American Players Theatre

CIVIC & COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE

Spring Green, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Strang, Inc.
Jewell Associates Engineers, Inc.

Square Footage

12,700 (Touchstone Theatre)
10,100 (Alpha Production Facility)
28,550 (Up-The-Hill Amphitheatre)
1,760 (Pavilion)

AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE

Touchstone Theatre, Production Facility, Outdoor Amphitheatre, & Pavilion

Since our first project for American Players Theatre in 1992, Kraemer Brothers has been a large supporter of performing arts for this classical theatre. With an eye for extending the performing season and serving a wider audience, American Players Theatre selected Kraemer Brothers to construct their Touchstone Theatre and Alpha Production Facility. The 205-seat Touchstone Theatre features a combination of glu-lam beams, storefront glass windows, metal and cedar siding, and metal decking. This 12,700 square foot facility includes a large lobby, concessions area, dressing rooms, and an enclosed mechanical yard. The theatre also has an extensive catwalk system over the stage and seating area. The Alpha Production Facility features 10,100 square feet and houses the scene shop and additional rehearsal space.

The 22,400 square foot addition and 6,150 square foot renovation at the American Player’s Theatre Up-The-Hill Outdoor Amphitheatre were completed in plenty of time for the opening show of the 2017 season. American Player’s Theatre’s management expressed that the timely completion of this project vastly improved working condition for their staff, versatility for artists, and the audiences’ experience. The renovated theatre now offers better sight-lines, improved acoustics, and a myriad of new staging possibilities for directors and designers. Actors and stage crews now enjoy a renovated dressing room, a three-fold increase in scenery storage space, additional workspace, and a new building that doubles the rehearsal space. The renovated lobby is completely accessible with ADA approved surfaces and grades, along with enough rain shelters to accommodate a full house during inclement weather. Staging of materials and moving equipment was a challenge due to the large number of trees and the hilly terrain the theatre is built into. This new theatre project totaled 1,089 seats and ranks American Players Theatre as the second largest outdoor theatre devoted to the classics in the USA. Bravo, APT!

This complex pavilion structure was created for the American Players Theatre and features multiple elevations with sloped roof and trellises all combined into a one fluid look. Our goal was to create a structure that becomes an extension of nature. The location of the pavilion was challenging as it sits among many existing trees, none of which were cut down or damaged during the construction process. Stamped concrete and flagstone were used to match the lobby of the Hill Theatre. 

From the Client

Throughout the design process, Kraemer Brothers never hesitated to estimate the costs of design choices, even when the designs were not fully fleshed out. Their attention to detail and openness about their methods allowed us to have a collaborative approach and make good choices along the way. Like all our experiences with Kraemer Brothers, we are thrilled with both the process and the result. We look forward to working with them on future projects down the road.

Michael Broh
Production Manager | American Players Theatre

Tru by Hilton – Madison West

HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO

TRU BY HILTON - madison west

Madison, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Gary Brink & Associates, Inc.

Square Footage

46,000

TRU BY HILTON

Hotel

The new four-story, 46,000 square foot TRU by Hilton Hotel on Madison’s West side was completed under budget and ahead of schedule. The TRU Hotel is one of Hilton’s newest brands, designed to provide an energetic, unique hotel experience, with the young-at-heart in mind. It was one of the first TRU’s to open in the state of Wisconsin, and only the 20th in the United States. The hotel is partially minimalist-inspired. The hotel rooms are slightly smaller than average hotels and offer simple, yet classy finishes of tile, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and soft color tones. The public areas of the hotel are the focal point – the fitness center, breakfast area, outdoor patio and lounge offer more vibrant colors, cozy and comfortable private areas or collaborative spaces. The lounge area also offers games and showcases a one-of-a-kind, Madison-inspired wall mural. The customer that would get the most out of their experience at this hotel is a customer who would rather spend time in these public areas than in their hotel room. 

The site for the TRU Hotel posed logistical challenges from the start. With an apartment building being erected to the West, and city streets on three sides of the site, access, staging, material delivery and parking were complicated and required collaboration with the neighboring construction site. Kraemer Brothers evaluated multiple retaining wall and earth retention systems to determine the most cost-effective and the most reliable system. This was a critical part of the project for many reasons.

From the Client

Kraemer Brothers is a first-class construction company that goes above and beyond. The team members they assign to the projects are knowledgeable, collaborative, and understand what it takes to construct top notch hotels. Kraemer Brothers team executed on their deliverables all while maintaining the exceptional quality and attention to detail we have been accustomed on many previous projects.

Jeffrey Lenz
President | North Central Group

Baraboo Public Safety & Administration

CIVIC & COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

BARABOO PUBLIC SAFETY & ADMINISTRATION

Baraboo, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Zimmerman Architectural Studios

Square Footage

44,500

BARABOO PUBLIC SAFETY & ADMINISTRATION

Municipal Building

Kraemer Brother’s experience in building jails, prisons and public safety buildings became very relevant during the construction of the new Baraboo Public Safety and Administration Building on the banks of the Baraboo River. The building’s ground floor is the city’s police station, sally port, vehicle garage and evidence processing. The second story contains council chambers and administrative offices. The handsome exterior of the building features a brick and stone façade with composite metal panels and a glass curtain wall overlooking the river. Retaining walls had to be built along the river prior to construction. Something not often seen on a construction site was the appearance of Elephants from Baraboo’s Circus World Museum who joined other city dignitaries for the buildings’ ribbon-cutting!

Culver’s Headquarters

CORPORATE & OFFICE PORTFOLIO

CULVER'S HEADQUARTERS

Prairie du Sac, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Strang

Square Footage

36,000

CULVER'S HEADQUARTERS

Corporate Office

Culver’s new office and training center is located on a nine-acre site overlooking Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River. The new 36,000 square foot facility consists of a reception area, private offices, cubicle/work group areas, library/resource areas, conference rooms, a large meeting space for 150 people, training center, full commercial kitchen and storage, lunch and break rooms, physical fitness area with lockers and shower rooms, computer server area, delivery dock and document storage. The two-story prairie style building draws inspiration from the landscape with the classic horizontal lines of the prairie accentuated by the structure’s meandering forms.

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Fairway Independent Mortgage

CORPORATE & OFFICE PORTFOLIO

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Madison, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Excel Engineering, Inc.

Square Footage

96,000

FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE

Corporate Headquarters

Fairway Independent Mortgage’s new 96,000-square-foot office isn’t the typical office building. Features include innovative offices and conference rooms, fitness center, collaborative workspaces, break room with a pool table, outdoor patio, onsite massage therapy, and a pub with fireplace. The building is constructed from steel and glu-lam with a brick, glass, and panel exterior. On the interior, the contrast between the color tones and physical elements of stone, timber beams, and real mesquite hardwood floors provide a one-of-a kind modern, yet rustic look. The building was designed to allow for a future 55,000 square foot addition.

When it comes to green features, this building is supported by a geothermal field of 81 wells – sized for the current building and future addition. The team at Fairway went further in their commitment to sustainable energy by also directing the design team to create the largest solar array possible with the available roof area. The result is a system of photovoltaic panels covering 23,500 square feet that can generate 125 kWp. The photovoltaic system is connected to monitoring equipment, which allows the building occupants to see the electricity being generated on a real-time basis. The facility also has electric car charging stations.

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From the Client

We can’t tell you how excited we were that you took ownership of glulam beams and simply made it work. As architects, we knew the geometry was possible, but we were not at all equipped to answer the questions of exactly how to make it happen in the field. Many contractors we work with would have simply thrown up their hands and told us it couldn’t be done. We commend you on the ownership, craftsmanship, and attitude you bring to a project. The glulams and all the finish carpentry was of a custom home quality, executed on a commercial scale.

Johnathan Brinkley
Architect | Excel Engineering

Richland School District

EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

Richland Center, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

HSR Associates

Square Footage

9,700 Renovation (2016)
1,200 Addition (2016)
1,000 New Construction (2020)
62,000 Maintenance (2022)

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

Renovations, Additions, New Construction & Maintenance Repairs

Dating back to our first education project for the district in 1958, Lincoln Elementary, Kraemer Brothers has completed numerous new-builds, additions, renovations, and maintenance repairs for the Richland School District. Our $7.4 million building program for the Richland School District began in 2016 with several roofing projects while most of the construction occurred in the summer of 2017. Improvements included safe and secure entrances at all six district locations, along with small additions at the Doudna and Jefferson Elementary Schools. Also part of this project, the High School, Intermediate School, Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and the District Office all received remodels and renovations. Another important part of the project were the significant upgrades to the High School’s outdoor athletic complex including a re-surfaced track, new sod grass on the field and improvements to the site. All work was scheduled to keep classrooms open and undisturbed during summer school, with the overall project completed before the start of the 2017-2018 school year.

In 2020 Kraemer Brothers returned to the school district to construct a new concession building near the softball field as well as two new dugouts for their softball field. Now in 2022, Kraemer Brothers continues our 60+ year relationship with the district working on roofing and masonry projects at the high school and intermediate school.

Kalahari Resort

HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO

KALAHARI RESORT

Poconos, PA

Overview

ARCHITECT

Architectural Design Consultants, Inc.

Square Footage

735,000 (Phase I); 580,000 (Phase II)

KALAHARI RESORT

Hotel, Waterpark, & Convention Center

Completed in March 2017, the entire 1,365,000 square-foot-project is now America’s largest indoor waterpark resort and was featured on ABC News© “Good Morning America” during the grand opening. Kraemer Brothers began construction of Phase II of the Kalahari Poconos Resort in the spring of 2015, while simultaneously working to complete Phase I. This monumental 580,000 square foot project included a nine-story hotel addition, a two-story restaurant, and an expansion of the hugely popular waterpark that doubled its size. Our hotel addition added 520 rooms to the complex, along with a new fitness center, family entertainment center and a spacious market and retail area. 

In total, Phases I and II were completed over four years and required four on-site superintendents, with project managers and key craftworkers traveling to Pennsylvania for frequent site visits. The Phase I hotel, waterpark and convention center remained fully operational during all of the Phase II construction. The completion brought to a close the largest project in Kraemer Brothers history to date. That’s quite a splash!

Hampton Inn & Suites

HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO

Hampton inn & suites - LAKE DELTON

Lake Delton, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Architectural Design Consultants, Inc.

Square Footage

61,000

HAMPTON INN & SUITES - LAKE DELTON

Hotel

The new 61,000 square foot Hampton Inn & Suites in Lake Delton is designed for business travelers as well as the many tourists and families who enjoy nearby waterparks and other recreational amenities in the popular Wisconsin Dells area. KS Hospitality selected Kraemer Brothers to build this four-story hotel that includes over 100 guest rooms, a business center, fitness center, private breakfast area, patio, and heated indoor pool. At the start of the project our construction team battled significant July rainfall totals and extensive sitework due to unsuitable soils. Despite the challenges, excellent teamwork with the design team, subcontractors and suppliers allowed KS Hospitality to open their new hotel one week ahead of schedule and capture the important summer tourist season.

From the Client

Throughout the project, I was most impressed with Kraemer Brothers’ high level of professionalism when it came to being honest, competent, and on time. Kraemer Brothers was very organized and strictly adhered to the schedule, which allowed us to open for business one week early. This was our first project with Kraemer Brothers, and we look forward to opportunities to work with them again in the future.

Kenneth Keating
President | KS Hospitality, Inc.

AC by Marriott

HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO

AC BY MARRIOTT - MADISON

Madison, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Gary Brink & Associates, Inc.

Square Footage

127,000

AC BY MARRIOTT - MADISON

Hotel & Retail

The new 10-story AC Hotel by Marriott in downtown Madison features 164 guest rooms and two levels of underground parking. An elegant restaurant, bar, lounge, outdoor patio, and fitness center occupy the top two floors, providing stunning views of Lake Monona, Lake Mendota, the State Capitol, and the vibrant East Washington Avenue. The exterior features stone veneer and brick, a glass curtain wall system and metal panels, and a green roof. The interior decor includes many luxurious finishes, including a two-story “diamond” wall in the main lobby. Custom-made in the Czech Republic, it features a dynamic display of 1,248 LED luminaries that can be seen from the interior and exterior of the building. The restaurant that occupies the top two floors, Eno Vino Downtown, is open to the public and features contemporary small-plates from a farm-to-table menu and an extensive wine selection. These are just some of the features that make the new AC Hotel a spectacular showplace in the heart of our capital city.

Throughout construction this tight site footprint in the busy downtown area created logistics, staging, and scheduling challenges. With nowhere to stage materials, a just-in-time delivery schedule was utilized which required daily coordination between our crews, suppliers, and subcontractors. The tight urban site required the building to be constructed around a tower crane, which was then later dismantled and removed before putting the roof on the building.

From the Client

This hotel is a new brand for Marriott and required many changes as the brand design evolved and Kraemer Brothers rose to this challenge. The project was a marquee project for us as a company and needed the right construction partner to pull it off and Kraemer Brothers was indeed the right partner for the job.

Jeffrey Lenz
President | North Central Group

Double Cut Steak House & Sortino’s Italian Kitchen

RETAIL PORTFOLIO

DOUBLE CUT STEAK HOUSE & SORTINO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN

Pocono, PA

Overview

ARCHITECT

Architectural Design Consultants, Inc.

Square Footage

21,620

DOUBLE CUT STEAK HOUSE & SORTINO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN

Restaurant Addition

Part of the enormous Kalahari Resorts project in Pocono, PA included a pair of restaurants for conventioneers, resorts guests and public to use. Located between the convention center and hotel, these two fine-dining restaurants boast a luxurious feel. The Double Cut Steak House includes two dining areas, two lounges, wrap-around bar, private dining room, and a wine cellar and tasting room. Serving grilled steaks, chops, and seafood, this restaurant is located on the first floor and seats 400 guests. A combination of wood, stone, glass, and intricate architectural details cover the interior broadcasting rich colors and dark accents. Sortino’s Italian Kitchen is located on the second story of the addition and features a bar, spacious lounge, one large main dining area, and two private dining areas. The ceiling of Sortino’s mocks the decorative features you would find in traditional Italian cruising while ceramic tile on the walls provide an elegant dining atmosphere. Two large kitchens ensure adequate coverage for over 350 meals. The exterior of the building includes ledgestone and fieldstone masonry, complemented by traditional clay brick and EIFS siding, matching the existing building seamlessly.

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