Kenosha Innovation Center

The former Chrysler plant site in Kenosha, Wisconsin is being transformed into the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, revitalizing a property that sat vacant after the plant’s demolition in 2012. The redevelopment will feature office and incubator space for startups, educational facilities, commercial and residential uses, medical office space, and thoughtfully integrated green space. One of the first major facilities completed within the neighborhood is the Kenosha Innovation Center, a cornerstone project for the overall development.

GRAEF provided full structural engineering and steel detailing services for the 64,000-square-foot Kenosha Innovation Center. The building showcases a distinct, forward-thinking architectural design centered on innovation. Its gently curved form incorporates both functional and aesthetic elements, including a central atrium, rooftop patio, and an exposed monumental staircase. GRAEF worked closely with the City and project architects to uphold the project’s design vision while delivering an efficient and constructible structural system.

Challenging subsurface conditions required the use of Geopier® ground improvement to enhance the soil’s load-bearing capacity. GRAEF designed a shallow foundation system using spread footings and mat foundations. Above grade, the structure consists of a composite steel system with masonry shear walls and steel braced frames. A prominent feature is the large cantilever at the building’s south end, where each upper floor extends beyond the level below. This geometry demanded detailed structural analysis and careful coordination across analytical and Revit models.

The building also frames a landscaped amphitheater, which required the design of two 120-foot-long trusses spanning the stage area. Many structural elements—braced frames, trusses, and major connections—were intentionally left exposed, requiring attention to both performance and aesthetics throughout the design.

Construction began in July 2024 and was completed in October 2025. Today, the Kenosha Innovation Center serves as a focal point within the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, providing a dynamic environment that supports entrepreneurship, collaboration, and long-term community growth.