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Dr. E. J. and Margaret O’Brien Hall, the home of Marquette Business, was recognized by the City of Milwaukee as part of the 27th annual Mayor’s Design Awards.
One of 20 projects recognized, O’Brien Hall was selected under the “Urbanism Redefined” category, which spotlights projects that “have made extraordinary contributions to the city’s built environment by constructing or restoring places that repair, restore, or enhance the urban fabric, expand opportunities for education or employment, and facilitate social connections; while raising the bar for major development and contemporary architecture in the city.”
An in-person ceremony to recognize the winners was held Friday, May 17, at the UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning.
O’Brien Hall, the largest fully donor-funded construction project in university history, opened its doors to students, faculty and staff in January 2023. The $60 million, 100,000 square-foot facility was built for the future with maximum flexibility and state-of-the-art, globally connective technology, anchoring the west gateway to campus.
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The building has previously been recognized with a 2023 American Institute of Architects Wisconsin Honor Award, a Daily Reporter 2023 Top Project and a 2023 Milwaukee Business Journal Real Estate Award.
Last week, O’Brien Hall was additionally recognized by the Wisconsin Masonry Alliance as “Best in Show” and “Excellence in Clay Masonry.” The Marquette team has presented the project at numerous conferences, including the Society for College and University Planning regional conference, Tradeline Facilities Conference and upcoming at the SCUP National Conference in Pittsburgh in July.