De­vel­opers get creative to solve Madison housing crisis

De­vel­opers get creative to solve Madison housing crisis

MADISON, Wis. — Madison has an urgent need for affordable housing. The city has one of the lowest rental vacancy rates in the U.S., according to a 2024 report on housing supply and affordability.

What You Need To Know

  • Developers and real estate investors, such as Cody Wiseman of Wiseman Capital, are getting creative to come up with housing solutions

  • Wiseman’s latest project converted a Super 8 motel on Madison’s east side into 129 units of affordable housing called Sandburg Studios

  • The motel rooms were transformed into studio apartments

  • The city is working towards a goal of creating 15,000 new homes by 2030. At least 25% of those homes will be designated as affordable housing, below market rates, for lower income residents
That low supply of housing is magnified by the city’s growing population and rising cost of living.

Developers and real estate investors, such as Cody Wiseman of Wiseman Capital, are getting creative to come up with solutions.

Wiseman’s latest project converted a Super 8 motel on Madison’s east side into 129 units of affordable housing called Sandburg Studios. The motel rooms were transformed into studio apartments. The property also offers a pool, fitness center, laundry, dog park and co-working lounge. Monthly rent starts at $1,075...
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Leo`s notes: Sandburg Studios in Madison is a bold example of how creative, private solutions can fill critical housing gaps—without waiting for public funding. Repurposing commercial spaces like motels won’t solve the crisis alone, but it’s the kind of out-of-the-box thinking we need to match our growing housing demand. The lesson is clear: flexibility, speed, and an openness to adaptive reuse can unlock housing opportunities in every community...

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- - Volume: 25 - WEEK: 23 Date: 6/2/2025 7:25:13 AM -