Hanson Dodge to build Center for Creative Business
Third Ward company poised for technology rebound
By Steve Jagler, of SBT
Tim Dodge believes many American companies are finally getting closer to reinvesting in things like their technology, their market research and their branding. "You’d have to come to that conclusion, wouldn’t you?" Dodge says. "Call it pent-up demand, call it people just getting back to doing business again."
Dodge is president of Hanson Dodge Inc., which bills itself as the Midwest’s leading strategic design and marketing firm, specializing in branding, communication and e-business.
"Our industry has had a tough couple of years. We had, on the average, double-digit growth until the year 2000," Dodge says. "The Internet designing business has contracted. But business is growing again. Our business revenues are up significantly over last year – year-to-date, about 40%."
That rebound and a belief that the worst is behind them have prompted Dodge and his partner, executive creative director Ken Hanson, to build the Center for Creative Business in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
The center will be located at 318 N. Water St., across the street from Hanson Dodge’s current location.
By the end of the year, the renovated building will become the home to Hanson Dodge and its partners in the real estate venture, Purple Onion Entertainment and Whole Hog Productions.
The principles of the three companies recently purchased the building, which is the former home of the Water Street Antique Market, for $2 million from Garber Properties Inc.
"Our hope is that it will create more opportunity for collaboration and integration (with the other businesses in the building)," Dodge says. "Part of our goal is for this building to become kind of a community space to our employees and the neighborhood."
Hanson Dodge will occupy about 18,000 square feet on the second and third floors of the four-story building.
The ground floor will be redeveloped for about 11,000 square feet of service retail space, Dodge says.
"We’re in discussions with several people for the retail. The neighborhood probably doesn’t need another bar. The Third Ward needs more retail, more services," Dodge says.
The renovation is being designed by a neighbor in the Third Ward, Eppstein Uhen Architects. New Berlin-based Beyer Construction is the general contractor for the project.
A new entrance, featuring a patio area, will be constructed for the office tenants where the building faces Buffalo Street. The retail space will face Water Street. The building has parking for 60 vehicles.
"It will give us room to expand. It will allow us to improve our spaces for customers," Dodge says. "Our business has evolved as customer needs have changed over time. The way we work is so different than how we worked 15 years ago. Our teams are shifting and changing. So, it’s about getting more flexible space."
Indeed, the Center for Creative Business will be unique. The renovations will include high-bandwidth Internet connections, a digital photography studio, large banners on the side of the building and showers to accommodate many of Hanson Dodge’s 55 employees who are avid bicyclists.
Ultimately, Hanson Dodge plans to reinvest in its own equipment and create a network hub center for its employees’ wireless computers.
"I’m hoping we can do the whole thing wireless," Dodge says.
Hanson Dodge continues to have a strong cast of clients, building brand images for the likes of Harley-Davidson, Trek Bicycles, Hush Puppies, Credit Suisse Asset Management, Baxter, HoMedics, Rowenta, Ariens and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Dodge says his firm considered moving elsewhere in southeastern Wisconsin, but as one of the original tenants of the reborn Third Ward, decided instead to simply move across the street.
"We just did not want to leave this neighborhood," Dodge says. "Our customers enjoy it. It’s just got a good vibe."
June 27, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
