C.D. Smith, in partnership with Gilbane Building Company, was awarded construction management services for the Baird Center expansion. This one-square-city-block expansion includes 300,000 SF of exhibit hall space, a 65,500 SF rooftop ballroom and outdoor terraces, indoor parking, and 73,400 SF of flexible meeting room space. The project also involved retrofitting the current convention center.

Design and Sustainability

The original Wisconsin Center exterior remains the same, while the north end addition of the Baird Center showcases a modern design intended to complement Fiserv Forum. The project officially earned LEED^® Gold certification from  the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), incorporating several environmentally friendly features to reduce its carbon footprint:

• Gray roof membrane
• Use of reclaimed timber in stadium stairs
• Advanced water conservation and a 320,000-gallon StormTrap^® detention system
• 24% more energy efficient and 30% more water efficient than the LEED baseline
• 75% of construction waste diverted
• 90% recycled steel used in construction
• Ceramic fritted glass
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures
• Energy-efficient LED lighting with occupancy sensors
• Solar Roof
• ORCA food digester that diverts up to 438 tons of food waste annually

Project Scope & Highlights | Features and Amenities

Purpose-Built to Compete Nationally

The Baird Center was expanded to provide the capacity and flexibility to host multiple large-scale conferences simultaneously. The design intent was clear: give Milwaukee a competitive edge in attracting high-profile events and conventions. The updated interior features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a fountain, and a large staircase to encourage people to linger and create spontaneous social interactions. Other highlights and upgrades include:

• Sustainable building materials
• 300,000 SF of exhibit hall space
• Rooftop ballroom + terraces with space for over 2,000 guests
• 24 new meeting rooms
• Water features + sensory rooms
• Executive kitchen + chef’s tasting room
• Upgraded industrial kitchens + nine new elevators
• Mother's rooms + gender-neutral bathrooms
• New administrative offices with open daylight-filled workspaces
• 400-450 additional indoor parking spaces + six new loading docks

Employee Workspace

The north administration office was also renovated to provide employees with a modern workspace with more daylight and an energized work cafe. Materials from the pre-function spaces were used within the office to connect the areas.

Awards + Industry Recognition

The Baird Center expansion has been honored with multiple awards for its excellence in design, sustainability, and community impact:

• LEED^® Gold Certification
• Top Project by The Daily Reporter
• 2025 Milwaukee Business Journal Real Estate Award – Project of the Year
• IIDA WI - First Place Hospitality

Why It Matters

The Baird Center expansion serves as a blueprint for the future of modern convention center and event venue construction. It showcases how smart planning, sustainable materials, and strong partnerships deliver on complex, large-scale builds for long-term success—building community, access, and opportunity with purpose.

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Baird Center Case Study

Structural Steel + Concrete | BY THE NUMBERS

C.D. Smith, in partnership as part of a joint venture with Gilbane Building Company, was awarded construction management services for the $456 million Baird Center expansion project. As a trade contractor, C.D. Smith self-performed structural steel and concrete work.

Get structural steel and concrete project stats from the Baird Center CASE STUDY on our self-perform page.

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Baird Center Project | BENEATH THE HARD HAT^® + IN THE NEWS

Baird Center Expansion Project Updates | April 2021 to Current BENEATH THE HARD HAT^® & IN THE NEWS

Baird Center's $456M Convention Center Expansion: Media news and project progress in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting and beyond. Catch up on the latest awards and news from the NEWS section of our Baird Center landing page.

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Your project is one-of-a-kind and deserves a focus on delivering a construction experience tailored to meet your unique needs and requirements. That's why our team, adaptable and solid, will give you a custom construction plan and approach that fits you, your budget, your timeline and your overall expectations.

Preview our ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXPERIENCE or explore more arts + entertainment construction projects using this link to the YOUR INDUSTRY: ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT CONSTRUCTION pages of our website.

About C.D. Smith

C.D. Smith Construction is an industry leader in safely providing the highest quality commercial construction services. Utilizing an integrated approach and self-performing trade services combined with technical expertise, our team serves as a solutions provider throughout all phases of a project, from planning through construction. With veteran leadership and a dedication to our employees and clients, we proudly place our name on projects of all sizes across the United States.

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C.D. SMITH CONSTRUCTION. BUILDING SPACES TO GATHER TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY WHERE CULTURE, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE ENJOYED AND SHARED BY THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART.