Former Syverson nursing home to go high-end

Upscale apartments there OK’d by Eau Claire Plan Commission; warehouse projects also approved in city

The Eau Claire Plan Commission gave the go-ahead Monday night for two large warehouse projects in a northwest side business park and for developers to convert the former Syverson Lutheran Home into an upscale apartment building.

The site plan for the nursing home project calls for Pablo Properties, Commonweal Development and Market & Johnson to transform the building at 816 Porter Ave. into 47 apartments. The project will include adding two parking garages, extensive interior renovations, improving the exterior architecture, upgrading the landscaping and adding to the fourth floor to create three penthouses.

“The idea is to make it a very attractive place, a very welcoming place to live and make it more a part of the 3rd Ward,” Commonweal President Stuart Schaefer said.

Several 3rd Ward homeowners already have expressed interest in potentially downsizing into the apartments and like the idea of being able to stay in their neighborhood, he said.

The renovation, which will include replacing all the windows and the HVAC system, has gained support from neighbors and the endorsement of the Third Ward Neighborhood Association, Schaefer told commissioners, who approved the site plan unanimously.

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