The Milwaukee Mayor’s Design Awards recognize architectural design excellence throughout the City of Milwaukee. Two projects managed by Greenfire received these awards by adding value to their neighborhoods by renovating, restoring, constructing or enhancing their properties in a way that contributes to the character of their neighborhoods.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson hosted the 28th annual awards ceremony at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning.
Concordia 27 received an Urbanism Redefined Award – recognizing projects that “made extraordinary contributions that restores the City’s built environment and expands opportunities for employment, education and bolsters social connections.”
Located on Milwaukee’s Near West Side on the corner of 27th and Wells St, Concordia 27 is the transformation of a once vacant yet historic 79,250 SF building into a bustling community and wellness hub. In addition to 30 affordable apartment units, Concordia 27 provides community resources for local entrepreneurs, retail and café spaces, gathering and meeting spaces, as well as the home of other local organizations. The development’s first floor is home to Near West Side Partners offices, the Milwaukee Centers for Independence’s training center and meal prep kitchen, Fruition MKE’s coworking, makerspace and café, and SWIM (Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee) a non-profit resource and therapy center that addresses trauma and provides wellness services.
Project Team & Contributors
Wiegand Enterprises, Quorum Architects, Inc., Pierce Engineers, Preserve Design Studio, LLC, Near West Side Partners (NWSP)
Davidson Park received a Places & Spaces Award – awarded to projects that have “greatly contributed to the character of Milwaukee’s neighborhood and improved public infrastructure and community spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
This brand-new Park offers Milwaukee residents a vibrant and inclusive outdoor gathering space that blends cultural heritage with sustainable design in mind. The park includes the use of natural, waney-edge timbers and weathered steel. The park utilizes its bioretention systems, pervious pavers, and underground storage cistern to capture over 225,000 gallons of stormwater during large rain events. 120 native plant species, including 20 species of trees and 100 species of perennials were planted. With green lawns, a serenity garden designed in collaboration with the Forest County Potawatomi Community, and a central amphitheater at “The Hub,” this new space park invites families, neighbors, and visitors to connect.
Project Team & Contributors
The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Heatherwick Studio / HGA, Near West Side Partners, The Forest County Potawatomi Community
Congratulations to our project partners who trusted us to manage these innovative construction projects that help improve Milwaukee’s urban spaces!
