Architectural Millwork CASE STUDY for the historic renovation of MSO's Bradley Symphony Center | 11.03.2021 BENEATH THE HARD HAT
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Work Meets Play for Performing Artist in Construction Trades | 04.29.2021 BENEATH THE HARD HAT
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Before and After Theater and Stage Photos with Details of MSO's Warner Grand Theatre Historic Restoration Construction | 04.16.2021 BENEATH THE HARD HAT
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Maintaining Focus | 08.29.2019 BENEATH THE HARD HAT
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LOCATION: Milwaukee, WI | SIZE: 202,000 sq ft | COMPLETED: 2020 | CLIENT: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra | ARCHITECT: Kahler Slater | INDUSTRY: Arts + Entertainment | DELIVERY METHOD: C.D. Smith Construction Manager
C.D. Smith provided Preconstruction, Construction Management and General Contracting services for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) to convert the Warner Grand Theatre into its new performance center. Our team worked with the Owner, consultant and design team to coordinate all building trades. In collaboration with all trades, we analyzed each part of the project to ensure we were selecting the right product at the right price point.
The stage expansion included the raising of the existing proscenium beam, new performance stage, chorus seating behind the performance, new rigging and theatrical lighting. The south addition consists of grade A multipurpose and pre-function spaces for events. The north addition houses the functions of the theatre. The space includes loading docks, service elevators, mechanical rooms, instrument storage and other functional pieces of the Symphony. The office tower renovation consists of a 12 story tower that will house the MSO offices, music library, and chorus warm-up area.
When a crew works together and stays focused as a team, they can accomplish amazing feats, like moving a 625-ton historic wall 35 feet. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra historic wall move is an achievement of engineering, but also an accomplishment of a crew staying focused and ensuring everyone thinks safe and works safely.
The Challenge:
Move an 86’ x 100’ wall 35’ while keeping the wall intact and preserving the original 1932 steel frame, cream city brick infill and terracotta cladding... in busy downtown Milwaukee.
C.D. Smith worked with the design team, wall move contractor and civil engineers to carefully devise a plan for the wall move. The wall was moved using 4 hydraulic rams powered by a unified hydraulic jacking machine linked together in unified pressure. A total of 24 jacks on 6 main beams lifted the wall. The wall move bracing and support steel weighed 125 tons, equal to 20% of the wall’s weight. Watch the embedded videos to see the team in action!
It took years of planning to successfully complete the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's historic wall move. A feat like this simply could not have been possible without the collaboration of an amazing team of experts.
Orchestrating a classic - Bradley Symphony Center | Milwaukee Business Journal 05.12.2022
MSO project a huge boost to downtown Milwaukee: Real Estate Awards | Milwaukee Business Journal 05.12.2022
ASID Wisconsin Honors Kahler Slater with Platinum Award | Kahler Slater and ASID Wisconsin 05.02.2022
2022 CiD Awards Final | IIDA Wisconsin Chapter 04.26.2022
See the Milwaukee Business Journal's 2022 Real Estate Award winners | Milwaukee Business Journal 03.24.2022
How a lavish 1930s theater was reborn as an acoustical paradise | Fast Company 02.28.2022
2021 Historic Restoration Award Winner Announced | The Wisconsin Historical Society 02.2022
Jones Architectural Creations and Jones Sign play a part in historic remodel of Warner Grand Theatre | The Ritz Harold 12.23.2021
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra reimagines a classic theater | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 10.27.2021
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra only about 70% full for opening concerts | Milwaukee Business Journal 10.07.2021
A Symphonic Celebration: The Milwaukee Symphony's New Home | Milwaukee PBS 10.02.2021
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Moves into a Restored Movie Palace | Metropolis 09.15.2021
Bradley Symphony Center among 2021 Mayor's Design Award winners | Milwaukee Business Journal 06.07.2021
At Last, We Can Say It: Welcome! | Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra YouTube Channel 05.25.2021
Inside the Herculean Task to Build the MSO's New Home | Milwaukee Business News 04.26.2021
Milwaukee's New Bradley Symphony Center | Milwaukee Business News 04.26.2021
See the MSO's Bradley Symphony Center before it officially opens Saturday: Slideshow | Milwaukee Business Journal 04.07.2021
Bradley Symphony Center to open to in-person audience for the first time this weekend | BizTimes 04.06.2021
First Look: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Bradley Symphony Center | OnMilwaukee 03.25.2021
After Four Years Of Renovation, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Ready To Unveil Its New Home | WUWM 89.7 Lake Effect Segments 03.09.2021
Milwaukee Symphony opens new concert hall without an audience, but with hope for the future | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 02.02.2021
Progress report: MSO's Bradley Symphony Center nears completion | OnMilwaukee 11.17.2020
See latest progress as seats installed at MSO's Warner Grand Theatre: Slideshow | Milwaukee Business Journal 11.15.2020
See latest progress as seats installed at MSO's Warner Grand Theatre: Slideshow | Milwaukee Business Journal 10.15.2020
See latest progress of historic renovation of Grand Theatre by MSO: Slideshow | Milwaukee Business Journal 09.22.2020
Flood Delays Opening of Bradley Symphony Center | Urban Milwaukee 09.11.2020
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Bradley Symphony Center Case Study | Staff Electric 08.04.2021
The Pavilion at the Bradley Symphony Center | Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra 07.01.2020
Symphony Installs Recreation of Original Warner Blade Sign | OnMilwaukee 05.11.2020
Symphony Hangs New Sign | Urban Milwaukee 05.10.2020
Symphony Center To Get New Sign This Weekend | Urban Milwaukee 05.06.2020
Inside the Bradley Symphony Center | Urban Milwaukee 02.14.2020
Milwaukee Symphony's new home will be called the Bradley Symphony Center | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 02.13.2020
Symphony’s New Home Takes Shape | Urban Milwaukee 01.17.2020
Milwaukee Symphony's new concert hall combines old movie house, new additions and 'Harry Potter' whimsy | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 10.16.2019
MSO raises more than $120 million for theater restoration, future operations | Milwaukee Business Journal 10.16.2019
Wall move Time-lapse video | MSO Backstage 08.14.2019
Symphony Moves a 625-Ton Wall | Urban Milwaukee 08.13.2019
Former Grand Theatre's 625-ton wall is about to be moved -- slowly -- to create MSO's new concert hall | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 08.02.2019
One of Milwaukee’s last movie palaces getting new life | WUWM, Bubbler Talk 06.07.2019
Milwaukee’s crumbling cultural assets | BizTimes 04.29.2019
MSO’s Warner Grand Theater renovation reveals long-hidden features | Milwaukee Business Journal 12.19.2018
Full Speed Ahead on Symphony Project | Urban Milwaukee 09.07.2018
Symphony Breaks Ground on New Hall | Urban Milwaukee 06.21.2018
Symphony’s Grand Theatre Plan Moves Forward | Urban Milwaukee 05.08.2018
Restoration of Milwaukee's Warner Grand Theatre to Break Ground | The Architect's Newspaper 05.07.2018
Committee Okays Symphony Plan for Grand Theatre | Urban Milwaukee 05.01.2018
Committee Okays Symphony Plan for Grand Theatre | Urban Milwaukee 05.01.2018
Milwaukee money for Bon-Ton, MSO Grand Theatre renovation approved | Milwaukee Business News 02.07.2017
City Panel Okays Big Westown Upgrades | Urban Milwaukee 02.01.2017
Symphony Move Huge for Downtown | Urban Milwaukee 12.20.2016
Why does the MSO need a dedicated symphony hall?
Why can't the MSO stay at its current venue?
When will the Warner Grand Theater open?
What will the patron experience be like?
Does this mean you have raised all the funds necessary to complete construction?
How much do you have left to raise?
Are donor benefits and naming opportunities available?
Where will we park at the Warner Grand Theater?
How many seats are in the Warner Grand Theater?
When will I be able to select my seats?
