Acuity Insurance expansion will have familiar appearance
An expansion project that will enlarge the headquarters of Acuity Insurance in Sheboygan to more than 400,000 square feet exemplifies the transformation of an existing structure into a new facility. It also will enable a major employer to remain in its community as the firm continues to grow.
Acuity, a regional property and casualty insurer, operates in 11 Midwestern states. With more than $800 million in assets, Acuity was named one of the nation’s "Top 100 Companies to Work For" by Fortune magazine.
The building expansion will more than double the size of Acuity’s corporate headquarters, which are located in a building along Interstate 43.
The goals for the expansion are to retain the functional and design strengths of the existing structure while crafting an addition that will meet Acuity’s staffing and business needs through the next decade.
"We are building a mirror image of our current building, plus an additional building that will connect the two main structures," said Ben Salzmann, president and chief executive officer of Acuity. "On the one hand, the ultimate appearance of the site will be incredibly different, simply due to the sheer scope of the project and size of the final structure. But on the other hand, our staff, agents, policyholders and visitors will easily identify the continuation of important architectural features that have always made our headquarters unique."
Ground is expected to be broken in March, and construction is expected to be completed by August 2004, in time to be showcased to agents who will be visiting Sheboygan for the PGA Tournament at Whistling Straits, company spokesman Bret Blizzard said.
The project is estimated to cost $45 million.
One of the signature features of Acuity’s current headquarters that will be retained in the new construction is the galleria, a 50-foot-high, covered connecting point between two buildings. The new building will include a similar galleria and a third galleria – 80 feet tall – that will connect the current and future buildings. The open interior will be fully visible to travelers. New landscaping, including several additional ponds, also will be added.
Eppstein Uhen Architects and M.A. Mortenson Co. will be designing and building the structure, respectively.
Acuity’s current headquarters was built in 1984 and was designed to accommodate growth over 10 years. Future growth in staffing levels was a key force behind the decision to expand.
Acuity officials and some local legislators view the expansion as an example of Acuity’s commitment to the greater Sheboygan area.
"Acuity has a longstanding presence and a strong investment in both the Sheboygan community and the State of Wisconsin," said state Sen. Joe Liebham, who represents Wisconsin’s 9th District. "I’m pleased that Acuity has chosen to continue that investment with this project, which allows one of the largest employers in the area to grow even more."
Feb. 7, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
