Block 89

The redevelopment of this historic block, located opposite the State Capitol in downtown Madison, includes a combination of new construction, renovation and historic preservation. The 500,000+ SF mixed use project is thoughtfully designed to preserve the traditional scale of the block while integrating a modern architectural expression.

At the start, an imagined pattern of “lot lines” was laid over the site. These parcels varied in size and orientation to reflect either existing conditions or important planning opportunities. Four new buildings and three existing buildings surround the block, centered around a new 770-car below grade parking structure and shared infrastructure.

Although Block 89 is fully integrated in plan and function, the architecture of the buildings was considered lot by lot.  Each façade considers the height, materials and character of its neighbor, yet each is different in some way.  Instead of a monumental image featuring a single amplified voice, Block 89 is a chorus of different voices.  The result is a composition which reflects the history of the Square, a sympathetic collection of building elements, each well-designed in and of itself, and functioning as a whole.