Wisconsin Center District and Gilbane | Smith Celebrate Topping Off Milestone on the expanded Baird Center

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – May 19, 2023 – Wisconsin Center District and Gilbane | Smith recently gathered with state and local leaders to celebrate the topping-off milestone for the expanded Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee. This achievement marks the completion of the steel structure of the expansion.

“This milestone really sets us up for the next several months to complete construction so that we’re on time and budget,” said Marty Brooks, Wisconsin Center District President and CEO. “I want to thank our construction partners, Gilbane and Smith, who have worked around the clock to ensure the project is on time and budget.”

“Our project team and the incredible craftworkers have put in significant hard work and effort to get the building to this topping-off milestone,” said Alicia Dupies, Gilbane Building Company Vice President and Milwaukee Business Leader. “The men and women building this complex project are truly building more than a building. This expansion will result in a catalytic change to how our city can host conventions, which will have a ripple effect on our economy. We are proud to support Wisconsin Center District in this investment in the city of Milwaukee.”

Upon completion, this monumental expansion project will nearly double the convention center’s size, bringing the expo hall to 300,000 SF, adding 24 new meeting rooms, six additional loading docks, and a rooftop ballroom with spectacular outdoor terraces. In addition to the expansion, the project includes a complete renovation of the existing convention center.

The expansion project includes a comprehensive economic inclusion plan by committing to 25 percent minority-owned businesses, five percent women-owned businesses, and one percent disabled veteran-owned businesses. The project has also committed to a residents-preferred program of 40 percent, which means that at least $40 million of the $100 million in anticipated construction wages will be earned by residents of the City of Milwaukee. Upon opening in May 2024, the expanded Wisconsin Center is projected to support 2,300 full-time equivalent jobs throughout the state of Wisconsin.

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane is a global integrated construction and facility management services firm with strong roots in Southeast Wisconsin over the past 40+ years. Gilbane’s downtown Milwaukee office has been steadily growing in recent years. Gilbane has assembled an impressive portfolio of work, while staying true to our commitment of community partnerships, building capacity and safety excellence. Our extensive experience translates into a builder our clients can trust with valuable lessons learned and best practices on a variety building types including corporate, high-rise developments, industrial, food and beverage, education, hospitality and municipal, to name a few. Visit www.gilbaneco.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.