The Renovation of Francis Apollo Apartments

Welcome to the journey. Since October 2024, this classic building has been undergoing a full-scale renovation, modernizing each unit while preserving the timeless character that makes it special. Below, you’ll find a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation process, along with individual highlights of Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and the spacious attic apartment (Unit 5). Each space offers its own distinct layout and charm, brought to life through thoughtful design and careful restoration.

Unit 1

This spacious 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment includes a dedicated office, perfect for today’s remote worker or anyone looking to enjoy this unique feature. With nearly 2,000 square feet of vintage charm, the unit offers both character and comfort. A small fenced-in area provides a great space for your dog to enjoy.

Photos are not currently available, as this unit is presently occupied.

Unit 2

Located on the first floor, Unit 2 will be a charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment spanning approximately 1,300 square feet. It will feature original wood trim, hardwood flooring, and a bright sunroom with a beautiful view of Horace White Park. The kitchen will be outfitted with wood cabinetry, an island, a dishwasher, and modern appliances, combining style and function. Additional conveniences will include a private garage and an in-unit washer and dryer for added comfort and ease.


Photos of Unit 2 are shown below.

Interior of a room under renovation with exposed wooden studs and beams, visible wiring, and an open doorway leading to another room with windows and a radiator.
Interior of partially renovated room with exposed wooden lath.
Empty room with hardwood floors, white walls, and wooden trim; visible doorway leading to a room with pink walls and a window in another connecting room.
Empty room with bright pink walls, two windows with dark frames, a small radiator, a step ladder, and paint supplies in the corner.
View of a narrow hallway with wooden trim, leading to a bright room with pink walls and a lit ceiling light.
Empty room with wooden trim, French doors, a vintage TV, and a ladder near a window.
Interior of a partially renovated room with exposed wood framework and bare plaster walls, featuring wooden door frames and moldings, and construction materials on the floor.
Interior room with wood trim, an orange ladder on the floor, two windows, and a light fixture on the ceiling.
Interior of a room under renovation with purple walls, exposed wooden beams, exposed lath, a single window, and a dark cloth on the floor.
Room under renovation with French doors, stacked wooden planks, old TV, and space heater.

Unit 3

Located on the second floor, Unit 3 will be a spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment with approximately 1,800 square feet of living space. It will feature a spa-like primary bathroom with dual vanities, offering both luxury and convenience. Vintage charm will be preserved throughout the unit, including a private sunroom off the master bedroom and a larger sunroom overlooking Horace White Park. The apartment will also include an in-unit washer and dryer, dishwasher, and modern appliances to complement its classic appeal. The unit will also come with a private garage.

Photos of Unit 3 are shown below.

Interior of a house under renovation with exposed wooden beams and wall studs. A desk with a chair is in a corner near a window, and construction tools are visible, including a ladder and a dustpan.
Room under renovation with exposed wooden walls and ceiling beams, a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling, a table with tools, a rolling chair, two trash bins, and a ladder near the window.
Interior of a room under renovation with exposed wooden beams and studs, a ladder, saw, and various construction materials scattered around. There are trash cans, a table with miscellaneous items, and a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling.
Interior of a room under renovation with exposed wooden studs, a utility sink, cleaning supplies, and a green bucket.
Interior of a room under renovation with exposed wooden beams, a table saw on a stand, a ladder with a fan, and construction materials on the floor.
Room under renovation with exposed wooden beams and walls, construction tools like a table saw, ladder with fan, windows, and scattered materials on the floor.
Interior of a room under renovation with exposed wooden studs, visible wiring, a wooden door, and construction materials. A radiator and a table saw are also present.
Bathroom under renovation with exposed walls and ceiling, showing a toilet, window, and radiator.
Partially renovated room with exposed wooden beams and wiring, a sink on the left, open window frames, and a bare floor.
Empty room with two windows, exposed ceiling beams, wooden floor, and rolled-up carpet.
Room under renovation with cleaning supplies and vacuum
Interior of a room with wooden trim, partial wall with window, open doorway, and hardwood floor.
Interior of a partially renovated room with exposed wooden studs, a wooden door leaning against a wall, visible ceiling beams, and two windows.
Room under renovation with ladder, tools, and cleaning supplies.

Unit 4

Unit 4 will be a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment with approximately 1,200 square feet of living space, located on the second floor. It will offer an amazing view of Horace White Park from the sunroom. This unit will include modern appliances, an in-unit washer and dryer, and a layout very similar to Unit 2, with comparable square footage. The unit will also come with a private garage.


Photos of Unit 4 are shown below.

Partially renovated room with exposed wooden studs, unfinished walls, and a marked fridge location. Bare bulb hanging from the ceiling.
Room under renovation with exposed walls and stripped flooring, featuring debris and construction materials.
Unfinished room with scattered renovation tools and materials, including a table with a coffee maker, a folding door, windows, a sawhorse, and construction items on the floor.
Empty room with white walls, three large windows, renovation supplies including buckets, containers, and toolboxes on the floor, and a framed picture leaning against the wall.
Empty room with white panel walls, a framed picture of a ship leaning against the wall, green buckets, a tool box, and some floor padding on wooden floorboards.
Interior of a house under renovation with dust-covered hardwood floors and open double doors.
Interior of a room under renovation with exposed wooden framing, wall laths, and floorboards. A workbench with tools and a stepladder are visible. Electric wiring hangs from the ceiling.
Interior of a partially renovated room with exposed wooden beams and walls, visible wiring, construction tools on a shelf, a small step ladder, and a doorway leading to another room.
Empty room under renovation with ladder, box on floor, bare light bulb, and window.

Unit 5 (the attic)

Unit 5 will be a spacious 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom oasis located on the third floor, spanning across much of the entire building with approximately 2,300 square feet of living space. This unique attic space, never before used as a residential area, will be fully converted as part of this renovation, creating a truly special apartment. The unit will feature gorgeous vaulted ceilings with skylights, allowing natural light to flood the space. A private walk-out deck will be built, offering stunning views of Horace White Park.


Photos of Unit 5 are shown below.

Empty attic with wooden beams, slanted ceiling, and some construction materials on the floor.
Empty attic space with sloped wooden beams, a window at one end, and scattered items on the floor.
Spacious attic with wooden beams, exposed brick chimney, scattered tools, boxes, and construction materials.
Empty attic with wooden beams and flooring, scattered boxes and items, and a small window providing light.
Dimly lit attic with exposed wooden beams, wooden floor, scattered boxes, and a window at the far end.
An unfinished attic with exposed wooden beams, a vacuum cleaner, a wooden box, scattered tools, and a ceiling light bulb.
An unfinished attic with exposed wooden beams, a shop vacuum, and miscellaneous items on the floor.

Snapshots from the Renovation

Since October 2024, the majority of work at Francis Apollo Apartments has focused on demolition. The units are now down to the studs, marking a major milestone in the transformation. So far, we’ve removed well over 100,000 pounds of material—filling exactly 100 yards of dumpsters so far (shout out to TrashBox Disposal and the City of Beloit’s dumpster rental service), along with four weekly trash bins.

With demolition nearly complete, we’re entering the next exciting phase of the project. We’re collaborating with interior designers, structural engineers, tradespeople, and a variety of other professionals to ensure the building’s next chapter is truly something special. The next phase of the project—happening this summer—will focus on framing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, drywall, and the exciting work of designing and furnishing each unit. We're thrilled to be creating an incredible living space that adds to the energy and revitalization happening near downtown Beloit.

Photos of the renovation process are shown below.

Two men taking a selfie outdoors in a park-like setting with trees in the background. One man is wearing a beanie and sunglasses, and the other is wearing a baseball cap and glasses.
Person on ladder during home renovation with debris on floor, exposed wooden beams, and partial wall removal.
Man removing old flooring in kitchen renovation project with stove and refrigerator, exposed walls, and construction debris.
A person wearing a yellow hard hat inside a construction site with wooden beams and chains in the background.
Person on scaffolding painting eaves of two-story house
Person holding a sledgehammer in a partially demolished bathroom, with a bathtub and exposed wall behind.
Person wearing a glove holding a sledgehammer in a construction or renovation setting, with exposed wooden studs in the background.
Room under renovation with exposed wall insulation, ladder, and buckets
Interior of a room under renovation with exposed beams, debris on the linoleum floor, a chair, refrigerator, and stove.
A person doing renovation work in an old kitchen with exposed lath and plaster walls, a broom nearby, and tools on the counter.
Two people removing an old bathtub during bathroom renovation, with tools scattered around the area.
Person wearing protective gear doing demolition work in a room with exposed wall lathes.
Room under renovation with exposed wooden slats on walls and ceiling, debris on the floor, and construction tools like a ladder and trash cans.
Person wearing a beanie and gloves giving a thumbs-up in a room under renovation with exposed wooden beams and slats.
Person sitting on a rooftop pointing towards a chimney with a hammer and tools nearby, wearing a cap, light blue shirt, and gloves. Overcast sky and leafless trees are visible in the background.
Person in a light blue shirt and white cap repairing a chimney on a rooftop, using tools, surrounded by debris, with a view of a street and trees in the background.
Person working in an attic with a yellow ladder and debris on the floor, wearing a cap, and using a shovel.
Overhead view of a garbage truck and two workers near a large empty dumpster on a paved surface.
Interior of a room under construction with exposed wooden beams on the ceiling, a red ladder, and various tools scattered around.
Construction worker on a cherry picker repairing the roof of a white house. A dumpster and several trash bins are next to the building. Clear blue sky above.