Milwaukee Tool – Downtown Office

Overview

Stephen Perry Smith Architects is proud to have been a key partner in the renovation of Milwaukee Tool’s downtown office building. This transformative project revitalized an iconic space and has received multiple awards, including the prestigious Milwaukee Business Journal Project of the Year Award. We are thrilled that our innovative design and commitment to excellence have been recognized on such a significant scale. This achievement reflects our dedication to creating functional, beautiful environments that inspire and serve the communities around them.

To support Milwaukee Tool’s ongoing expansion, we undertook an ambitious renovation of a five-story, nearly 390,000 square foot office building at the corner of 5th and Michigan in downtown Milwaukee. Once vacant and deteriorating, this building was chosen as the ideal location to accommodate Milwaukee Tool’s growing needs. The accelerated design and construction phases, driven by space constraints within existing facilities, adhered to a strict timeline.

Our architectural designs transformed the exterior by replacing solid precast panels with high-efficiency clear glass, enhancing natural light and modernizing the façade. Significant updates were made to the façade, structure, core, and shell components, ensuring compliance with current codes while prioritizing long-term safety and energy efficiency. The adjacent parking structure, previously in poor condition due to years of neglect, was comprehensively renovated to provide a safe and secure parking facility for employees. This renovation included adding large, undulating red walls with varying panel sizes to the exterior, covering the south, east, and west sides to create visual impact. These striking red walls, featuring a prominent Milwaukee Tool logo at the main entrance and parking structure, establish a bold and distinctive presence for the facility.

Inside, the centerpiece is a striking five-story atrium with a 1,400 square foot skylight, fostering daylight connection across all floors. The space features an innovative ‘learning stair’ for gatherings and large company-wide meetings, complemented by a visually engaging red wall opposite the stairs. This red wall, adorned with panels that mimic the exterior design of the parking structure, enhances the open and exposed structural elements throughout the space. All floors are open and feature exposed structure, mechanical piping, and ductwork, with diagonal light fixtures adding visual interest throughout.

Amenities include a cafeteria with city views, coffee bar, and an outdoor patio. To promote the health and wellness, the building features dedicated bike storage, a large gym and locker rooms with showers.

This project highlights our commitment to commercial design and Milwaukee architecture, showcasing a modern office building architectural plan that blends both functionality and aesthetic appeal, all while honoring the trades that built the structure and those who use Milwaukee Tool’s products.