trail.
The Bluffs on Lake was designed by Poole & Poole Architecture, with Madison, Wis.-based Stevens Construction Corp. serving as general contractor.
In addition to 42 Hundred on the Lake, M&R Development’s other Wisconsin projects include 2929 on Mayfair in Wauwatosa and Elevate Apartments in Madison. For more information on The Bluffs on Lake, call (414) 512-5030, email TheBluffs@rmk.com or visit www.thebluffsapartments.com.
About M&R Development:
Founded in 1996, Chicago-based M&R Development is a developer of Class A rental communities, ranging from garden-style and mid-rise buildings to urban high-rises. Over the past 30 years, the company has developed more than 5,317 apartment units in the greater Chicago and Milwaukee areas, as well as in Madison, Wisc. M&R develops, builds and renovates communities.
About RMK Management Corp.:
A leading Midwest property management firm, RMK Management Corp. manages more than 7,500 units across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The company’s portfolio spans a range of apartment types, from high-rise and mid-rise buildings to two- and three-story walk-up apartments, garden apartments, affordable housing and build-to-rent (BTR) townhomes.
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Editors:
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Kathryn Kjarsgaard, kkjarsgaard@taylorjohnson.com or (312) 267-4514.
Image Captions:
- The Bluffs on Lake Exterior:Pre-leasing has begun atThe Bluffs on Lake, a 478-unit luxury apartment building located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan in St. Francis, Wis., just a 10-minute drive south of downtown Milwaukee. The Bluffs on Lake offers apartments ranging from convertible to three-bedroom designs, resort-style amenities, and deliveries starting in late 2026.
- The Bluffs on Lake Pool and Outdoor Amenities:Outdoor amenities at The Bluffs on Lake, a 478-unit luxury rental community in St. Francis, Wis., include a resort-style pool with two sun shelves overlooking Lake Michigan, a tranquility garden, grilling stations, fire tables, hammocks and multiple lounge areas.
- The Bluffs on Lake Apartment Interior:Apartments atThe Bluffs on Lake, a 478-unit luxury apartment building in St. Francis, Wis., feature open-concept kitchen and living areas with 9-foot ceilings, luxury vinyl plank flooring and islands or peninsula-style countertops topped in quartz. Select units have floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Lake Michigan.
- The Bluffs on Lake Remote Workspace: Extensive indoor amenities at The Bluffs on Lake are centered within a two-story clubhouse designed to provide residents with a variety of spaces to gather, work, relax and recharge. Shown is the business center, featuring private workspaces, conference rooms, individual workrooms and semi-private nooks with views of Lake Michigan.
