HGA Happenings: June 2024

Harley-Davidson and its Foundation unveiled Davidson Park on June 24, a vibrant new community park at its Juneau Avenue campus in Milwaukee, designed by Heatherwick Studio in collaboration with HGA. The 4-acre park, transformed from a parking lot, aims to connect Harley-Davidson with Milwaukee, offering a lush green space for the Near West Side community. The centerpiece of the park is “The Hub,” a sunken multi-use events space featuring an amphitheater with tiered seating nestled among native plants and trees. “Main Street,” the park’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, is envisioned for farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and food trucks, and it links all major areas of the park, including The Hub, a playground, a picnic knoll, a serenity garden, viewing lawns, and community lawns. With a commitment to sustainability, the park is one of the first green projects pursuing SITES certification, a rating system for sustainable land design and development. in the state of Wisconsin. 

“Davidson Park is a testament to the power of collaboration and listening,” said Peter Balistrieri, principal and market sector leader with HGA. “This is truly a park for the community, by the community.” Read the full story here.

The Jackson Hole History Museum is now open. HGA enjoyed taking part in the grand opening celebration, complete with live music and a “Shivaree Welcome,” a 19th-century tradition welcoming newlyweds or new community members. Located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming within a prominent historic downtown block revered for its deep history, public green space, and thriving local businesses, the new design strikes a delicate balance between contextual and contemporary design, integrating both the Western character and historic relevance of downtown Jackson. The campus includes a new museum with exhibitions, visitor services, classroom, archives, administrative, and support spaces; two historic cabins; and 2,500 square feet of outdoor space. HGA served as the architect, interior designer, landscape architect, and MEP engineer, partnering with local architect, Prospect Studio. Learn more about the new, modern museum reflecting Jackson Hole’s present and future here.

Rooted MKE is a BIPOC children’s bookstore, makerspace, and academic support center in Milwaukee providing BIPOC youth a reflection of themselves through a curated selection of titles. HGA’s Community Action team worked with Rooted MKE’s founder, Ashley Valentine in creating a modular bookstore, complete with shelving, displays, and seating, to bring the bookstore experience into the community. Unveiled during Milwaukee’s Juneteenth festival, the modular bookstore will be utilized at conferences, pop-ups, and other events, furthering Rooted MKE’s mission of offering a community space where families can gather and share experiences centered around literacy. Learn more about this inclusive and nurturing space for Milwaukee’s youth here.

HGA’s Community Action program invests time, resources, and expertise to create positive local impact in the communities where we live and work through days of service, pro-bono design services, design workshops, and outreach.  

For more than 35 years, Vallarta Supermarkets has been bringing families together over fresh and authentic food that celebrates the culture, colors, and vibrant energy of Mexico and Latin America. HGA attended the grand opening of Vallarta Supermarkets’ new headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. Designed by HGA, the space is welcoming and approachable with soft colors, natural materials, and living plants evoking a beach resort. Spanning 51,350 square feet across three floors, the headquarters features open and closed office layouts, formal meeting spaces, and casual interaction areas. The first floor features a home kitchen-inspired breakroom with long communal tables, connected to a narrow outdoor amenity space and a test kitchen for in-house product development. The second and third floors have coffee lounges, with the third floor hosting a club lounge for executive functions. Sustainable design strategies were implemented throughout to promote employee well-being, such as access to daylight and materials selected to minimize harmful chemicals and promote healthy indoor air. Read more about the highly functional, future-facing headquarters that will foster a sense of belonging and community for employees and visitors alike here. 

HGA took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly completed Fitz Apartment Building in Milwaukee alongside partners, Three Leaf Development and Catalyst Construction. Located in the Downer Avenue Historic District, the U-shaped building’s refined brick façade blends seamlessly with adjacent historic brick buildings. Beginning with a complex rezoning process to increase the number of apartments allowed on the site, the project will add to progress currently being made toward the City’s comprehensive plan to increase density and expand the number of housing types available on the northeast side. The high-end apartments offer units from studios to two bedrooms and include underground parking and amenities such as a fitness room, a club room, and a secured package room. Land for The Fitz Apartment Buildings was purchased from the neighboring St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, with proceeds used to fund a more right-sized parish hall, currently under construction and also designed by HGA. Read more about the newly opened apartment community, here.

Norman Regional and OU Health’s new Stephenson Cancer Center is set to elevate cancer care in Oklahoma with a state-of-the-art facility located on the Norman Regional HealthPlex campus. HGA’s team attended a topping-off ceremony to celebrate the completion of the building’s exterior, marked by placing of the final construction beam. The 50,000-square-foot, cutting-edge facility will offer comprehensive services, including surgical and medical oncology, as well as radiation therapy. The Center’s interior will feature light and uplifting elements with soft, natural tones and textures, complemented by intentional pops of color to create an inviting and soothing environment for patients, families, and staff. Large windows will offer abundant daylight in patient and public spaces along with views of a reflection pond. The Center, expected to open in 2025, will offer advanced cancer treatments and technology and bring specialized cancer treatment closer to home for Norman residents and the south-central Oklahoma region.