A once-familiar downtown property has taken on a new purpose. With the completion of 550 William, the former Shopko site in De Pere is becoming a vibrant destination for living, working and gathering, supported by thoughtful construction planning and close coordination among the project partners.
Constructed by Immel Construction and designed by EUA, 550 William is a five-story mixed-use development featuring 60 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with commercial space on the first floor. Its downtown location places residents near restaurants, entertainment, trails, the Fox River and other community amenities.
Transforming a Well-Known Downtown Site
For nearly 60 years, an approximately 60,000-square-foot big-box store occupied the 4.1-acre property. Today, the former Shopko site is being reimagined through a larger redevelopment that includes 550 William, a hotel, De Pere’s first municipal parking garage and new infrastructure that reestablishes the area’s historic street grid.
550 William was the first of the four developments to be completed, bringing much-needed downtown housing to De Pere while helping create a more connected and walkable environment. New access through the former Shopko property improves connections among nearby neighborhoods, downtown destinations and Voyageur Park.
Solving the Construction Puzzle
Building a five-story development in one of downtown De Pere’s most active corridors required careful planning from the start. Limited laydown space, just-in-time material deliveries and multiple neighboring construction projects made site logistics especially important. At one point, four separate construction crews were working in close quarters as the apartments, hotel, parking garage and infrastructure improvements took shape around the property.
Immel provided comprehensive construction management for the project, coordinating deep foundation work and a structure that combines precast components with wood-frame construction. Careful sequencing of deliveries and construction activities helped the team move work forward efficiently within the constrained downtown site.
The team’s involvement began well before materials arrived on site. During preconstruction, Immel worked closely with the owner and architect to evaluate the design and identify cost-saving opportunities. That collaborative value engineering process generated strategies representing more than 10% in potential savings while supporting the project’s overall design and performance goals.
Purposeful Design for Downtown Living
The finished building brings 60 new residences to downtown De Pere, ranging from one to three bedrooms. Apartments offer views of the surrounding downtown area, while commercial space at street level adds another layer of activity to the development.
More than a new apartment building, 550 William represents a shift in how this prominent property serves the community. Where a large retail store and parking lot once stood, the mixed-use development introduces housing, commercial opportunities and stronger connections to the surrounding downtown area.
550 William welcomed its first residents in mid-July 2026. On October 15, the City of De Pere hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completed building and its neighboring developments.
The celebration marked an important milestone for a property that has been part of De Pere’s downtown landscape for generations. It also recognized the planning, coordination and craftsmanship required to turn a constrained urban site into an active mixed-use destination
550 William demonstrates what can happen when development, design and construction teams work together toward a shared vision. Through early value engineering, detailed logistics planning and careful coordination with neighboring projects, Immel helped turn an underutilized downtown property into a place that supports housing, business and community activity.
As a 100% employee-owned construction company, Immel is proud to help build projects that create lasting value for the communities they serve. The completed 550 William development is a new addition to downtown De Pere and an important first step in the continued transformation of this well-known site.