Freshpack South Plant Renovation Starting Up

Our new client, Freshpack, has selected Kraemer Brothers to remodel their south plant. Measuring 11,300 square feet, the project will be split into two phases. The first phase, on the west wing of the building, includes demolishing existing walls, ceilings, and MEP systems and converting them into one large production room. The second phase, on the east wing, will consist of demolishing existing walls and removing the concrete floor slab as needed. A new stainless steel drainage system will be installed, and a concrete slab will be poured back into the demolished areas, enhancing an existing production room. Coolers on both wings will have select overhead doors removed and filled in. Insulated metal panels will line the walls, and epoxy flooring will be installed in each production room. Future phases consist of relocating the north wing of the building to another area on the property and replacing its current location with a 42,000 square foot, dry, cold, and finished goods storage addition. A new centralized employee entryway and administrative space will also be created in this addition. Freshpack is a custom packaging and cheese production company located in Monticello. Their custom packaging services include cutting & wrapping goods, converting the goods into a grated or crumbled state, and portion-controlled grab ‘n go snack kits. Their cheese production side focuses on blending dips and spreads.

Reedsburg Area Medical Center Nearly Enclosed

Our latest project at Reedsburg Area Medical Center is going up rapidly. Structural steel has finished up, and the exterior of the building is nearly enclosed. Roofing and concrete topping pours are starting this month. The installation of the exterior masonry veneer will begin in spring after the air and vapor barrier has been installed. This two-story clinic will feature over 50 exam rooms, provider offices, a community pharmacy, and shelled space for future build-outs. The primary clinic will focus on space for women’s health, diabetic care, primary care, rehabilitation, behavioral health, and walk-in care. Unique to this rural health clinic, the exam rooms feature a double-sided exam room, with one door leading to the patient hallway and the other to the care team workspace. Creating an inviting environment, entries to each corridor include wood paneling with stainless steel accents, graphics, and LED lighting. This primary clinic marks our 13th project for Reedsburg Area Medical Center over our 31-year relationship!

New Glarus Primary School Update

Our crews at New Glarus Elementary School are taking advantage of the mild weather in February. This project started in October with the earthwork finishing up in December. Just prior to the earthwork finishing, we started the foundations and interior structural pads. Currently, the exterior two-station gymnasium bearing walls are wrapping up with masons now focusing on the rest of the exterior walls and interior bearing walls. Structural steel is scheduled to start this month and continue throughout March. Comprised of brick and metal wall panels, the exterior of the building aims to match the existing structure. Next to the new centralized entry, storefront glass windows bring in ample daylight into the cafeteria. The addition is designed with all 4K – 2nd grade classrooms featuring exterior windows. Each grade has its own collaboration space and cubby lockers. Also included in the project are administrative offices, a speech therapy classroom, and mechanical penthouses.

2023 ABC Projects of Distinction Awards

ABC of Wisconsin honored Kraemer Brothers with four awards at the annaual Projects of Distinction Excellence in Construction awards banquet. The Projects of Distinction Awards recognizes construction projects that are built on merit and are judged by a panel of construction experts based on several criteria, including quality, owner satisfaction, unusual challenges, safety, and sustainability. The projects awarded at the banquet include Kickapoo Area School District Aquatics Renovation, Promega Alan Turing Center Addition & Renovation, Mill Creek Academy, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Addition & Renovation.

For more information about each project, make sure to check out each project portfolio!

https://www.kraemerbrothers.com/portfolio/kickapoo-area-school-district-aquatics-facility-renovation/

Mill Creek Academy

EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

Mill creek academy

Waukesha, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Andrus Architecture

Square Footage

42,750

MILL CREEK ACADEMY

New Charter School

Mill Creek Academy, a tuition-free public charter school, is the first school built by National Heritage Academies in Wisconsin and the 101st developed by this nationwide organization. The building’s footprint is in the shape of an “H,” allowing natural light into each classroom. Hosting grades 4K through 8, this school features over 30 classrooms, student support areas, administrative spaces, and a large gymnasium in the middle. The classroom design supports Mill Creek Academy’s goal of small group instruction, independent learning practices, and one-on-one teaching. Lap siding accented by stone masonry creates the exterior façade, while cedar trusses and beams provide an inviting entrance to the school. Based on the traditional congestion associated with student drop-off and pick-up, Mill Creek Academy took an innovative approach by implementing multiple drop-off lanes and safe exchange areas, enabling staff to welcome students and parents during busy times. The water table was extremely high on the undeveloped land, so we constructed four bio-retention ponds to overcome this obstacle. As a nationwide charter school organization, we were thrilled to hear this was one of their best building experiences over the past 28 years!

From the Client

I strive to find the best local talent and craftsmen capable of completing our schools to the highest standards, within budget, and on schedule. Kraemer Brothers met all those requirements and exceeded my expectations. Regardless of the condition or location, no shortcuts were taken. From breaking ground to the last coat of paint, the jobsite was always clean and safe. Overall, the project sequencing, management, and execution delivered by Kraemer Brothers elevates the industry and sets a standard for others to strive to achieve.

Jacques Soumis
Construction Project Manager | National Heritage Academies

Great Wolf Resorts

HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO

GREAT WOLF RESORTS

Scotrun, PA

Overview

ARCHITECT

Architectural Design Consultants, Inc.

Square Footage

617,000

GREAT WOLF RESORTS

Hotel, Waterpark, and Restaurant

Nestled in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, Great Wolf Resorts selected Kraemer Brothers to renovate and expand this popular resort we originally built for them in 2004. This massive project included work in four areas—waterpark, lobby, hotel, and site. The indoor waterpark doubled in size, including seven new slides and an indoor/outdoor restaurant. Precast concrete panels, EIFS, clerestory windows, and stone veneer make up the addition’s exterior, while glulam beams, wood decking, and painted murals provide a joyful atmosphere inside the waterpark. A five-phase project transformed the existing lobby and registration into a new grand lobby. Two restaurants elevate guests’ dining experience with a casual yet elegant combination. An expansion to the Northern Lights Arcade and event space now provides entertainment for both kids and adults. The porte cochère was widened, now creating four drive lanes for travelers arriving at the resort. The seven-story Mountain Tower includes 202 suites with four different layouts to accommodate families of all sizes and ages.

The hotel bathrooms were constructed off-site in prefabricated pods, complete with flooring, wallcoverings, and fixtures. The pods simply needed to be placed and connected. This method contributed to a cleaner and safer work environment, helped reduce labor, materials, waste, and costs, and increased speed to occupancy. Fiber cement siding, large windows, and stone cover the exterior of the additions, creating a rustic look that complements the existing design. We first completed floors one through four in the hotel tower, allowing Great Wolf to occupy those spaces while we finished the above three floors. The massive sitework included adding over 450 parking stalls, relocating a ropes course, and managing stormwater on this mountainous site. Kraemer Brothers overcame great adversity with unforeseen rock excavation, concrete supply issues, and long material lead times. With four projects occurring simultaneously, we provided phasing plans, installed temporary partition walls, and updated schedules in real time, allowing our client to remain operational with over 90% occupancy throughout construction! In combination of the initial construction in 2004, and the recently finished 2023 project, this Kraemer Brothers has constructed over 617,000 square feet and 603 suites at this location.

Kraemer Brothers has also constructed projects for Great Wolf in Lake Delton, WI and Concord, NC.

Royall Schools Taking Shape

The Royall Schools Addition project is starting to take shape. Measuring 28,500 square feet, this addition will connect the Elementary School to the Middle/High School. Featuring a 2-station fieldhouse, this project also encompases a centralized entrance, district offices, reception areas, and an agricultural classroom. Adding a decorative touch to the building, the entryway includes a covered canopy, while the fieldhouse consists of translucent panels on the front end, allowing daylight to shine into the gymnasium. Creating a seamless connection, the exterior brick masonry was hand selected to match both existing buildings. While roofing and masonry veneer are ongoing, concrete slab-on-grade pours have started and are continuing throughout the end of December. Installation of the translucent panels, aluminum entrances, and windows are scheduled to start soon, leading into the middle of January. Interior painting will follow all of these milestones.

Tru by Hilton – Lake Delton

HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO

TRU BY HILTON - LAKE DELTON

Lake Delton, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Architectural Design Consultants, Inc.

Square Footage

46,775

TRU BY HILTON

Hotel

Located next door to Hampton Inn & Suites we constructed for our client seven years ago, Tru by Hilton finished in an aggressive 11-month schedule. Consisting of 100 suites ranging from King, Queen, and ADA accessible in each size, the rooms are equipped with modern fixtures and furnishings. A circular front desk with a snack and coffee bar invite traveling guests entering through the front entrance. The lobby features multiple amenities, including a dining area, business center, game room, extra seating, and a mural depicting the nearby Wisconsin Dells community. A fitness center and indoor pool provide access to fitness and recreation, while an outdoor patio adds a relaxation option to guests. The exterior of the building includes a combination of masonry veneer, metal panels, and vibrant-colored EIFS. Budgeted during high inflation, Kraemer Brothers explored different structural systems and selected a wood-framed package when lumber prices decreased to a stable market. The hotel provides high visibility from the highway and is close to nearby waterparks and attractions. Matching Hilton’s brand standards, the modern and colorful design sets this hotel apart from nearby hospitality offerings.

Reedsburg Area Medical Center Groundbreaking Ceremony

Reedsburg Area Medical Center recently held their groundbreaking ceremony for a new Primary Clinic addition located at their hospital. Staff, members of the RAMC board, community leaders, and personnel from EUA and Kraemer Brothers lined up in the area of new construction. This new Primary Clinic addition will feature over 50 exam rooms, procedure rooms, consultation rooms, multiple teamwork rooms, and provider offices. The building will encompass areas for a family practice clinic, pharmacy, diabetic care, behavioral health, women’s health, imaging, administrative support spaces, telehealth offices, and space for future build-outs. We are excited to continue our 30-year relationship with this client. Thank you to all who attended this monumental event!

Colorado Commons Update

Located in the growing City of Sun Prairie, Colorado Commons will meet the ever-increasing housing demands in the area. Featuring 108 units consisting of studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites, this 144,000 square foot multi-family complex will also include lower-level underground parking. The roof and window installation has finished, making way for the exterior masonry veneer and fiber cement lap siding. Inside MEP rough-ins are ongoing and will continue into early November. Drywall installation has started in the units and will continue after the MEP rough-ins are complete. Painting will start after the drywall install, followed by doors and hardware, cabinets, and flooring. Future phases will include a clubhouse and additional units.