As manager of facilities and workplace solutions at Thrivent Financial, Kristie Schwahn has helped shape some of the company’s most significant real estate strategies. Now, she’s playing an important role in one of the largest mixed-use developments in Wisconsin: Wilden Portfolio Park, a 580-acre community project in Appleton.
Schwahn, a Brillion native and UW–Stevens Point grad, started with Thrivent more than 20 years ago as a facilities planner. She says Wilden will be the first multi-phase, mixed-use project in Northeast Wisconsin that creates a complete community where people can live, work and play.
“The project represents a unique opportunity to create something transformative for Northeast Wisconsin while establishing a model for thoughtful, community-centered development,” Schwahn says.
Insight: How did the Wilden Portfolio Park development come about, and what role did Thrivent want to play in shaping Appleton’s north side?
Schwahn: Thrivent has been part of the Appleton community for over a century and we’re committed to helping shape its future. We’ve had long-standing aspirations to develop our land and announced in 2023 that we were going to explore new possibilities for the Ballard Operations Center and the 600 acres of land surrounding it. In collaboration with the city of Appleton and the broader community, we conducted community meetings, surveys and market studies to guide the creation of Wilden Portfolio Park — a 580-acre vision for living, working and recreation.
From a facilities and workplace perspective, what excites you most about the potential of this redevelopment?
We’re optimistic that the integration of residential, recreational, retail, employment and entertainment, along with 180 acres of open space dedicated to parks, trails, natural areas and ponds, will create a complete community. We believe these areas will benefit not only Thrivent’s workforce, but the broader Appleton community.
What is the plan for the Ballard Operations Center and where will the new one be located?
We are still exploring potential uses for the Ballard Operations Center, including the possibility of office, community and civic uses that are compatible with the master plan. A potential new building would be located on the south side of Thrivent’s campus in north Appleton.
With more than 2,000 housing units planned, what considerations are being made to ensure this community is accessible and sustainable?
Accessibility and sustainability are foundational to the master plan. We’re creating a comprehensive range of housing to serve diverse income levels and life stages, including cottages, single-family homes in various sizes and formats, townhomes, stacked flats, apartments, senior housing and workforce housing.
Our sustainability approach centers on preserving more than 180 acres of parks, trails and natural areas — nearly one-third of the total site. This includes six miles of recreational trails that will connect to the surrounding neighborhoods and existing trail systems. A walkable design reduces vehicle dependence and promotes an active lifestyle. With a build-out timeline likely spanning 20+ years, we can adapt to reflect evolving market needs and incorporate advancements in sustainability, like public transport and community amenities.
When will construction begin?
We plan to start construction of the first phase of Wilden Portfolio Park later this year.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far in the planning or development process?
The sheer scale and complexity of this 580-acre, first-in-Wisconsin project has been our greatest challenge. Creating this vision requires tremendous coordination across a talented team of planners, engineers, architects and developers who have worked collaboratively with the city of Appleton over several years to develop our master plan.
Our team has invested considerable time traveling across the country to study best practices from similar developments and is working closely with builders to understand how to create an attractive and affordable development. We are currently working on plans for an initial phase, which will include 450-500 new homes over three to five years.
How do you see Wilden Portfolio Park influencing economic growth or regional development in Northeast Wisconsin over the next decade?
Wilden Portfolio Park is poised to address the critical housing shortage that’s constraining business growth throughout the Fox Valley. The Appleton area needs at least 300 new housing units annually just to meet current demand, and this development’s diverse housing options will significantly contribute to that need.
A comprehensive economic impact study by Baker Tilly projects over $700 million in construction spending, creating 7,270 temporary jobs with an average wage of $63,660. Once fully developed, the operational impacts are estimated at over $230 million annually, supporting an additional 2,100 permanent jobs.
Beyond the numbers, we’re creating a new model for live-work-play communities that will make the Fox River Corridor more attractive to businesses seeking to recruit and retain talent. The mixed-use design, with commercial space for offices, retail, restaurants, and hospitality, will create a vibrant economic ecosystem that benefits the entire region.
Learn more about Wilden Portfolio Park at Insight’s InDevelopment conference, Sept. 16 at Thrivent in Appleton. Register at insightonbusiness.com/indevelopment.
