Vicino Case Study
Madison, Wisconsin • Dane County
Energizing a Neighborhood
For leasing information please visit VicinoMadison.com
About the Project
Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. (WHPC) and its partners are developing Vicino on a parcel one-third of an acre on Regent Street in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Rooted in the Italian word for “neighbor”, Vicino is designed to bring people closer: to their city, their community, and each other. Whether you’re grabbing coffee with a friend, enjoying the rooftop views, or relaxing in shared spaces that feel like extensions of your home — Vicino is where connection happens naturally.
Unit Mix
Vicino will be rental housing that accommodates households of various sizes and income levels offering studios, one and two-bedrooms apartments. The building will be five stories of “naturally occurring affordable housing” (NOAH) with apartments for households at 50% of the area median income (AMI) and 80% AMI, as well as some market-rate apartments.
Amenities
Vicino’s first-floor common space will include a leasing office, lobby, and parcel room. Other amenities include underground parking with EV charging, ample bicycle storage, large, private balconies, a 5th floor community room with rooftop terrace, in-unit washer and dryer, high-speed internet, walk-in closets, air conditioning, dishwasher, and luxury vinyl plank flooring. Vicino will have 1,450 square feet of commercial space on the first floor at the corner of Regent Street and Orchard Street.
The amenity rich neighborhood offers abundant conveniences within walking distance including restaurants, parks, entertainment, and several employers. Surrounding neighborhoods are a well-established mix of commercial and entertainment businesses, residential homes, and medical and educational institutions such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, Meriter Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, and Edgewood College.
Funding
Vicino will be funded with 501(c)(3) bond permanent debt, WHPC equity, a Capital Magnet Fund grant, and a brownfields grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Construction of the site, which was previously a vacant automotive shop, began in January 2025 and is estimated to be completed in spring 2026.
PROJECT TYPE
New Construction: Residential workforce housing with first floor commercial
LOCATION
Madison, Wisconsin
TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COST
$16 million
TYPE OF FUNDING
501(c)(3) bond issuance
CONSTRUCTION START DATE
January 2025
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE
Spring 2026
SITE SIZE
0.33 Acres
BUILDING SIZE
50 units with 1,450 sq/ft of first floor commercial
Vicino delivers much-needed workforce housing to Madison’s Greenbush neighborhood, ideally located between the UW-Madison campus and downtown. Residents come home to thoughtfully-designed apartments within a welcoming building set in one of the city’s most vibrant and connected neighborhoods.
WHPC RESPONSIBILITIES
Acquisition, Development, Construction Management, Asset Management, Financial Management
FINANCIAL SOURCES
501(c)(3) bond permanent debt
WHPC equity
Capital Magnet Fund Grant
Brownfields Grant from the WEDC
ARCHITECT AND DESIGN
Knothe Bruce Architects and
Destree Design Architects
CONSTRUCTION GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Iconica
ENGINEERING
Burse Surveying & Engineering, Inc.
ENVIRONMENTAL
True North Consultants
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Impact Seven
Vicino Apartment Details
The community lounge is strategically located on the West corner of the 5th floor for all to enjoy roof top views of the Capitol and Camp Randall. This gathering space will serve as a highly utilized area for residents to find connection with neighbors and host friends and family. The lush green rooftop contributes to the overall aesthetics while also supporting the building’s long-term energy efficiency and sustainability. Residents will enjoy a variety of paint colors, local art, and historical prints throughout the building common areas, as a nod to the Greenbush Neighborhood Italian influence.
