GWA Slider Logo

visionary design, quality, and sustainability in an easy, collaborative process.

GWA Dots

Studio GWA sees architecture and design as community art that has the remarkable ability to connect people to one another and the world around them. Imaginative thinkers, bold risk-takers, and problem-solving mavens, Studio GWA relishes opportunities to partner with clients to transform vision into reality.

Our Services

Studio GWA is known for its expertise in historical preservation and adaptive re-use, and we bring that same skill and enthusiasm to all types of projects across commercial, retail, mixed-use, and multi-family residential spaces. Our dynamic and forward-thinking team of urban planning, architecture, interior design, and development professionals support all phases of projects from master planning through construction.

Historic preservation and design - Prairie Street Brewhouse deck

architecture

Whether your vision involves new construction or enlivening an existing structure, our team can bring it to life.

Madison Street Corridor Urban Planning in Rockford, IL

historic tax credit consulting

Our expertise in federal and state historic tax credits makes projects both historically appropriate and financially feasible.

Historic preservation and design - Prairie Street Brewhouse deck

urban planning

Effective plans start with understanding how people interact with individual buildings, blocks and corridors.

Madison Street Corridor Urban Planning in Rockford, IL

interior design

What’s on the inside matters, too. Thoughtful interior elements highlight architectural features and make spaces more functional and beautiful.

Featured Projects

Each project is more than a building – it is a space brought to life by the people. We’re proud that our portfolio represents some of the most iconic regional landmarks and meaningful projects for organizations and communities throughout the Midwest.

Dawn Theater

Adaptive Reuse | Interior Design

The Dawn Theater has been successfully redeveloped into a new yet familiar use to the building: An event venue.  Paying homage to historic craftsmanship in a way that complements the building’s new use is something we pride ourselves in doing.  From community concerts to weddings, the Dawn has been reactivated and its original grandeur is on display, inside and out.

Haute Bridal Official

Architecture | Interior Design

With specialized displays for high-end gowns, a runway space for showings, and a spa & salon beauty room, the transformation of this vacant storefront into a couture boutique has helped bring life to the continued development of the downtown Beloit region.

Lock and Mule

Adaptive Reuse

The downtown historic district in Lockport, Illinois is home to a new craft brewery and restaurant: Lock and Mule. Developed by CL Real and Estate and operated by Tangled Roots Brewing, Lock and Mule pays tribute to Lockport’s role as the headquarters of the I&M Canal while honoring the history of the building’s original use as a Ford automobile showroom and garage.

Featured Projects

Each project is more than a building – it is a space brought to life by the people. We’re proud that our portfolio represents some of the most iconic regional landmarks and meaningful projects for organizations and communities around the nation.

Dawn Theater

Adaptive Reuse | Interior Design

The Dawn Theater has been successfully redeveloped into a new yet familiar use to the building: An event venue.  Paying homage to historic craftsmanship in a way that complements the building’s new use is something we pride ourselves in doing.  From community concerts to weddings, the Dawn has been reactivated and its original grandeur is on display, inside and out.

Haute Bridal Official

Architecture | Interior Design

With specialized displays for high-end gowns, a runway space for showings, and a spa & salon beauty room, the transformation of this vacant storefront into a couture boutique has helped bring life to the continued development of the downtown Beloit region.

Lock and Mule

Adaptive reuse

The downtown historic district in Lockport, Illinois is home to a new craft brewery and restaurant: Lock and Mule. Developed by CL Real and Estate and operated by Tangled Roots Brewing, Lock and Mule pays tribute to Lockport’s role as the headquarters of the I&M Canal while honoring the history of the building’s original use as a Ford automobile showroom and garage.

Our Services

Studio GWA is known for its expertise in historic preservation and adaptive re-use, and we bring that same skill and enthusiasm to all types of projects across commercial, retail, mixed-use, and multi-family residential spaces. Our dynamic and forward-thinking team of urban planning, architecture, interior design, and development professionals support all phases of projects from master planning through construction.

Historic preservation - Prairie Street Brewhouse interior

architecture

Whether your vision involves new construction or enlivening an existing structure, our team can bring it to life.

Madison Street Corridor Urban Planning in Rockford, IL

historic tax credit consulting

Our expertise in federal and state historic tax credits makes projects both historically appropriate and financially feasible.

Historic preservation - Prairie Street Brewhouse interior

urban planning

Effective plans start with understanding how people interact with individual buildings, blocks and corridors.

Madison Street Corridor Urban Planning in Rockford, IL

interior design

What’s on the inside matters, too.  Thoughtful interior elements highlight architectural features and make spaces more functional and beautiful.

news and insights

GWA Dots

The Old Courthouse Center

a community gem on the square goes from underutilized to active, adaptable space Since 1857, The Old Courthouse Center has been the centerpiece of the town square in Woodstock, Illinois….

Image of city staff and consultant staff walking the study area in Downtown Danville.
Downtown Danville Revitalization Plan

a roadmap to support ongoing downtown revitalization and recovery efforts Like many communities, the City of Danville, Illinois experienced severe economic setbacks during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Downtown…

stay in touch

GWA Dots

Stay up to date on all the latest news from Studio GWA.