The home of one of the most iconic Wisconsin Summer staples is currently undergoing an extensive renovation to bring it into the future: The renovation of The Cream Puff Pavilion at the Wisconsin State Fair grounds is currently underway, and Greenfire is managing the demolition and renovation of the historic venue.
Shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 State Fair in August, Greenfire began dismantling the interior of the structure to pave the way for modernization, accessibility and efficiency for the 23,000 SF building on the Fair Grounds Southwest side.
As demolition of the interior progresses, visible remnants of previous iterations of the building are coming to light, such as old signage, window casings and facades that have been covered up. This current project will see to a full restoration of the facility that will make for a much more functional and aesthetically pleasing version of the home of the tasty summer treat for generations to come.
Key improvements to the building will be the expansion of the kitchen space for the cream puff production, as the building’s west elevation wall will be expanded outwards to make room for a larger kitchen and increase fairgoer foot traffic space within the building. Full upgrades to the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing are within the project’s scope, including all new bathroom facilities on the building’s southwest side.
While the building is receiving proper modernization, great care is being put forth to restore much of the original building’s charm. Much of the exterior’s original woodwork detail and entryway arches are being restored, as well as new tuckpointing of the original brick façade. Within the exterior, there is original cream city brick that will be restored and repurposed for newly constructed segments of the building. The original window casings on the exterior of the building that were previously covered up, will be reopened with new windows for great natural lighting.
This project for the State of Wisconsin will ensure that the home of a Wisconsin original will be enjoyed for the thousands of patrons that flock to the State Fair every year and will create a functional and efficient space for the State Fair grounds that can be utilized year-round.
