Architect brings new life to historic bank building

The 94-year-old Grafton State Bank building that has been vacant since 2009 is getting a facelift.

Josh Wadzinski of Think Design, an architectural firm based in Glendale, is renovating the structure that was originally built in 1926. Wadzinski said he wants to eventually move his office to the historic building and use it as a showpiece for clients.  

“It’s been one of the most complicated historic buildings I’ve worked on because people treated it so poorly over the years,” Wadzinski said. “This is the first opportunity I’ve had to tackle a project like this.”

Village of Grafton Community Development Director Jessica Wolff said the village has been seeking a suitable tenant for a number of years. Three years ago, the village’s Community Development Authority considered purchasing the property in order to renovate it for sale.

“It’s incredible for Grafton to have someone who values the old bank building and is willing to put blood, sweat, tears and resources to bring it back to life. We are very fortunate,” Wolff said.

Last month, crews tore out windows and are currently replacing the building’s internal steel structure and adding a second-level mezzanine. A vault is also being converted into a restroom. Wadzinski said he expects the project to be complete by August.

The building at 1238 12th Ave. is in Grafton’s downtown business district and is across the street from the Paramount Plaza. Wadzinski said he plans to occupy half of the space and wants to eventually land a second or third tenant.

“I’m looking for someone compatible with my use. Otherwise, anything you can think of within reason could go into that space. It could even be a restaurant,” he said. “The building can actually be divided into three spaces, which is how I’m restoring it because there are so many ins and outs of the building.”

In the 1960s, when the building was Ozaukee Bank, the former Grafton Post Office that was built next door in 1906 was attached to the structure. At the time, the building had a gold facade, which no longer remains but still poses some exterior renovation challenges.

“The gold panels actually helped preserve the building. The only drawback is they put a bunch of fasteners into the masonry to hold the panels on and water was beginning to damage the brick,” Wadzinski said. “We got there right in time and caught it before it started.”

Wadzinski said he has been seeking to renovate a historic building between Glendale and Grafton for three years because he wants to capitalize on commercial and residential projects north of Milwaukee.

 “I think there are some great markets here, especially on the high-end housing side. I think there are some markets that are not really being serviced and I would love to tap into those,” Wadzinski said.

“That’s one of the reasons I didn’t shy away from Grafton. I always liked the area, and I see there being an opportunity because all of the architects went and located in Walker’s Point or the Third Ward.”

Wadzinski has been an architect for 20 years and started his company nine years ago. He said his architectural style consists of boutique commercial and heirloom-quality residential.

“The idea is we like to work on buildings that are unique,” he said. “We’re not cranking out cookie cutters.”

Wadzinski said he was surprised the building has been vacant for more than a decade, but understands the intricacies of the project are better suited for an owner who has a background in architecture.

“I think it’s the complexity and cost for a regular person to do it that really prevented it from ever getting off the ground,” he said. “The interior was completely gutted and demolished in 2009 and it’s been sitting that way ever since.”

With its location in downtown Grafton, Wadzinski said he hopes the renovations will help draw more people to the area.

“There’s a lot of traffic that goes past the building and the downtown area has really become a popular destination in recent years,” he said. “I hope my work on this historic building will add to the energy here.”