Hunzinger Construction Company is thrilled that one of our notable projects from the past year has been recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal with a 2017 Real Estate Award. All of the winners were profiled in the Milwaukee Business Journal’s April 13th issue and honored at an awards luncheon held at the Pfister Hotel.
When Make-A-Wish Wisconsin desperately needed to move out of their cramped second floor office space in Butler, WI where they had been located since their creation in 1985, Patti Gorsky, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin turned to firms that had long standing relationships with them over the years – NAI MLG Commercial real estate brokers, Hunzinger Construction Company general contractors/design builders, Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA), JCI and M & M Office Interiors, among other supporters.
Hunzinger Construction Company Director of Business Development Frank Falsetti served as Owner’s Representative and led the effort to guide Make-A-Wish Wisconsin™ through a number of months’ long search and planning process that resulted in the identification of the West Plank Court site in Wauwatosa as the perfect site. Jack Jacobson, Principal of NAI MLG Commercial was engaged by MAW to exclusively represent them in the search. Jack cast a very wide net and received 3 competitive RFP’s that met MAW’s criteria including the requirement that the office be on a single level with first floor, easy accessible entry for children and volunteers. The new office would also need to be close to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, a close partner of MAW. The winning proposal was submitted by Somerset Properties and is located at 11020 West Plank Court in Wauwatosa, WI.
The West Plank Court site was perfect because the move places MAW offices closer to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, meets all accessibility requirements, has convenient attached warehouse space with easy loading to service events and creates more space for future growth.
Once the site was selected, Eppstein Uhen Architects finalized the design and M&M Office Interiors completed the interior design, the space planning and provided all the furniture for the new MAW offices. Johnson Controls, Inc. donated the new Luxaire rooftop HVAC units that Capital Heating and Cooling installed. Kohl’s Corporation got involved by donating racks for the warehouse and new and expanded “toy closets” for the Wish Children located within the new offices.
Hunzinger served as self-performing construction manager for this new 10,000 SF interior office build out that was completely rebuilt in a little over two months. Ryan O’Toole who heads up Hunzinger’s Interiors Division and has been a Make-A-Wish volunteer for almost 15 years was the Project Manager.
The primary intent of the planning and design always put the children and their wish experience at the forefront, so the project included drastically improved parent-child interaction space, a large secured “toy” closet for the wish kids and a large storage space to help support their outreach and fundraising activities. The project also included new work stations, offices, restrooms, a conference and video training room, volunteer work area and break room and welcoming lobby. Hunzinger self-performed all rough and finish carpentry, some selective demo, masonry and concrete work.
All the professional service firms donated back their commission fees and many like M&M Office Interiors, JCI and Hunzinger donated products as well as service fees.
The completion of this project and the move into their larger, more accessible office allows for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin’s strategic growth. Since the move to their new offices, MAW has been able increase their staff by 10% which has resulted in 27 ADDITIONAL WISHES GRANTED IN 2016 bringing their total to 378 this year, up from 351 in 2015.
ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH WISCONSIN
Since Make-A-Wish Wisconsin’s founding in 1984, more than 5,700 children and their families throughout the state have experienced the transformative power of a wish. This year, Make-A-Wish®Wisconsin granted a record-breaking 378 wishes – more than a wish a day!
Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin is dedicated to mission and vision which ensures every medically-eligible child has the opportunity to have his or her wish come true.
Make-A-Wish Wisconsin is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with the help of a Board of Advisors to help ensure the Chapter is run effectively, efficiently and fulfills its mission.
As responsible stewards of the funds they raise, MAW strives to keep their administrative and fundraising costs to a minimum so a vast majority of every dollar goes directly towards wish granting. More than 81% of all funds raised goes directly to wish granting.