Author: Josh Stopar

JCP Construction served as the General Contractor for The Bindery, an award-winning historic preservation and adaptive reuse project located at 347 E. Ward Street in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood. Working closely with Galbraith Carnahan Architects, JCP led the transformation of the city’s last traditional book bindery — originally a windowless industrial space last renovated in 1973 — into a vibrant 8,475-square-foot hub for writers, typographers, and printmakers.

The project preserved the building’s historic character while introducing modern functionality, breathing new life into the space as a dynamic coworking and arts center. By honoring the building’s legacy and incorporating its original equipment, The Bindery now serves as a creative anchor for the community, blending craftsmanship, culture, and collaboration under one roof.

The African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (AACCW) partnered with JCP Construction to bring to life a vibrant coworking and entrepreneurship hub in the heart of Milwaukee’s historic Martin Luther King Drive corridor. This 4,212-square-foot facility was designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and economic growth for emerging businesses.

In addition to the modern coworking environment, the building houses the AACCW’s headquarters and SHARED, a state-of-the-art community commercial kitchen that provides food entrepreneurs with the resources to develop, scale, and launch their businesses.

As General Contractor, JCP Construction is proud to have delivered a project that not only supports small business development but also strengthens the ecosystem of diverse entrepreneurs shaping Milwaukee’s future.

JCP Construction served as Joint General Contractor with C.G. Schmidt on ThriveOn King, a landmark $150 million, 450,000-square-foot redevelopment of the historic Gimbels-Schuster’s building in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville district. The project combines adaptive reuse with new construction to deliver a dynamic mix of commercial, office, and residential space.

The commercial phase—completed in April 2024—includes headquarters for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and offices for the Medical College of Wisconsin, along with community-centered spaces that promote collaboration, innovation, and equitable development. The 89-unit residential component was completed in early 2025.

JCP Construction led the transformation of a 90-year-old, two story former bank at 3318 N. MLK Jr. Drive in Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood into the new global headquarters for Bader Philanthropies. The $9–9.5 million project (started spring 2017, completed July 2018) included a sensitive renovation preserving the historic façade and structural elements, a modern addition featuring a kosher kitchen, collaborative “Hub” space, conference rooms, offices, and support for community-focused amenities such as a café and wellness center.