City of Appleton, Houdini Plaza

Hitchcock Design Group was retained by the City of Appleton to lead the planning and design of Houdini Plaza. The plaza, named in honor of famed magician and former resident Harry Houdini, served as a connector between the public and private destinations in the City’s downtown. After coordinating stakeholder and public input meetings, the team designed a space that serves as an everyday, four-season magnet for office workers, shoppers and visitors and is also able to accommodate significant community events such as Farm Markets and weekly summer concerts. Since its opening, the plaza has become an integral part of downtown Appleton.

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Steve Gulden

“Some architects will just say ‘how dare you!’ but Hitchcock encourages changes. Relationships and creativity is what it boils down to—it’s why I like them the best and what sets them apart from others.”

Steve Gulden
Village Manager, Village of Romeoville

Tim Brennan

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Tim Brennan
Senior Associate/Retail Practice Area Leader, Gensler

Doug Sampson

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Doug Sampson
University Architect/Director-Missouri State University

Jonathan Kubow

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Jonathan Kubow
Development Manager, Lennar Multifamily Communities

Patrick Lyons

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Patrick Lyons
Director of Construction-Advocate Healthcare

Mike DeRouin

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Mike DeRouin
President, FitzGerald Associates

Cee Cee Hodgson

“Their work comes with a level of empathy with the user to say ‘it’s more than plants. How can this be an uplifting space? How can this invigorate someone?’ That’s different. That’s unique.”

Cee Cee Hodgson
Lead Architect–C.C. Hodgson Architectural Group

Ann Ziegelmaier

“Communication, creativity, meeting timeliness, meeting institutional expectations; we’re not an easy client. Hitchcock goes out of their way to work with us.”

Ann Ziegelmaier
Landscape Architect-Northwestern University

Jim Basala

“Hitchcock thinks beyond straight lines and 90-degree angles.”

Jim Basala
COO, Lake County Parks & Recreation Dept.

Craig Phillips

“One of Hitchcock’s strengths is the amount of work they put in when they’re getting to know a community. They show you they really understand the issues your community is considering. They’re very thorough in their approach. It’s clear they’ve done their homework.”

Craig Phillips
Town Manager, City of St. John