Demolition begins to make way for The Corners of Brookfield

BROOKFIELD (WITI) -- What was an empty and blighted property will soon offer more than 235 luxury apartments, and more than 1,000 permanent jobs in the Town of Brookfield.

For The Corners of Brookfield, changes are just around the corner...literally.

"What this'll be behind me is The Corners of Brookfield which will be a premiere lifestyle center," said The Corners of Brookfield Spokesperson, Lynn Sheka,

What was once a Menards location had been idling empty for several years. But Friday, demolition crews are skillfully eliminating the former hardware store's vacant buildings.

"We had taken down the cinema last year," said Matt Bunchek.

Matt Bunchek is the demolition division member for contractor, C.W. Purpero -- billed as Wisconsin's first green tier excavating contractor.

"Steel goes to steel recycling. Brick and block and concrete go to another structure for recycling. And we recycle even the wood," said Bunchek.

They are working on the site of a $200 million development featuring 750,000 square feet of mixed-use.

"It'll feature both retail, restaurants and luxury housing. So it'll really be a great community space," said Sheka.

This vacant strip mall on the western portion of the property will also be razed, but there will be no lack of shopping options.

"We're also thrilled about our anchor tenants which are Sendik's and Von Maur department stores. It'll be the first Von Maur, actually, in the whole state of Wisconsin," said Sheka.

But first, these buildings will be broken down.

"You actually have to take apart the same way it went together. And actually demolition is construction in reverse. So, what you're seeing is a construction job that was built when Menards was built. We're just reversing the process and we're basically going backwards," said Bunchek.

The demolition is supposed to last about a month or so. The Corners is set to fully open up in the fall of 2016.