Lakefront Gateway Plaza

The GRAEF team was recently awarded the design of the Downtown Lakefront Gateway Plaza after a national design competition in which 24 firms vied for the opportunity to design a signature public plaza at the Milwaukee lakefront. There are three central themes that underpin the GRAEF team’s design.

Reconnect. Reconnection of Milwaukee’s urban core and the lakefront with experiential and a more abstracted reconnection to some of Milwaukee’s formative history.

Celebrate. This design celebrates many aspects of Milwaukee, which include water (a lifeblood of the city); safe harbor (along the western shores of Lake Michigan); and a celebration of the city and its connection to Lake Michigan.

Activate. The Gateway Plaza will be active, urban, fun, and compelling. The design intent is to achieve a year-round experience for users of all ages and develop a framework for well programmed, memorable and highly enjoyable experiences, as well as the incorporation of social and cultural aspects of Milwaukee.