Rockford Public Library
Rockford, Il
Projects
Rockford Public Library
The main branch of the Rockford Public Library has been located along the banks of the Rock River since 1902. Prior to the library’s construction the property was used as a gasification site. In order to remediate the site, the existing 88,000 SF structure needed to be removed, which entailed an extensive analysis of current and future needs as well as possible temporary and new locations for the main library.
Hotel Kaskaskia
The Hotel Kaskaskia is an iconic Colonial Revival style brick building prominently situated in downtown LaSalle, Illinois. Designed by Chicago architects Marshall & Fox, whose portfolio includes Chicago icons such as the Drake Hotel and the Blackstone Hotel, the 1915 building is an excellent example of an elegant resort hotel with a grand scale and detailed ornamentation. Heavy gilding, decorative plaster, and an extensive use of marble convey beauty and hospitality hand-in hand.
Keefer Hotel
The historic Keefer Hotel was a social center for Hillsdale and many public and private functions were held there after its construction in 1864. Several well-known guests graced the halls of the hotel including Annie Oakley, John Ringling, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody. To date, the building serves as one of the most historically intact buildings Studio GWA has had the pleasure to work on.
Grant Hotel
The Grant Building is a ten-story historic structure located in downtown Atlanta. Built in 1898, the building was designed for office use and boasts an elaborate, detailed façade that resembles the Reliance building in downtown Chicago.
Sterling Riverfront
The Lawrence Brothers and Stanley-National complexes are former manufacturing buildings that have shaped the southern gateway to Sterling, Illinois for over 100 years. The success of each enterprise was manifested in the sheer size of their buildings; put together, the complexes have over 688,000 square feet of space.
Kennay Farms Distilling
Located on the iconic Lincoln Highway in downtown Rochelle, Illinois, Kennay Farms Distilling is an 8,500 square foot distillery and event facility that makes the most out of former theater space.
Hart Interim Library
The Rockford Public Library embarked on a challenging project: Repurpose a former department store turned detention center into an interim library while their main library site is being remediated of contaminated soil and readied for new construction.
Northern Illinois Hospice
Northern Illinois Hospice has delivered compassionate end-of-life care in the Rockford, Illinois region for over 40 years. The organization’s continued growth in services required an expanded facility to accommodate its administrative, clinical, and therapeutic services.
Company 251
Company 251 is a 20,000 square foot event space imbued with industrial charm and modern luxury. Formerly the home of the International Harvester Manufacturing Company, this 1908 industrial building in Aurora’s Middle Avenue Historic District retains a raw and historic character with ghost lines of the original building’s use.
The Standard
Originally built in 1916, 214 East State Street is Rockford’s first non-combustible structure and hosts impressive concrete structural columns that add to the grandeur of the space.
Madison Street Corridor
The Madison Street corridor is a key multimodal gateway into downtown Rockford with a variety of coexisting land uses. Small industries, recreational clubs, and landmark buildings like the Prairie Street Brewhouse support entrepreneurship, employment, and prosperity while providing a sense of cultural identity for residents and visitors alike.
Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza
Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza gained popularity with their mobile brick pizza oven, stationing it outside of breweries and within the Rockford City Market.
Metropolitan Hall Lofts
The history of Metropolitan Hall is intertwined with the history of Rockford. Built in 1856, this pre-Civil War building was the largest entertainment venue of its time and was host to a variety of speakers including Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville.
Prairie Street Brewhouse
Located on the east bank of the Rock River, the Prairie Street Brewhouse has become synonymous with the revitalization of downtown Rockford. Originally the home of the Peacock Brewery, this landmark building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the largest historic preservation projects in the region.
Wahl Clipper Corporate Headquarters
Wahl Clipper Corporation is a world leader in professional and home grooming devices. Founded in Sterling, Illinois over one hundred years ago, the company wanted to develop a new corporate headquarters building that could better respond to an increasing global demand for its products.
Nicholas Conservatory
The Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is situated along the banks of the Rock River in Sinnissippi Gardens. The Conservatory is the third largest in Illinois, and its highest point stands 52 feet tall to accommodate the unique exotic plants and trees that it houses year-long. It acts as a beacon and landmark along the river, providing a venue for several events throughout the year.
Garrison School Lofts
Located in Rockford’s historic Signal Hill neighborhood, the Garrison School Lofts & Townhomes are a shining example of how historic preservation and new construction can be stitched together within a traditional neighborhood fabric.