J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. was not only the contractor on the $51 million Milwaukee Fortress redevelopment project, it was also the building’s first commercial tenant.
Last year, the Janesville-based company moved its regional offices from Brookfield to the historic building at 104 E. Pleasant St. Shannon Metoxen, incoming vice president of JP Cullen’s Milwaukee division, said location was a big factor in choosing to move.
“One of the big things that we really wanted to do when we were looking for places to move was we felt like we needed to be in the downtown vicinity and really start to become known as a Milwaukee contractor,” Metoxen said.
Plus, at roughly 12,000 square feet, the new office more than doubles the size J.P. Cullen’s former space.
The office is filled with elements of the historic building, including the original hardwood floors and glass window panes, three fireplaces, re-upholstered original doors and an old vault that sits behind the front desk. The contractor even kept components of the old elevator system and put them on display throughout the office.
The new office also comes with modern and trendy elements, such as a wall made of white board material and an expansive break room complete with restaurant booth-style seating and a pool table.
The six-story Fortress building also includes 132 apartments and additional ground-level commercial space.
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- Credit: Lila Aryan
Owner/developer: The Alexander Co.
Architect: The Alexander Co.
Contractor: JP Cullen
Costs: Undisclosed
Year Completed: 2018
