Strengthening Our Foundation
In Wisconsin’s largest city, and on the western shores of Lake Michigan resides the PRA Headquarters. Home of Cream City Bricks, “The Calatrava,” and Frank Lloyd Wright treasures, we embrace the history and growing spirit of our urban city.
Our Milwaukee roots date back to 1890 when the City of Milwaukee was coined the city that “Feeds and Supplies the World” and the “Beer Capitol of the World” as it was the center of agriculture, manufacturing, and brewing. Today, Milwaukee has a rich architectural heritage, an expanding service industry, and an unparalleled education system, and is now coined as “The Great City on a Great Lake,” “The City of Festivals,” or for those of us at our flagship office, simply “home.”
As the city transformed and families flocked to the city at the turn of the 20th century, PRA’s founders started a new firm to address the demand for quality residential and school design. From Fox Point to Big Bend Wisconsin, there are houses and schools still standing today designed by our forefathers. As we grew and the landscape changed, we shifted away from single-family homes to become a full-service Milwaukee Architect more fully focused on the design for K-12 Education and Healthcare markets. Today our Milwaukee Design Office caters to clients across the country in many industry sectors, including corporate, religious, senior living, hospitality, education, healthcare, multifamily residential, and civic and community clients. From designing and constructing ground-up high schools and helping churches fundraise for renovations, to collaborating with municipalities to rethink fire stations and creating warm and welcoming living environments for retirees, we tailor our services to fit the diverse needs of each client.
From Roots to Branches
Our office is now in our sixth Milwaukee location, located in the vibrant Harbor View Neighborhood nestled between Walker’s Point and the Historic Third Ward. PRA remains an active participant in the Milwaukee Architectural community, surrounded by an active arts and creative scene, bustling restaurants, historic buildings, and a short walk from Lake Michigan and the Summerfest Grounds, we embrace the amazing opportunities the City of Milwaukee has to offer us.
From roots to branches, Milwaukee is our home because:
- Rich Architectural History – Milwaukee’s architectural landscape is a mixture of historically preserved landmarks, revitalized industrial buildings, and striking modern high-rises that line the lakefront. This blend of structures serves as a well of inspiration for PRA’s designers. The City of Milwaukee is brimming with opportunities to make a last impact and add to the diverse structural fabric of our home.
- Thriving and Growing – For over 85 years, PRA has been deeply rooted in Milwaukee, witnessing urban revival and transformation into the vibrant city it is today. Since 2010, there has been a remarkable $4.1 billion investment in both public and private projects fueling development. We are excited to note this trend shows no signs of slowing down. As businesses and individuals move to the city, it opens new possibilities for us all to join in supporting, and perhaps shaping, continued growth. And maybe, turning dreams into a new reality. The urban transformation sets the stage for dynamic collaboration, where we help our clients take advantage of the endless opportunities this city has to offer.
As the skyline of our home city changes, so do we – we adopt new ideas, develop innovations, and grow our firm. Led by PRA’s Managing Partner Scott Kramer we are all driven by the joy of client collaborations and design excellence. We work to create architecture with a lasting positive impact while also bettering the communities in which we build. As you rethink the future of your facilities, whether in Milwaukee, on either coast, or between the borders, we can help bring your vision to life. Let’s start today.
