Kinnickinnic Storefronts (2212-2214 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) -- Patricia Wyzbinski, owner of Management Cornerstones, researched mixed-use buildings located in neighborhoods on the verge of becoming successful in lieu of moving into a downtown multi-tenant office building. Wyzbinski purchased the 2212-2214 S. Kinnickinnic building to renovate it into a unique storefront business that would contribute to the revitalization of the commercial district and the greater neighborhood. The design goal for the 2212 property was to renovate the existing building to blend with the surrounding urban context while maintaining the functionality of a mixed-use storefront building. The existing storefront was opened up to incorporate a welcoming retail feel to the office space. Large windows and a modified entry way replaced the boarded up facade to allow natural light to spill into the first floor office space and a light well to the renovated basement level. The refurbished bay window in the residential apartment and bold color scheme on the entire facade highlights the historic character of the building.

CATEGORY: OLD DOG, NEW TRICKS
Brocach Irish Pub (1850 N. Water St.) -- Restoration and expansion of 100-year-old blighted Cream City Brick building. Expanded restaurant and tavern to second floor, new rooftop viewing terrace returns this gem as a vital, attractive addition to development in the lower east side.

840-844 North Plankinton -- With 20 practicing attorneys, Boyle Fredrickson is Wisconsin's largest intellectual property law firm. In 2007, the firm's shareholders successfully completed an extensive real estate project consisting of the purchase and renovation of a Downtown Milwaukee building that will serve as the law firm's headquarters for many years to come. The firm purchased a turn-of-the-century cream city brick building at 840 N. Plankinton Ave., along the west bank of the Milwaukee River. The interior was redesigned to reflect a contemporary urban flavor with an updated lighting scheme, exposed joists and exposed structural steel. Several cuts were to be made in the ceiling to make way for new skylights. And along the back exterior of the building, a cable railing deck was added to match similar interior design elements.

Capitol Crossing/Lad Lake School (225 W. Capitol Dr.) -- Complete restoration of a 1920s building. New windows added, tuck pointing, etc. Redevelopment of underutilized shuttered, industrial, office, warehouse property (Crane Corporation building) using ingenuity in adaptive reuse to a school with all the accoutrements.

Maxie's Southern Comfort (6732 W. Fairview Ave.) -- Maxie's owners took an old building that had formerly been the home of a well-loved deli, and turned it into an upscale Cajun eatery. Modern yet comfortable, it really dressed up an old brick building in need of a facelift, completely gutting the first floor, and turning the second floor apartment into more eating space. The project provided a much-needed facelift to the neighborhood, as well as adding a fine dining establishment to this area of Milwaukee.

CATEGORY: PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Convent Hill (455 E. Ogden Ave.) -- Convent Hill is a new Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee 10-story high-rise located at the corner of Milwaukee and Ogden in Downtown Milwaukee. This building replaces an eight story high-rise building constructed in 1961. The new building provides 120 safe, convenient, and efficient apartments for low-income elderly residents. The main concerns during the planning were the needs of the residents, particularly the elderly, and the needs of the neighborhood. Convent Hill was designed to meet not only all applicable codes as they relate to persons with disabilities, but their changing needs as well. Features included in the design are extra-wide doorways, clearances on the side of toilets for transfers, controls for equipment at 48" above the floor, electrical outlets at 27" above the floor, low-pile carpeting, accessible fixtures in the bathrooms and kitchens, and higher light intensities in the common areas. These features represent a commitment to universal design. The building has many sustainable features - high efficiency florescent light fixtures, carpeting with a high level of recycled material, stained concrete floors to reduce maintenance, and heat pumps that provide heating or cooling to individual apartments. Also included is recycled rubber flooring, and a building structure comprised primarily with regionally manufactured steel. A green roof will be installed in the near future. There are many amenities included - fitness center, beauty salon, craft room, computer technology center, etc.

Walgreens (3333 S. 27th St. and National Avenue) -- Milwaukee's first victory in working with Walgreen's to alter its design of its stores to fit within the urban setting.

161 First (161 S. 1st St.) -- 161 First is a four-story, mixed-use office building in the Walker's Point neighborhood of Milwaukee. This contemporary building creates a humane office environment through abundant natural light, operable windows, and outdoor spaces for its inhabitants to enjoy. The building's proportions and massing as well as its exposed structural members take their cues from the surrounding historic structures within the neighborhood. 161 First has quickly become a Walker's Point icon with its playful façade and a common yet expressive palette of materials.

CATEGORY: NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Let's Party (5444 W. Fond du Lac Ave.) -- A $2.3 million expansion and renovation of a building that houses a party store, creating 20 additional jobs and establishing one of the most elaborate African-American-owned and operated banquet halls in Milwaukee.

Mortara Instruments (7865 N. 86th St.) -- A sensitive expansion of this existing business incorporated natural light and surrounding woods.

General Mitchell Midwest Concourses (5300 S. Howell Ave.) -- The Concourse C project expands the terminal from 10 aircraft parking positions and eight gates to 16 parking positions and 16 gates. The project was completed in two phases. First to be completed was the "stem" portion, which increased capacity by 31,000 sq. ft. for the security checkpoint and provided an additional security screening lane, large airline gate seating areas, an atrium with increased natural light and remodeled dining and retail areas. The second phase, called the "hammerhead" because of its placement at the end of the "stem" and perpendicular orientation, added eight more gates. Design expresses ideas of transparency, motion and light. Natural daylight is introduced through a series of clerestories along the concourse.

CATEGORY: URBAN ODDITIES & AMENITIES
Moderne Sales Center (Corner of 4th and McKinley) -- This innovative project is a unique and artistic re-use of industrial shipping containers that have been converted to a sales center for a new 30-story high-rise building on the Park East Corridor. Highly functional, this temporary urban art piece, designed as a catalyst for development in the Park East, makes a bold and creative statement about this area's industrial past and its future urbanization.

CREAM OF THE CREAM CITY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS
Scranton Stockdale-built House (2865 N. Hackett Ave.)
-- Built in 1921, this home had its front porch restored and aluminum siding removed to reveal historic exterior.

St. Hedwig Church (1704 N. Humboldt Ave.) -- Heritage preservation work and restoration of copper roof brings St. Hedwig church back to its visual glory as the spiritual heart of the Brady Street neighborhood since its completion in 1886. Founded by a group of determined Polish immigrants, St. Hedwig Church is now part of Three Holy Women Parish that also incorporates Holy Rosary Church (Irish origins) and St. Rita's Church (Italian origins). The parish reflects the melting pot that is the Brady Street area.

Button Block Column Restoration (500 N. Water St.) -- Restoration and replacement of the corner column at the Button Block Building included removal of the existing granite column, sandstone base and limestone pier down to expose the existing timber piles. These piles were then cut down to solid material and a new concrete pile cap and pier were constructed. Additional repairs were done to rotted timber piles underneath the exterior load bearing walls.

Pritzlaff Hardware Building (1033 N. Old World 3rd St.) -- The Pritzlaff Hardware Company Building is a fine example of the Italianate style and is part of a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places as well as having local historic designation. The building had suffered from the kind of change that afflicts so many older commercial buildings. The entire exterior of this building was restored and a new, appropriate storefront was added.

James Brown Double House (1122 N. Astor St.) -- This 156-year-old structure, one of the earliest houses built in the Yankee Hill neighborhood, is a rugged survivor that has adapted with the times The entire home was restored and now houses the offices of the Brico Fund, LLC.