Notorious Madison motel transformed into community-driven housing project

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Once known for police calls and safety concerns, a former eastside motel has been transformed into an affordable housing development shaped by community input and rebuilt trust.

For years, the former Super 8 building at 4757 Hayes Road had a reputation in Madison’s east side neighborhood—just not the kind anyone wanted.

“In talking to neighbors, a lot of their complaints has been that they felt like the city just doesn’t think about them,” said Alder Sabrina Madison. “No one considers them.”

Now, that same property has undergone a full-scale renovation and reimagining—becoming Sandburg Studios, a 129-unit affordable housing development focused on safety, dignity, and community.

“And so, I came out here,” said developer Cody Wiseman. “And it looked nothing like this... it’s about a 35-year-old hotel building with good bones—and we stripped it down and put it all back together.”

But the physical renovation was only part of the project. Wiseman held multiple neighborhood meetings to hear directly from residents.

“It was important to me because I knew that this was kind of a problem property for the neighborhood,” he said.

What began with skepticism gradually shifted. Neighbors’ input—requests for things like a dog park, coworking space, and secure bike storage—made it into the final design.

Security measures, including improved lighting, monitored entry points, and a strong on-site presence by the property owner and staff, were added to help residents feel safer. Wiseman said he and others plan to be on the property frequently—not just as landlords, but as part of the community. The team has also built a good working relationship with Madison Police Department to ensure safety is a continued priority.

“At the end of the day, it shows the surrounding neighbors that the developer listened to them, the city listened to them,” Madison said. “Because a lot of what they suggested... showed up in the development.”

Tenants now range from traveling nurses to young professionals to new parents—people looking for a fresh start in a place that feels like more than just another apartment building.

“We don’t want this to just be a transient bedroom,” Wiseman said. “We want to create that community... where people are walking around with strollers and dogs. So again, building that sense of community not only here on the property, but also in the neighborhood.”

By reusing the original building instead of starting from scratch, developers were able to keep costs down and rents relatively lower. Units range from about $995 to over $1,800, depending on size and whether they’re furnished. It’s not subsidized housing, but Wiseman calls it “naturally affordable”—a middle-ground option in a city where housing costs continue to rise.

Wiseman hopes this project can be a model for rethinking other underused properties across Madison—especially those that may have been written off in the past.

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