Slinger, Wis. – The skyline along Kettle Moraine Drive in Slinger is changing as the new Apex mixed-use development takes shape. Project developer Scott Ritger said the facility is designed to complement downtown while helping support local businesses and meet the community’s growing housing needs.
The development includes a four-story apartment building with commercial space on the ground floor and a separate townhome complex located behind the main structure.
When completed, the project will add dozens of new residents within walking distance of downtown shops, restaurants, and community amenities including the highly-soughtafter Slinger School District.
Ritger said the project would not have happened without the support and collaboration of Village officials and residents.
“The village, as far as the government and the RDA and the boards, have been just incredibly supportive of this project and really put their all into make sure it compliments their overall vision of what they want Downtown to look like in the next 2, 5, 10 years,” said Ritger. “That’s been huge.”
The main Apex building will feature 32 apartment units and two commercial spaces at street level. One commercial tenant, local barber Scotty, is relocating from a building that was on the site originally and is designing a brand new barber shop space in the new development. A second commercial space of approximately 1,400-square-feet remains available for lease.
Above the commercial level will be three stories of one and two-bedroom apartments ranging from roughly 700-square-feet to about 1,200 square feet. Behind the building, a separate townhome development will offer three-bedroom units measuring nearly 1,900-square-feet.
The townhomes are expected to be available by September 2026, while the main Apex building and commercial units are scheduled for completion in May 2027.
A vision years in the making
According to Ritger, the site has been discussed as a redevelopment opportunity for years.
The village previously explored concepts for the property but public reaction showed residents wanted something that better fit the character of downtown Slinger.
“The village had explored this site a few years ago and a larger corporate development team came in here with a vision,” Ritger said. “It was a much taller building, lots glass, had little input from neighbors and by the sounds of it was tabled pretty quick by the Village because the vision didn’t fit with other buildings in downtown and the public didn’t support it”.
After hearing community feedback, the concept was shelved.
Following the success of Ritger’s Seventh Hill apartment development, village leaders approached him about tackling another challenging site.
“Scott [Stortz] and some of the board members approached me and said, ‘Hey, you took an impossible site, literally the side of a hill, and it turned out beautiful,'” Ritger said. “We’ve rented up immediately after construction was complete. They said, ‘We’ve got a second challenge for you.'”
The village worked with Ritger to assemble parcels, provide input and design critiques and ultimately create a plan that would fit downtown’s character while remaining financially viable.
“They basically said, ‘Downtown is our next big focus, and doing it right is incredibly important, so we want to see this,'” Ritger said.
Balancing growth with downtown character
A key goal of the project was maintaining a historic feel rather than introducing a modern structure that would clash with neighboring buildings.
Village leaders emphasized incorporating architectural elements that reflected Slinger’s heritage.
“We want to make sure it has a little bit of a historic feel to it and supports the restoration efforts of downtown RDA, and the museum and all of their visions all in one building,” Ritger said. “The juggling of opinions and input was a full time job but the end result is going to be worth it”
The building’s exterior includes materials designed to resemble traditional Cream City brick construction, helping blend the new development into the existing streetscape.
“This gives it that historic feel versus an all-glass and steel front,” he said.
The project replaces two buildings that were demolished as part of the redevelopment effort. Additional village-owned lots were combined into the final site plan.
More residents supporting local businesses
One of the largest impacts of the development may be the additional foot traffic generated by new residents living directly in downtown Slinger.
Ritger estimated the apartments and townhomes could bring roughly 120 new residents to the immediate area.
“You’re adding 120 people basically right here next to the Slinger House with walking distance to school, businesses, the public library and everything else downtown,” he said.
Village leaders have long discussed creating a more walkable downtown with a successful business district.
As part of that effort, the project includes a feature new to downtown Slinger.
“We’re adding angled parking on the street, so that’ll jut in similar to downtown West Bend,” Ritger said.
The improvement was strongly encouraged by the Downtown Redevelopment Authority as a way to increase parking availability and support future commercial growth.
“They want to see more commercial and eventually some additional parking to support all of the businesses down here,” Ritger said. “They’re really going after the best elements of surrounding downtowns and trying to blend them to support existing and attract new.”
Modern amenities for residents
The development includes a variety of amenities aimed at attracting renters seeking convenience and quality housing.
Residents will have access to heated underground parking, individual storage units, a fitness center and a community gathering space. Developers are also exploring a recreational area that could eventually include a game room or golf simulator.
Outdoor improvements are planned as well, including pet-friendly spaces such as a pet spa, and potential green areas adjacent to the property.
Pet ownership has become increasingly important for renters, Ritger said, noting that his Seventh Hill development has nearly 40 pets among its residents.
Building community support
Before construction began, Ritger personally reached out to neighboring property owners to introduce himself and provide his contact information.
“I wrote them all letters before we even got started and just gave them my direct cell phone number,” he said. “Here’s who I am. Here’s what I’m doing.”
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That proactive communication has helped address concerns quickly as construction progresses.
“All the neighbors so far have been really good, very easy to work with and very willing,” he said. “I know what we are doing here is disruptive so having open lines of communication with them and making adjustments is the right thing to do.”
Construction began with demolition work in late 2025 and remains on an accelerated schedule.
When completed, Apex will stand as one of the most visible redevelopment projects in downtown Slinger’s recent history, combining housing, commercial opportunities and streetscape improvements while helping shape a new chapter for the village’s downtown district.
For Ritger, the project represents more than bricks and mortar.
It is an investment in the future of downtown Slinger and a vote of confidence in a community that continues to embrace thoughtful growth while preserving its small-town character.
- General unit layouts
- Townhomes
- Qty 9: 3 bedroom / 2.5 – bath / 2 car massive private garage per unit (rents starting at $2650) all 1900 sq-ft + huge garage and storage
- Townhomes
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- Apartments
- Qty: 16 – 1-bedroom / 1-bath units (rent starting at $1350) ranging from 900-1100 sq-ft
- Qty: 16 – 2 bedroom / 2-bathroom units (rent starting at $1600) ranging from 1000-1400 sq-ft
- Underground heated parking
- Elevator
- Outside balcony and large full height windows
- Included in rent 6’x12’ storage space for each unit
- 9’ ceilings, quartz tops, SS appliances, focus on energy appliances, windows, additional soundproofing between walls
- FREE Additional off street parking around the main building
- ALL FREE AMENITIES – gym, game room, community room, car wash style vacuum station, pet spa room, outdoor pet run area with artificial turf
- State-of-the-art security and all electronic access controls
- Apartments
- Project timeline:
- the 9 townhomes are scheduled to be move in ready September 1, 2026
- the 32 apartment units are scheduled to be move in ready May 1, 2027
- the barber shop grand opening in the new space will be May 1, 2027
- the open commercial space (still available) will need a signed lease by December 1 and can be built out and move in ready May 1, 2027