The Canterbury Residences transformed underutilized single-family lots into a thriving 24-unit townhome community that meets housing demand while revitalizing the Grandview-Emerson Neighborhood in La Crosse.
Case Studies
The Canterbury
Project Summary
The Canterbury Residences is a thoughtful infill redevelopment project located in the Grandview-Emerson Neighborhood near the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Completed in 2018, the project replaced aging single-family homes built in the early to mid-20th century and well beyond their useful life, with two townhome-style buildings that provide modern housing options not tied to the traditional student leasing cycle. Our team identified a housing gap in the neighborhood for graduate students, newly hired university staff, and empty nesters who wanted to remain in the community but sought contemporary, low-maintenance living. Early engagement with the Grandview-Emerson Neighborhood Association (GENA) was central to the project’s success, ensuring the design blended seamlessly with surrounding homes and that community voices shaped the outcome. The residences feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, private garages, and rooftop patios, with entrances designed to engage the street and foster neighborhood connection. The project opened in 2019 and reached full occupancy within six months, demonstrating strong demand for quality housing that balances modern amenities with neighborhood character.
Quick Facts
Location
2012 Campbell Road, La Crosse, WI 54601
Project Type
Multifamily Rental Housing
Builder
Mettera, LLC
Website https://canterbury.threesixty.bz Management Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions, LLC Special Features Sustainable Development, GENA Neighborhood, Townhome Style, CPTED
www.threesixty.bz
The Canterbury Case Study 1
The Site and Background
In the early 2000s, we began acquiring properties around the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (UW–L) campus with the goal of redeveloping aging housing stock into contemporary residences. Many of these homes were located within the GENA, an area south and east of the Goosetown Campus Neighborhood Association and north of Cass Street near UW–L. The Canterbury Residences site, located at 2008 Campbell Road and 2100 Vine Street, presented unique challenges. The parcel is irregular in shape and book-ended by property owners who declined to participate in a larger redevelopment effort. This required careful planning to ensure a cohesive project that would integrate well with the surrounding neighborhood. To make the site workable, Three Sixty purchased an additional 148 feet of land from an adjacent property, providing the space necessary to achieve the intended layout and design.
Development Process and Timeline
Planning for The Canterbury Residences began with extensive neighborhood engagement and site design work in 2016. From the start, our team collaborated with the GENA to align the project vision with community priorities, ensuring the redevelopment would strengthen—not disrupt—the fabric of the neighborhood. This early input helped shape the building design, scale, and amenities. After securing approvals and finalizing the site layout, construction commenced in 2017. The irregular site required careful coordination with adjacent property owners, as well as the purchase of additional land to achieve a functional design. Our construction management team oversaw each stage of the build, emphasizing sustainable practices, high-quality materials, and long-term durability.
By 2018, the two townhome-style buildings were completed, offering a total of 24 residences (a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments). Final touches included native landscaping, stormwater management features, and the integration of smoke-free housing standards. The Canterbury Residences officially opened in 2019, reaching full occupancy within just six months.
CPTED
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) was an important aspect to consider when designing the exteriors of the Canterbury. CPTED principles were incorporated to enhance safety, reduce crime, and create a welcoming and secure environment for residents and the surrounding neighborhood.
The Canterbury showcases a row house design to ensure an economical solution for multiple tenants. Rather than focusing on the number of units in a structure, the row house design emphasizes scale and heights that are appropriate for and sympathetic to single-family or transitional neighborhoods. Listening to the GENA feedback, we placed a high emphasis on the design blending in with the neighborhood of single-family homes. This was achieved by using similar roof shapes, materials and decorative elements. Wood siding and brick was incorporated in the Canterbury design to create a cohesive look as well as gabled roofing to maintain visual harmony.
• Natural surveillance was created by the design of the garage roof top patios for clear sightliness.
• Clear and defined entrances were included to discourages unautho- rized access.
• Territorial reinforcement with signage and maintained landscaping was added to The Canterbury’s final details.
The project consisted of two townhome style buildings each consisting of four one-bedroom and eight two bedroom apartments. The entrances were designed to open to the boulevard and sidewalk creating a front porch feel and engage the street. There are garages connected to the apartments with a common corridor and the two bedroom apartments have a roof-top patio over the garages that provide a unique and private outdoor space. This townhome style building has maintenance free construction materials and the colors, and design aesthetic blends well into the surrounding single family homes.
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The Canterbury Case Study 2
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the core of our development philosophy, and few principles are more important than leveraging local resources. By sourcing materials, products, and labor locally, we not only reduced environmental impact but also supported job growth and reinvested in the La Crosse community. For this development, we made a deliberate choice to work exclusively with La Crosse-based businesses, ensuring that the project aligned with both the City of La Crosse and La Crosse County’s Strategic Plan for sustainability. Our team implemented a range of sustainable strategies throughout the project, including:
Underground Storm-water Storage • Energy Efficiency: Tight building envelope, sustainable high-quality materials, and energy-efficient design practices to reduce energy use. • Natural Light: Maximized daylighting to enhance comfort and lower energy demand. • Storm-water Management: On-site retention and sustainable drainage strategies to responsibly manage water. • Native Landscaping: Use of native plants that provide habitat and food sources for both people and wildlife. • Healthy Living: Developed as a smoke-free community, continuing Three Sixty’s leadership in creating smoke-free multifamily housing in La Crosse. • Connection to Nature: Proximity to the marsh, bluffs, and local parks encourages pedestrian activity and outdoor lifestyles. • Walkable Location: Easy access to UW–La Crosse, hospitals, government offices, and downtown employers allows residents to bike or walk to work, reducing automobile dependence.
Observations
Engaging with the GENA early in the process and actively seeking their feedback was central to the success of The Canterbury Residences. By inviting neighbors to participate in conversations before plans were finalized, we demonstrated a proactive, community-centered approach that emphasized transparency and respect for local perspectives. This collaboration helped address concerns, build trust, and foster a sense of shared ownership in the project. What could have been a contentious redevelopment instead became a model for how developers and neighborhoods can work together toward a common vision. GENA leaders expressed strong satisfaction with both the process and the outcome, highlighting how inclusive engagement can transform challenges into o pportunities for connection. When The Canterbury Residences opened in 2019, the market response validated this approach. The community reached full occupancy within six months, attracting a diverse mix of residents that aligned perfectly with the housing gap we had identified— graduate students, newly hired UW–La Crosse professionals, and empty nesters seeking to downsize without leaving the neighborhood. Since opening, the property has experienced consistently high demand with virtually no vacancies, underscoring its long-term appeal. The Canterbury Residences have not only elevated housing options in the Grandview-Emerson neighborhood but also reinforced the value of thoughtful design, sustainable practices, and authentic community collaboration.
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The Canterbury Case Study 3
Project Financial Information
2018 Assessed Value: 2018 Real Estate Taxes:
$439,600.00 $12,633.57.00 $2,026,900.00
TOTAL PROJECT COST:
2019 Assessed Value (Stabilization):
2019 Real Estate Taxes: Increment Created:
$53,214.55 $40,580.98
$3,226,991
*The above numbers are based on the economics prior to breaking ground for construction.
Number of Residences: Number of Bedrooms: Number of Parking Spaces:
24 40 50 24 26
• Garage/Enclosed:
• Surface:
The Canterbury Residences were named in honor of J.D. Canterbury, a longtime La Crosse resident whose family once lived on the very property where the apartments now stand. By carrying forward his name, the project pays tribute to the neighborhood’s
history while ushering in a new era of modern, sustainable housing. This naming choice reflects our commitment to honoring the legacy of the community, ensuring that its past is respected even as the neighborhood continues to grow and evolve.
Contact The Canterbury Residences 608-782-7361 inquire@threesixty.bz https://canterbury.threesixty.bz 2012 Campbell Road La Crosse, WI 54601
About Three Sixty The Three Sixty vision is to plan, develop and manage projects that will positively impact the communities as a whole - by stimulating growth and improving the lives of the people throughout the neighborhoods we serve. Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions is a vertically integrated, full-service real estate company with a community first mindset, only embarking on projects that will positively impact the community, the neighborhood, the customer and our team. Our expertise of the multifamily industry, from construction to management, allows us to yield long-term investment and catalyze growth by creating a sense of place that strengthens the neighborhoods. Our name is derived from the full circle of services we provide and our commitment to a project from start to finish. We have grown to be a successful, full-service real estate company because of the years of diligent and successful planning, developing and managing of all of our properties. We serve our customers at a level that exceeds industry standards and we provide quality outcomes for all partners.
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The Canterbury Case Study 4
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