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JD McCormick files plan to convert 122 State Street into apartments

JD McCormick files plan to convert 122 State Street into apartments

Built World Madison, WI local

Seven-story building would add 35 units and ground-floor commercial space; neighbors object to existing skywalk

October 7th, 2026: JD McCormick files 122 State Street apartment conversion

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

A six-story commercial building at 122 State Street would become a seven-story apartment building with 35 units and 1,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space under a Planned Development application filed by JD McCormick Properties. The site already has Planned Development zoning from a 2018 hotel approval that never proceeded, so the new filing reuses an existing entitlement rather than starting from a blank slate.

The application goes to the Urban Design Commission as residents and Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. support the renovation but object to the existing Dayton Street skywalk, which they say blocks views of the Overture Center. The dispute now turns on whether the project can add housing while addressing a piece of pedestrian infrastructure the city already built.

Why it matters

The decision will show whether Madison can convert underused State Street offices into housing without reopening a fight over a skywalk that shapes downtown views.

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Key Indicators

35
Residential units proposed
The application proposes 35 apartments in the converted building.
1,500 sq ft
Ground-floor commercial space
The plan keeps commercial space on the first floor.
7
Building height after addition
The existing six-story building would gain a seventh floor.
2018
Planned Development approval year
The site's current zoning comes from a hotel project that did not proceed.

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Organizations Involved

JD McCormick Properties
JD McCormick Properties
Property developer
Applicant

Madison property owner and developer proposing the 122 State Street conversion.
CN
Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc.
Neighborhood association
Wrote in support of renovation, objected to skywalk

Downtown Madison neighborhood group that commented on the application.
CM
City of Madison Urban Design Commission
Municipal commission
Reviewing application

City body that reviews design for Planned Development projects.

Timeline

2018 October 2026

3 events Latest: October 7th, 2026 · 1 month ago

  1. JD McCormick files 122 State Street apartment conversion

    Latest Application

    The plan adds a seventh floor, 35 apartments and 1,500 square feet of commercial space.

  2. Neighbors back renovation, oppose Dayton Street skywalk

    Public comment

    Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. asked for the skywalk's removal or visual mitigation.

  3. City approved Planned Development for a hotel at 122 State Street

    Zoning

    The hotel project did not proceed, but the Planned Development zoning remained.

Scenarios

1

UDC recommends approval with skywalk conditions

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. comments and city review process

The commission could recommend the conversion while requiring the applicant to remove, screen or otherwise mitigate the Dayton Street skywalk. That would send the project to the Plan Commission and Common Council with the skywalk dispute addressed.

2

Project approved as filed, skywalk unchanged

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: City review process

The commission and council could accept the application without requiring changes to the skywalk, allowing the seven-story conversion to proceed as proposed.

3

Project stalls or is denied over skywalk and design

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: City review process

The application could fail to advance if the Urban Design Commission or Common Council rejects it, or if the applicant withdraws amid the skywalk dispute.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

2018

122 State Street hotel approval (2018)

Madison approved Planned Development zoning for a hotel at 122 State Street. The hotel project did not proceed, leaving the site with Planned Development zoning but no new building.

Then

The hotel never opened, and the six-story commercial building remained.

Now

The 2018 approval set the zoning envelope that JD McCormick Properties is now reusing for an apartment conversion.

Why this matters now

The current application is a second attempt to redevelop the same site under the same Planned Development framework.

Sources

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City of Madison Legistar City of Madison District 4 City of Madison Legistar City of Madison Legistar City of Madison Legistar